AWDML Design Team Blog

Cards from Page Scraps!

I love to make cards, but I just can't seem to make myself cut into a full sheet of paper to make them.  To me, it's only logical to create cards from my scraps.  In fact, the key for me is to create them right away so that I am always ready to go.  I know that there is no real "recipe" or "step by step" process for making them, but my system always seems to remain the same.  I thought I'd share that with you today!

I had some wonderful Sassafras product from over in the store and after creating this layout:

 
I still had so much yumminess left over it was the perfect time to create some scrap cards!

1 - I printed out a few sentiments that would work with the type and theme of my paper.  For this fun Sassafras, I thought that Dr. Seuss would be the perfect.  I found some fun quotes on thinkexist.com, formatted them out on Microsoft Word, and printed them out on matching cardstock. 

2 - I trimmed down my quotes and matted them on matching cardstock.  Then I set them aside.

3 - After looking over my scraps, I choose a few pieces that were basic enough to be my background pieces and cut them 5.25 X 4 inches. 

4 - Then I started layering my scraps together and glueing them down randomly on my background pieces. I mostly stick to rectangles, circles and strips of scraps.  How you layer them is totally up to you! 

5 - Stitching always adds a little pizazz, so I try to add a few stitches to every card I create.

6 - I added popdots to the back of my sentiments and attached them to my cards.

7 - After giving them a good once over, I realized they were missing something.  Trying to stay within my own guidelines of only using scraps of paper, I searched for something I could fussy cut and add for more interest.  I choose some cute flowers, cut them out, and added them to my cards with pop-dots. 

8 - Then I cut out some card bases, 8.5 X 5.25 inches and folded them in half.  Then I adhered the card fronts to them and they were all finished!

This is my basic formula for making cards --- this batch yielded these 3 cute cards:

So next time before you file those scraps in your scrap bin or in the garbage can, take 20 minutes and create some cute card with only your paper scraps and your computer!

Have fun!  Kim :)
  

Tuesday's Technique-Masking with Stamps

Hey gals, it's Erica!

Since this month we've been focusing on masking, I decided to show you one of the ways I like to use my stamps as a masking tool. 

First, you'll need to gather your supplies.  You'll need your stamp of choice, some black ink, a couple of colors of mists, and either a Post-it note that is larger than your stamped image or some scratch paper and repositionable adhesive. 

Now, you will want to ink up your stamp.  You don't have to be very thorough, just make sure to get the edges really well.  Then stamp your image on your scratch paper or Post-it.  
 

Now, cut your image out.  You can get as close or as detailed as you like.  Congrats!  You just made a mask!
 

Lay your mask on your cardstock.  Since I used a Post-it, I wound up adding a little bit of repositionable adhesive so it stick on the edges.

Now, move your cardstock and mask to a mist friendly surface.  I used an old towel but you could also use a cardboard box or the Clearsnap Color Catcher.   It's great because it allows you to stand up your project and hold your mists upright. 
 

I started out spraying some yellow in the upper right hand corner to make a sun effect.

 

I then added a few spritzes of green along the bottom...
 

and then filled in the rest with blue, avoiding the areas I'd already sprayed.
 

Then, I misted over the entire thing with white mist to blend the previous colors and soften them a bit.
 

I covered it with a paper towel and stacked some books on it.  This soaks up the excess mist and helps it dry flat.  (If your project dries and is wrinkled, you can always iron it on low heat.)
 

Here's my dried project with the mask still in place.  Remove it carefully and you can use it over and over again.  I like to keep my masks in with their stamps. 
 

Next, stamp your image in the white masked area and assemble your card!
 

Products used-Stamp~Stampendous, Cardstock~American Crafts, Spray Inks~Tattered Angels, Ink~Memento, Pen~Signo Uniball, Chipboard~Pink Paislee, Rub-on~American Crafts

I hope you guys enjoyed this technique and start making your own masks with your favorite stamps.  If you make a project like this, share it with us by uploading it to the gallery!

Made you look MONDAY!!!

Have you seen these SERIOUSLY cute new dies from My Favorite Things?!  They have some fun new ones in their Die-Namics line of dies that you just HAVE to see, but my favorite is the BANNER die!!  Yep!  You read that right!  It's a sweet little die to make those fun banners that are so "in" these days!  And, they are usable in both Cuttlebug and Sizzix machines!  It cuts a banner, a mat and a small topper for each "flag" of your banner.  They are the perfect size to make banners for both cards AND layouts!  Check it out!  It fits right in the palm of my hand!

The manufacturer states that it cuts through cardstock, patterned paper, THIN chipboard, 1/16" cork, felt, bubble wrap, acetate, photo magnet sheets, sticky-back canvas, fabric, denim, sandpaper, 2 mm craft foam, Creative Imaginations wood veneer paper, gift bags and velvet paper.  I personally can vouch for how easily and cleanly it cuts through cardstock and patterned papers.  I haven't tried the other materials, but I can't WAIT to try!

And, the best part about this die?!  It's only $7.99!!!  Run, don't walk to AWDML (either in person, or online) and pick this little gem up!  You won't be disappointed!!

Have fun!

~~Nicole~~

Shipping Sale & World Cardmaking Day Newsletter

I just sent out an email for our online friends...

It highlights some of our cardmaking supplies that are on sale for next week's World Cardmaking Day!

Click HERE to see the archive if you missed it in your inbox!

Friday Inspiration- Altering Made Easy!

Many scrappers who are traditionalLY layout scrappers, are intimidated by the thought of altering items.  Of course, there's always the question of "what will I do with it when I'm done?"  Well, the easiest answer that I have come up with is - Make your altered items for gifts!!  I altered this Dollar Store frame for a friend and she was super excited to display this photo and frame of her sweet baby boy on her desk at work.  Don't you just want to squeeze those cheeks??!

All I did to create this was:  Remove the glass from the frame, and cover the matting with Graphic 45 paper using Mod Podge.  Then, using more Graphic 45 paper, my Nestibilites dies and some Distress Ink, I created the flower embellishment.  Then, to create the baby's nickname on the frame, I used the same Distress Ink to color some Naked Chipboard and then added clear embossing powder for dimension and shine.  Finally I created the center of the flower by putting a Making Memories Tiny Alpha sticker on a brad and then covering it with Diamond Glaze, giving it the look of an expoxy sticker for the center of the flower. 

 
I hope that the ease of this project has inspired you to make a trip to the dollar store and make an easy, but from the heart gift for a friend.  Be sure to share yours with us in the AWDML Gallery, or on our Facebook Page!

~~Nicole~~

Products Used:  Graphic 45- A Proper Gentlemen Papers, Diamond Glaze, Ranger Distress Ink- Broken China, Clear Embossing Powder, Tiny Alphas, Nestibilities Scallop Circle Dies 

Step by Step-A Monsterous Treat

Hey folks, it's Erica! 

Now, today's Step by Step may be getting ahead of things a little but I just couldn't help myself.  I got my design team goodies the other day and I set this...

 
on top of this...

 
and inspiration hit!  I had to drop everything and start getting crafty!  LOL!

Let's get started, shall we?  :)

Step One~Remove your This to That refill from American Crafts and keep the packaging. 

 

Step 2~Lay the paper packaging on the back of a sheet of Jillibean Soup's Monster Stew paper called 2 Tbsp Slime.  Trace around the shape with a pencil and cut it out.

 

Step 3~Embellish the front of the paper with pieces of the scalloped border sticker from the Jillibean Soup Monster Stew CS Stickers.  Make sure to round the corners to match the paper shape.

 

Step 4~Embellish the front of the plastic packaging with two of the label stickers from the same sticker sheet and put the giftee's name on the top label with the cute letter stickers also inclued on the sheet.

 

Step 5~Lay the plastic packaging on it's front, fill with candy, put the paper inside and then close the package. 

 

Step 6~Give it to the lucky kiddo on Halloween and watch him (or her) enjoy it!

Thanks for checking out my step by step and I hope you enjoyed it!

Erica

Technique Tuesday

Hi There Everyone!! It's Scarlett here bringing you a fun techique: creating a masked background with paint and mists!!  I love the Ranger paint dabbers available in the store and they are perfect for this quick and easy technique.  Let's get started!

Supplies Needed:

Ranger Paint Dabbers

Maya Road Canvas Pennant Banner pieces

Tattered Angels Glimmer Screens (these were available in the store but are currently out of stock, contact Lisa if you would like to have some ordered for you)

Shimmerz Spritz (this stuff gives an amazing amount of sheer sparkle!!!)

Tsukineko Shimmer Spritz

Step 1:

Take one banner piece and place glimmer screen on top.  Dab all around edegs of screen with paint dabber.  Lift up screen and move to a different section of the banner and dab again with paint.  repeat this process until you get the banner piece covered in the way you desire.

Here is what it will look like when you are done:

Step 2:

Lightly spray mists onto painted background to give additional pops of color and sparkle.

And that's it!  Easy peasy, right?  You can do this technique on paper as well to create beautiful backgrounds for your cards or scrappy pages.

Here is the full project I completed using this technique to create my backgrounds:

I really love how this background is so bright, cheery, and unique.  Hope you have fun giving it a try!

Until next time, Happy Scrappin'!!

Additional Supplies Used on Full Project:

Crate Paper Restoration patterned paper

Maya Road Chipboard Pieces and Stick Pin

Jillibean Soup Pasta Fagioli patterned paper

EK Success Martha Stewart Butterfly border punch

Ranger UTEE

Jenni Bowlin Studios Mini Chalkboard Alpha stickers

Tim Holtz embossing folder - woodgrain

 

Made You Look Monday with a little Crate Paper

Hello everyone, Stacy here.  I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend.  I'm going to get you hooked on someCrate Paper today.

I am so in love with this line it's Crate Paper Snow Day. 

Look at the super fun colors.  If you like the non-traditional Christmas colors then this line is totally for you.  The texture and quality of the paper is super!!!

Check out some of the fun embellies you can grab to go with the paper.  For starters how fun are these chipboard stickers!!!  These will sure add some pop to your layouts and cards.

If you love your brads....feast your eyes on these bad boys!

Do you want to add a little fun border to your projects...well here you go.

Well everyone, now that I have shared one of my favorite Christmas lines with you....i'm in the mood to scrap.  Make sure you stop over at the store and grab some of these yummy goodies and get a jump on your Holiday cards.

Until next time...happy scrapping.

~~Stacy~~  

Travel Fun

Hey there everyone, Stacy here.  Today i'm going to give you and idea for a little travel fun.  Road trips can be so long and boring for the kids.  Here is a fun way to keep them entertained with your crafting abilities.  Check out this fun Tic Tac Toe travel game.  Everything you need in one fun container.

Here is a picture of the inside, the actual game part.

This game is super easy to make.  I used one of my empty Maya Road containers, which works perfect for the pieces.  I used my Imaginisce I-top tool and the medium magnet daddies for the pieces.  Now no matter how bumpy the ride the pieces will never fly around!  The paper of choice for this projects wasEcho Park Life Is Good paper and stickers.  For an added little flair I also used the Imaginisce I-rock tool to put the bling on the front of the container.

So there you have it....a fabulous, fun travel game.

Until next time happy scrapping.

~~Stacy~~

Step x Step Thursday

Hi Everyone!  Happy Thursday to you!!  It's Scarlett here today bringing you a step x step card made with the new Togetherness line by Cosmo Cricket.  I'll be honest in saying I wasn't to sure how much I would like and/or use this line so I started with just getting the 6x6 mini deck.  After seeing it in person, I am hooked.  The colors and patterns are super fun and I adore the chipboard pieces, especially the birdies.

So let's get started!  Here is the card we are going to make today:

I told you those birdies were cute, aren't they??!

Step 1: Cut your card base to 5"x 5".  Choose a base patterned paper and cut to 4 7/8"x 4 7/8" and adhere to card base centered.  Cut another piece of patterned paper to 4.5" x 4.5".  Center on top of 1st patterned paper and adhere.  Cut strip of patterned paper to 4 7/8" x 2".  Adere about half and inch above bottom of card base. Set card base to side.  Note: I inked up all the edges of my papers and card base to make it pop a bit more.

Step 2: Pop out the scalloped blue circle from the Togetherness 6" chipboard pieces.  Select a medium size Kraft Doiley from Maya Road (new in store) and adhere to the back of scalloped circle chipboard piece.  Punch out a 1.5" scalloped circle from patterned paper and adhere to middle of embellishment.  Note: To make the chipboard piece easier to work with add a little baby powder to the back.  This will take the sticky away allowing you to easily work with it.

Step 3: Select a large and medium size chipboard bird from the Togetherness 12" Ready Set chipboard.  Punch out 9 hearts from patterned paper.  Attach birds using dimesional adhesive on top half.  Attach heart with dimensional adhesive.

Step 4: Grab card base and rotate it so the strip is now on the right hand side.  I will tell you I planned on having it at the bottom to begin with, but it didn't look right so I rotated it to suit the embellishment better.  Attach embellishment to strip of paper.  Create a speech bubble on patterned paper (I was fortunate enough to have a stamp on hand) and put sentiment in it.  Attach with dimensional adhesive.  Scatter remaining hearts on left side of card, adhere, and there you have it!  A cutie little card to let someone special know you care.

Hope you give this card design a whirl.  If you do be sure to upload it to the gallery so we can all see the lovely creation you made!  Happy Scrappin'!

Products Used:

Cosmo Cricket Togetherness Mini Deck, 6" Chipboard pieces, 12" Chipboard Pieces

Maya Road Kraft Doilies Diecut Pieces

Marvy Circle Punch

Ranger Distress Ink

September 15th Reveal- Stampendous

Stampendous is one our Stamp MFG that we are spotlighting this month at A Walk Down Memory Lane You'll get 25% off your goodies so stop by the store :) Here is what the designers did with some stamps from Stampendous

Thanks for looking

A Technique on Tuesday!!

This month we are talking about MASKING!  And, I am sharing a technique where I used masking in my title.  It's super easy!!  All you need to do is to put down some non-dimensional (flat) letter stickers and then rub over them with some ink.  I used a make-up sponge, but the Tim Holtz Blending Tool would work great, too!  Once you get the desired amount of ink around your letter stickers then, slowly peel the stickers off to reveal your fun new title!  I used it twice on my layout, once for the title and once to highlight some of the journaling.  Have fun!

Here is a close up of the two sections that I used this technique on:

 
And here is the whole layout:

Products Used:  Fancy Pants Rusted Sun, American Crafts Cardstock, American Crafts Thickers, Making Memories Alpha Stickers, Clearsnap Cat's Eye Ink, Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type Alpha Stickers
Other: Thread

Thanks for stopping by today!

--Nicole