AWDML Design Team Blog

Tutorial Challenge: Stitch With Your Stamps!

Hi guys, it's Erica!

   Today's challenge is to stitch on your projects using your stamped images as a guide.  This is a very easy technique that adds quite a lot of wow to your images. 
 
   You'll want to start out with a stamped image that has nice clean lines.  I chose one of the cupcakes in the Susie Surprise set from The Greeting Farm.  I'd also suggest a light colored ink so it doesn't show up under your stitching.  I chose a slightly darker color than normal so it would show up better for you all.  :D
  
 

Okay, lets get started.  First, stamp your image on your cardstock. 

Next, grab your paper piercer and poke evenly spaced holes following the lines of the image. 

Make sure you have a stitch hole on any indents in the image like the points on the frosting and any parts of the image that stick out.  You want your stitched line to curve around the rounded edges. 

Make sure you poke the holes ahead of time and not as you go, it's much easier.  :)  Also, you want your holes to be close together but not so close that the paper tears when you stitch it. 

Tape the end of your stitching to the back of the cardstock and then trim the ends. 

Here's a quick how-to on backstitching. 

Step one, come up through your first hole. 

Then, down through the next. 

Back up through the next hole,
  

and down through the previous one.

And so on...

and so forth.  ;) 

It's a very easy stitch which is probably why I love it so much!  :D 
 

Here's the finished cupcake.  (It's got chocolate frosting, yum!)
  

I then cut out the cupcake using my Nestabilities, then ran it through again with the embossing mat and stitched along the embossed line.  I then mounted that on the patterned paper from the We R Memory Keepers Explore line.

I used a very cute border punch on the patterned paper and mounted it with pop dots on the card base.  I also stitched a line around the edge of the card base. 

And here's the finished card.  :)
 

I hope you'll take the challenge and stitch with your stamps!  If you do, post your card or layout creation in our gallery and comment on this blog post with a link to it. 

I can't wait to see what you make!

ps~Remember, today is the last day to get We R Memory Keepers and The Greeting Farm products, like the ones I used on my card, for 25% off!

Product Reveiw - The Little Yellow Bicycle Clothesline Collection

Hi Everybody!! Hope you are enjoying this last bit of April.

Today I want to share a new favorite for me... the Clothesline Collection by The Little Yellow Bicycle.  have you seen this line??  OMGosh Golly it is purely delightful!

Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what I am talking about:

Aren't these colors perfect for Spring time photos or even baby photos?? This tablet comes with paper in a wonderful assortment of shapes and pre-cut holes for easy use in mini albums.

And check out this ribbon:

It must be the teacher in me, but I am a sucker for the ruler ribbon!!  It is so cute and the colors of ric rac highlight the papers perfectly.

Like stick pins??  Well, they have those for this collection as well!

 

It was hard for me to choose just one image of the patterned papers to share with you, but if I had to choose, the following would be my pick:

First of all my fav color is green and I love ledger type papers, but there is also some images of ladies on this as well.  Oh so yummy!!

So, have I sold you yet?  Well, if you absolutely need more convincing on this line, let me just tell you it is an absolute match made in heaven to go along with the American Crafts Dear Lizzy line!!  The colors and patterns work really well together.

I chose to blend these two as well, using more of The Little Yellow Bicycle papers than American Crafts to get a more Shabby Chic type look, while still staying true to my love of whimsical features.  Here's  a LO I created so you could see this all in action:

Now, I know after seeing what a beautiful creation you can make with this line you are going to head right on over to the store and pick yourself up some Little Yellow Bicycle Clothesline goodies!!!

Happy Scrappin'! ~ Scarlett

NSD BLOG HOP

In honor of National Scrapbook Day, we are hosting a weekend blog hop! Starting with the AWDML DT Blog, you will visit each of the Design Team Member Blogs listed below. Each Designer will have a great challenge posted with an example. Then you will have till Tuesday, May 4th at midnight to complete the challenges and post them at the AWDML DT Blog. We will have a reply box to post your creations. A great prize is being offered by the AWDML store!

Prize will be awarded by random draw from projects linked to the AWDML DT Blog by the deadline above.

Make sure to visit every blog to get your challenges for the weekend.

Our DT members may be offering RAKs for stopping by their blog, so be sure to read through the entire post in each blog!

Come and Join us on May 1st at AWDML DT Blog
 

Tips & Tutorials - More Fun Flowers!

I have some more quick & easy flowers for you to make - after all - isn't that what Spring is all about?

Flower #1 -

Step #1 - Punch out 3 different sized circles from coordinating patterned paper

Step #2 - Cut pieces out of circles on the diagonal being careful not to cross center line

Step #3 - Bend up flower petals slightly

Step #4 - Stack on top of each other using pop-dots and top with a button!

Products used for sample #1:

My Minds Eye Just Dreamy 2 - http://www.awalkdownmemorylane.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=62&sort=20a&filter_id=480&alpha_filter_id=0

Flower #2 

Step #1 - Gather 3-4 different size journaling circles & button

Step #2 - Dip journaling cicles in water and tap off excess

Step #3 - Distress by crumpling up in a ball and then carefully unfolding - you can add more distressing with the edge of your scissors if desired

Step #4 - Layer with pop-dots and add button

Products Used for Sample #2: Jillibean Sprouts Journaling Spots - http://www.awalkdownmemorylane.net/store/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=jillibean+sprouts

Jillibean Soup Kraft Paper - http://www.awalkdownmemorylane.net/store/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=jillibean+kraft

Enjoy!

Kim :)

Made you look Monday: Let's get sassy!!!

Well it's another wonderful week here at A Walk Down Memory Lane.  This week i'm feeling a little "sassy" so how about some Sassafras Lass.  For this layout I used the "Owl Pals" line.  I love the pink and brown combination together, not to mention the cute little owls on the page.  I am taking DD and 2 of her friend to see Justin Bieber and simply had to use this paper for the layout of her with her tickets!!!!  I loved the play on words I could use with the owl and "Hoo" in the title!!!!

Other supplies used on this layout:  Thickers, Cosmo Cricket - tiny type letters, ric rak, Pink Paislee letters, and a gel pen around the arrow.

Hope you've enjoyed this layout, stop by the forum & gallery and show me has "sassy" you are!!

~~Stacy~~

Altered Challenge: Gift card holders

Hey there fellow scrapers.  I know that gift cards are a huge hit with my DD for gifts.  Somtimes I just don't like to put them in her card.  It's sooooo boring.   They need to be a little more fun when they are given.  So this is my challenge to you.  Create a fun way to give a gift card to someone.  I altered this fun tin and the gift card fits perfectly inside.

Here is the tin before I began to play with it.

 
  DD has a birthday party for a friend coming up, so I wanted to make it a little fun and use girl colors.  I used Sassafras Lass pattern paper & chipboard stickers from the Hog Heaven line.  Then I added a couple ofpearls, a little ric rak, and some gell pen action around the outside of the circle.  And this is what I came up with.

 
   Now i'm sure you all know of someone who is having a birthday soon.  So let's see those fabulous gift card holders that you are all going to give out!!

~~Stacy~~

Product Review: Clear Boxes for Cards

 Hi guys, it's Erica! 

I've got a quick product review for you today that's going to come in very handy this season. 

I found these clear boxes for cards in the card supplies section over at the AWDML store, along with quite a few other goodies that you really need to check out!  ;)  I found card kits, card bases, envelopes and even envelope templates!  But, lets get back to the clear boxes.  :)

These beauties are great!  They are actually truly clear, not tinted like the above picture shows, and they are only $.75 each!  They are the perfect way to present someone with a selection of your own handmade cards.  This box fits quite a few A2 sized cards and envelopes and there is another size for you larger cards that runs $1.25.  Either box is a great way to add a lot of punch to a card gift set for a small amount of money. 

I packaged up a bunch of birthday cards for my Grandmother to send to her friends.  I'm going to give them to her for Mother's Day or her birthday. 

I decorated the out side of the box with a strip of cardstock layered over a border punched strip of cardstock and mounted a sentiment stamped on a label shape cut out with my Slice on the front. 

  

If you don't have a birthday or two coming up you could also package up some thank you cards for bridal and baby showers or some cute monogrammed cards as a wedding present.

I hope this helps you out with any gift giving you need to do this season!  :D

Tuesday's Tip and Technique - Creating Custom Buttons

Hi Everybody!!  Hope Spring is treating you kindly and you are enjoying some lovely weather. 

How many of you have clear buttons in your stash?? That's it raise your hands, it's ok... LOL!!  I know I am right there with you on having a ton in my stash.  They have sat in their little bin for oh so long just waiting to adorn one of my projects.  So I thought it was about time to bust them out.

My tip/technique for you today is to dress up those clear buttons.  You can do this by putting paper behind them, stamping on them, even using alcohol inks!!

Here's a picture of a few I made:

Aren't they cute??!  For the paper backed ones, I used paper from the American Crafts Dear Lizzy line for the one with the bicycle and Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety mini deck for the lil' chick.  For stamping on the buttons, you are going to need StazOn ink.  I love this ink because it allows me to stamp on whatever my lil' heart desires!  I would highly recommend you also pick yourself up some of the StazOn All Purpose Cleaner.

Hope you enjoy creating your own buttons as much as I have.  I think they will make great accents to projects!

Until next time, Happy Scrappin'~Scarlett

Made You Look Monday!

It's Monday and it's my turn to share with you something I LOVE in the store! This is easy for me, because I can tell you, that I LOVE ALMOST ANYTHING! hehehe --- okay, well if I have to choose something particular, it has to be the new Basic Grey Acrylic Stamps!

$1.79 is all you are going to pay for each adorable stamp set! At that price you don't even have to make hard choices between the sets, you can get them all!

The Epsilon ones are all adorable - here are a few of my favorites:

I

n addition, the Delta stamps are great for special occasions and cards:

 

There are so many great stamps in the store right now and these Basic Grey ones are some of my favorites!

Don't forget to stock up on ink pads too!

Happy Stamping! Kim :)

Spring Color Challenge!

What are my favorite things about spring?  Hmmmmm..... the longer days, the sun, the rain, the anticipation of summer --- yep, there is a lot to love about springtime!  I love that spring is a transition from the cold, dreary days of winter to the warm, bright days of summer.  The grass starts growing along with the flowers and trees, the sun shines till early evening, and the sounds of kids playing streams into my house from the park nearby.  But, let's not forget about all that rain --- the rain that nourishes all those wonderful plants but also creates lots of puddles to splash in.  I love a good spring rain shower. 

The color challenge this month is all about the stuff that spring is made of:

At first glance --- that might not seem very much like spring to you. But to me ---- yep that is a Northwest Spring Color pallette all the way. The deep red is for all of the gorgeous Skagit Valley Tulips that are in bloom, the soft yellow for all the cheerful Daffodils of the season, and that brown ----- well, that brown represents all the mud that sticks around until the summer comes and drys us out!  Yep, the Northwest is famous for it's rainfall and the spring is no exception!

My example for you today is created with some yummy Jillibean Soup New England Clam Chowder. It is full of bright yellow & red on some really "muddy" kraft paper! Perfect for our spring color challenge today!

So play along and have some fun with our spring color challenge.  Post your creation here using Mr. Linky or in the gallery for a chance to win the April Prize!

Thanks! 

Kim :)

 

Product Review: American Crafts

Ok ladies....I know you all have favorite lines to work with when it comes to your projects.  I have to say i'm loving the American Crafts line Dear Lizzy.  The colors in this line are simply perfect forthis fabulous time of year.  This line reminds me that spring has sprung and is finally here. 

 I have used this line of paper in 2 different ways this time.  The first project I made was a birthday card for my aunt.  I wanted a soft, girly feel and think it worked perfectly.

I added a few pearls from Kaiser Crafts, a fabulous flower from Prima, a couple fun, fabulous mini alphas from making memories, did a little inking, and don't forget the gel pen action.

Now the second project I thought looked good for an Easter page.

On this page I used all of the same products as above and added a thicker bracket,  and did a little punching on the side.

So what i'm saying here is I feel that this line of paper by American Crafts you can pretty much use for anything you want.  It works well and gives a girly feel to your project or works just as well with little boy pictures.

Until next time ladies....Happy Scrapping!!!

~~Stacy~~

Winners of the 80's Crop

We want to thank everyone who participated in the crop. I also want to thank the DT for amazing challenges they posted for the crop.

Sorry for the delay on this but I thought I posted this and finally realized it was never done so here you....

Winners of the 80's crop

are

KellyG ( winner of Lizzie Anne Design goodies)

and

KimR ( winner of Bella Blvd goodies)

Congrats!!!!!

*** please send your mailing address to [email protected] and I will send the information to them

Lucy Chesna ~DT Coordinator