Scrapbook Soup

Are you familiar with Page Maps?  Becky Fleck put a book together a few years ago based on formulas for page layouts.  It was an immediate success and we open show 208 with a quick look at her second book, Page Maps 2 and companion dies.   This is a great guide for anyone needing help with page layouts, tips on the benefits of sketches and lots of ideas.  Wouldn't you just love to get this book and dies?  Yes?  Well carry on reading.........

Julie FF designed our first project specifically for those of you who may be "doodle challenged".  She has some great ideas to share to get you started.

Stacey Caron from Spellbinders joins us next to show us their new line of "Cut, Fold & Tuck" dies.  Check out how easy it is to create these layered and dimensional embellishments.

An eco-friendly double page spread is next with Julie FF.  You'll be surprised how easy it is create and it's a great project for the kids in your family.  Be prepared to get messy with us!

You may remember Rachel Carlson from an earlier show.  For this segment we gathered up all our leftovers to make cards.  BTW, if Rachel seems familiar, you may also have caught sight of her on the popular TV show Grimm where she plays an intrepid "detective".

This week's journal was sent to us by Tara Noel.  Another great example of journaling our daily lives, special trips and events.  You can find more information here on her blog: http://taranoel.typepa
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It's Christmas Day 4 weeks tomorrow, so here's a special giveaway for you!  Watch the show at www.scrapbooksouptv.com then comment here on my blog which project you liked best and why and you'll be entered to win Becky's Page Maps 2 book AND the Spellbinders Page Maps dies pictured above.  (US address only.)  Enjoy!  Y'all come back now...........

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Keep Calm and Carry On Crafting!

Scrapbook Soup

Scrapbook Soup Show 207 is now airing online @ www.scrapbooksouptv.com.  We air each show 24/7 every day for a week starting at noon EST on Fridays.  This week's show was all about new materials.  I started the show by sharing an assortment of materials to be used with an inkjet printer.  I love photography, so I'm always looking for new ways to display my photographs.  One of my personal favorites is Transfer Artist Paper from C&T Publishing.  You can print on this material then add the images to almost any surface! 

Another favorite of mine is canvas.  You can almost achieve the look of an oil painting using this material.  It's a great surface for a multitude of mixed media projects and inkjet canvas paper is easy to find.  This was the basis for the first project I designed for Elmer's.  I just love this photo of the cardinal.  I found him sitting on the fence one wintery morning and shot him - with  my camera of course......  The project was designed to feature glue as a resist.  You'll have to watch to see what I did!  Hope you love it as much as I do. 

Stacey Caron from Spellbinders presented our second project, a shabby chic scrapbook page using die cut elements that were cut, embossed and stencilled using a single die!

The "Puppy Love" page, designed by Julie FF, featured a new line of wood embellishment, tools and inks from Prima

and for our final project, Suzy West shared some "WOW" ideas for using embossing powders on metal.

The overall theme for this series is Journaling and at the end of each show, we share personal journals from viewers who are also CHA Designer members.   The first journal is from Madeline Arendt.  You can find more details about this journal on her blog @ http://www.madelinesthoughts.blogspot.com.  The second journal was created by Brenda Pinnick.

You can see detailed instructions on how to make each of these projects when you watch the show. Project instructions are also available on our website under the "Projects" tab.  Enjoy!

Have a very wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!  Y'all come back now.....

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Smoothfoam

Smoothfoam™ is a fun product to work with giving crafters endless opportunities to be creative quickly and easily.  Here's why:

1.  You can paint directly onto its smooth surface without any prep!  For example, I painted the surface of a 12x12 sheet of Smoothfoam with pink acrylic paint, pinned ribbon around the edge, added a 12 x 12 piece of lace scrapbook paper, photos and embellishments to create a lightweight wall hanging.  Perfect in a baby's room.  

 
These pieces were painted with Neon acrylic paint for an older child.  Adding embellishments to the robots was easy.  The buttons were large red brads pushed directly into the painted surface.

  

2.  You can pin things into it without worrying that they'll fall out again!  Create flower balls for Spring, birthday, shower or wedding decorations, or a topiary for the holidays.  Just add small silk flowers with sequin pins.

3.  You can cut it without it crumbling.  Stack a small, medium and large ball together to create your very own Snowman.  Cut a slice from each side of the ball then glue the flat sides together.

4.  You can glue anything to it, so its perfect for découpage using the printed layer of a decorative napkin, or pieces of leftover wrapping paper.  It's also great for lightweight photo cubes.

                 

5.  And since the holidays will shortly be upon us, how about some quick'n EZ projects to get you started.  Simply cover the surface of a Smoothfoam ball with glue, then sprinkle liberally with glitter.  Display on a colored charger, or in a large martini glass.  You can also add gold brads, or stickers and hang with a ribbon.  (Make a "u" shaped hook from a paper clip to hold the ribbon and hanger in place.)  Like I said, EZ PZ Quick'n EZ and sure to add a special sparkle to your holidays.

  

 

You can find Smoothfoam at all major craft stores, but - guess what - we're having a giveaway!  As you hop thru the designer blogs, comment on your favorite projects.  Each time you comment you'll be entered to win, so the more comments you add the more entries you'll have. (You can also comment on our Pinterest page after November 12th for additional entries.)   The winner will receive this Smoothfoam Snowman kit

and, as you know, if you've ever received a box of goodies from me, there'll be a whole lot more for you to play with.  The winner will be announced on Monday, November 19th on our Facebook pages @ http://www.facebook.com/DesignerCraftsConnection?ref=hl and @ http://www.facebook.com/Smoothfoam  We hope you'll "like" us too!  Enjoy!  Y'all come back now...

Yours truly,
Julie :)

Wood Laser Frames

This is the third laser frame project and ideal for Designer Crafts Connection, First Monday post.  Our theme for November is "Thank You Gifts", and this is a gift for a friend. 

 

You will need:

Laser Frame (from Michaels - seasonal section)

DecoArt® Americana® Acrylic paint:

   Santa Red and Dazzling Metallics® Emperor’s Gold

Recollections® Tinsel Glitter – Cherry

Artist’s Loft™ 5” x 7” Canvas Panel

Elmer’s® Tacky Glue

8 ½” x 11 Piece of Parchment paper

Chipboard Letters – M & C

¼” Flat Paint brush

Small Sea Sponge

Sponge Brush

1. Use the sea sponge to dab red paint over the front of the frame.

2. Working in sections, cover the front of the frame with an even coat of glue.  While the glue is still wet, sprinkle liberally with glitter.  Gently press glitter into the glue with wax paper.  Shake off excess.

3. Using a writing program with your computer, print “erry hristmas” onto parchment type paper as shown.

4. Trim paper to 5 ½” x 7 ½”.  Glue to canvas art board for extra stability, then glue behind the opening in the frame. 

5.  Paint the chipboard letters gold then adhere to the front as shown.  Enjoy!

I have a new project coming up on Saturday and a giveaway.  Designer Crafts Connection members will be participating in a Smoothfoam™  blog hop.  Each member will feature a project using this great product, and.... they'll be just in time for the holidays!  You won't want to miss this one, so y'all come back now....

Yours truly,

Julie :)

Wood Laser Frames for Winter

Without further ado, here are the instructions for the Pine Cone laser frame:

You will need:

5"x7" Wood Laser Frame - available at Michaels Arts & Crafts stores

DecoArt® Americana® Acrylic paint:

    Bittersweet (Brown) and Snow (Titanium) White

DecoArt® Americana® Weathered Wood™ Crackling Medium

Decorative Twigs

Potpourri Mix (for Small Pine Cones, etc)

Glue Gun

Small Sea Sponge

Sponge Brush

1.  Paint the front of the frame brown.  Let dry then re-paint with an even coat of crackling medium.  Let dry thoroughly. 

2.  Using the sea sponge, dab white paint on top of the crackling medium.  Use a hair dryer or heat embossing tool to expedite the drying process.  As the white paint dries the crackle medium will crack to reveal the brown paint underneath.

3.  Use a glue gun to adhere twigs, pine cones and other embellishments to the center of the frame at the top.

4.  Place the frame on the wall around a small grapevine wreath, photo, etc. for a unique holiday decoration. 

This is the third frame in the Christmas series. 

      

I'll post the instructions for this next week, so  y'all come back now........

Yours truly,

Julie :)