Whooohooo!!!!

I just got an email this morning that my "K is for Kitty Cat" layout using the Upsy Daisy's Pretty Petals line that I created for Paper Popsicles is being published by Scrapbook News & Review, an online scrap mag. I "think" it will be featured in their January 2009 e-zine, as I'll have to go back and review the page call details. This marks my 2nd "pub." Whoohoooo for me!! This is definitely giving me the confidence to submit more, so I'll definitely have to find the time to do that. Per my contract agreement, I can't share the image with you for now, but as soon as the e-zine goes live, you betcha I'm gonna be dancing all by myself in a circle!!!

I'm also tickled pink that the ladies over at Moments-2-Remember have chosen my layout, "Renaissance Faire," which I also originally created for Paper Popsicles using their August 2008 "Telling Secrets" kit, as the Pick of the Month Project!! So not only will my layout be featured all month on their home page, he he!, but I get a new virtual charm for my charm bracelet in my siggie on their message board!!!

Here's my Renaissance Faire layout:



And here are some detailed shots:







The January Memories-2-Remember monthly kit is already SOLD OUT, but please do check out their DT gallery to see all the fantastic projects made by the M2R DT Divas using the January Kit!

Paper: 7 Gypsies Nottinghill; MM Noteworthy
Embellishments: 7 Gypsies & Fancy Pants Rubons; 7 Gypsies Velvet Brads; K & Co Fabric Brads; MM White Metal Plaques; Patina Stickles; Scenic Route Butterfly and Scalloped Frame Chipboard; Around the Blocks Glue Stickers (glittered flourish); Martha Stewart Glitter; Prima, Heidi Swapp and Misc Flowers; Heidi Swapp Green Bling; Misc Gold Metallic Butterfly and yellow ribbon scrap.

Blunders of a Blogging Newbie - A Belated Tutorial Share

So, I'm cleaning up some files on my laptop when I realized that I never did share this tutorial on my blog for a challenge I shared for Paper Popsicles way back in July for one of our cyber crops.

My challenge and tutorial was to create a card using a "fishscales" border since I was and am still very much in love with circles. My fishscales was inspired by Christine Middlecamp who had done a tutorial on her blog earlier this year on the same technique.

Step 1: Pull out a circle punch (I used a 1 1/4th sized circle punch as it was closest to the circle design of the patterned paper.)

Step 2: Punch out circles from 2 different types of patterned papers. Choose one with a pattern or bold color and for the second, choose a plain one.

I hand cut the round medallions that was in the patterned paper, and then used a metallic gold paint pen to outline all the edges to give it a bit more dimension. I chose my circle punch that was most similar in size to the medallions and punched out solid grey circles. I outlined the grey circles too with my gold paint pen for consistency.

Step 3: Now in this picture, you can see that I drew a straight line on my base cardstock where I wanted to line up the circles. This base line ensures that I have straight "fishscales" once they are all laid down.

Step 4: I laid down the FULL grey circles first along my pencil line.

Step 5: Then I put down the medallions from the patterned paper that were cut into halves.

Step 6: Lastly, I slipped another row of medallion halves UNDERNEATH the 2 completed rows.

I trimmed the excess from the sides as needed.

Voila!!

Here's my finished card using this technique. I loved it so much that I used the same technique to create a border for a layout too!



Here's my layout I created of my sweet kitty. The Paper Petals paper mixed well with my Making Memories, ki, Hambly, 7 gyspies and Prima stash.

PICTURE WILL BE BACK ON FEB 18TH, 2009

Here are some close ups of my layout and of the fishscales border.

PICTURE WILL BE BACK ON FEB 18TH, 2009

PICTURE WILL BE BACK ON FEB 18TH, 2009

I will share additional belated tutorials in the next coming weeks. As a blogging newbie, it didn't occur to me, back then, to actually share them on my blog too when I was posting my tutorials on message board forums. Live and learn!



"Happy Birthday" Card
Paper: Upsy Daisy "Paper Petals" line; Bazzil Grey CS
Embellishments: American Crafts Apha Stickers; Michaels brand Ribbon
Accesories: Circle Punch; Metallic Gold Paint Pen; Martha Stewart Royal Butterfly Punch

"K is for Kitty Cat" Layout
Paper: Upsy Daisy "Paper Petals" line; Making Memories Noteworthy Ledger Paper; Basic Grey Euphoria; Hambly Transparency; Bazzil Grey CS
Embellishments: 7 Gypsies "K is for Kitty Cat" 97% (Phrase) Stickers; KI Bloom Chipboard; Lil Davis "Simply Adorable" chipboard; Prima Flowers; K&Co Wild Saffron Fabric brads; CK jeweled brads; Heidi Swapp bling; Doodlebug Paper Lace Trim; Journalling Spot from Etsy; Upsy Daisy "Paper Petals" Rub Ons; EK Success Stickers
Accesories: Circle Punch; Metallic Gold Paint Pen; Martha Stewart Royal Butterfly Punch

The Great Pumpkin Search @ Paper Popsicles - Oct 15th

Paper Popsicles is participating in The Great Pumpkin Search this year! By visiting all the participating stores and finding the hidden pumpkin, you will be eligible to win prizes.

Over $1000 in prizes will be given away to participants of The Great Pumpkin Search Online Shop Hop!

A pumpkin image will be hidden in each participating store website. Once you find it, you will click on it to enter your email address. If you find the hidden pumpkin in each participating store, you will be eligible to win prizes.

Anyone can participate... all you need is access to the internet and a valid email address.
Participation is FREE!

Click here to register! The fun begins Wednesday, Oct 15th and will last ALL month long until November 16th!!!

Check out the cool prizes!!

GRAND PRIZE #2 - $100 in gift certificates from participating stores

GRAND PRIZE #3 - $50 in gift certificates from participating stores

4 GRAND PRIZE #4 - a $25 gift basket from Tinkering Ink

GRAND PRIZE #1 - $250 in gift certificates from participating stores
3 BONUS PRIZES - 3 Customers with the Largest Sales Receipt will each win $35 in gift certificates from participating stores
8 FIRST PRIZES
$25 in gift certificates from participating stores

6 SECOND PRIZES
$15 in gift certificates from participating stores

20 THIRD PRIZES
a $10 gift certificate from participating stores

World Wide Card Making Day Oct 4th @ Paper Popsicles

Yeah!!!! The day is finally upon us to have some fun and create cards all day. I and the other Paper Popsicles Design Team Members will be hosting a slew of card challenges all day beginning at 9AM. If you're out and about today, the card threads will stay up for you to play catch up later so you can make one for yourself too.

WHEN: October 4th, 9 am - 7 pm central/standard time ( A new idea every OTHER hour)
WHERE: Paper Popsicles Message Board
WHY: To discover new creative cards ideas
We will be featuring the following card ideas: money card; gift card holder; pocket card; shaped window card; monochromatic card with dimension; ideas for using Paper Popsicles exclusive cut-out cards…..
Can’t make it on Saturday - no problem. Just check out the forum when you are able to after October 4. But remember to share your cards with us!
Here's my card idea for the day that will be featured at 3PM this afternoon. Can you guess which card technique idea it is? :) Click here for my step by step instructions.

PICTURE WILL BE BACK ON FEB 18TH, 2009

And here's a detailed shot of the dimension:

PICTURE WILL BE BACK ON FEB 18TH, 2009

Come join us today at Paper Popsicles for a great day of Card Making!

International Card Making Day - October 4th @ Paper Popsicles

We can pretty much be sure that this isn’t a “Hallmark” holiday, however, I admit that it is a new one to me! But, let’s not pass up an opportunity to have fun and create cards - right!! Join us!!
WHEN: October 4th, 9 am - 7 pm central/standard time
WHERE: Paper Popsicles Message Board
WHY: To discover new creative cards ideas
Our design team is going to showcase a card creation every other hour starting at 9:00 a.m., then 11:00…. See the ideas and techniques they use to create their card and then make one yourself. We will be featuring the following card ideas: money card; gift card holder; pocket card; shaped window card; monochromatic card with dimension; ideas for using Paper Popsicles exclusive cut-out cards…..
Can’t make it on Saturday - no problem. Just check out the forum when you are able to after October 4. But remember to share your cards with us!

Its the 5th AND its Friday - Lots of DT Gallery Reveals and New Challenges

Man, its like all the cosmos have aligned on this very day, Friday, the 5th, or something because there are lots of releases today to share. So please get comfy in your seats. I've got lots to share with you today.

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First up is Paper Popsicles. Today, September 5th, is the big reveal for our design team projects using the second set of September kits from Paper Popsicles.

Now, you're probably thinking....Already?? Didn't she just debut her projects recently??

Paper Popsicles is releasing these second set of kits in order to synch up the kit month with the actual calendar month the kits will be available for purchase and ship (i.e. September kits will now be ready to order and ship on Sept 1st, etc.). There is no subscription required. Kits will ship in a few business days after payment. We're all very excited with these awesome changes. Melissa really listens to her customers...so be sure to stop by the message board and join in the fun!

So, with no further ado, this is the kit I got to work with this month "The Year 1974":

12 double sided sheets of 12x12 patterned papers from Paper Trunk

4 12x12 sheets of cardstock by Core'dinations

1 sheet of green hopscotch alphabets by Doodlebug Designs

1 pack of flower rinestones by Blue Hill Studio

1 pack of Rain Dots by Cloud 9

1 sheet of brown loopy love alphabets by Doodlebug Designs

1 package of Rub-On Transfers by Daisy D's

1 chipboard wheel by Paper Trunk

1 chipboard couple by Scenic Route

1 bottle of scrapbook cream paints by P. Inc.

And here are my projects I created using this kit:

Check out the rest of the Gallery to see what Lynda and Jennifer created with the other two September 2 kits by clicking here. Stop by, too, to leave me some love in the DT Gallery. :)

Melissa at Paper Popsicles is also putting together an awesome monthly card kit as well, which contains the following:

5 Cards and envelopes

Miscellaneous flowers by Irene's Garden

1 package of felt flowers by Heidi Swapp

3 sheets of 12x12 papers to coordinate with cards

1 package of eyelets by P. Inc.

1 Rub-on transfer by Daisy D's

1 velvet paper square

1 paper triangle

1 exclusive to Paper Popsicles greeting stamp by That's Jazzy Stamp Dreams

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Today, Friday, September 5th, and the 5th means its the debut of our September Design Team Gallery over at Embellish-Online, so please come on by and give us some love.

This month, we were sent the Archaic line by Basic Grey and the Papa line from Fancy Pants to work with. So here's what I came up with in keeping with our Fall and Fella's theme for the month.

Goings On at Embellish-Online: (borrowing from Suzy H)

Sales and New Discount Code - Right now at Embellish-Online.com you can save $5 on on 12x12 BasicGrey paper packs. There is also a new discount code ~ GLITTER will save you 20% off your whole order (put the word in the voucher box on the order form)- I am not sure if this applies to the $5 off papers, I have to check on that, but it is good for your entire order including the other sale items. Click *here* to get to the store.
Guest Designer Kim Frantz - be sure to see the wonderful work Kim has done for us this month. She won our first Friday Free For All Challenge. Her gallery is a must see - that is one talented woman. Wait until you see the CAR CARD she created! No wonder she was named Memory Makers Master for 2009. Shock and awe, people. Shock and awe! Stay tuned for her Halloween cards next month - we just had to have her for two months.
New Basic Grey - Ambrosia, Eva and Offbeat patterned papers are in the store right now; the matching chipboard stickers and albums etc will be arriving later this month.
Cuttlebug Folders are still on sale.
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TGIF Everyone!!! And Friday means another weekly challenge hosted by one of our very own talented Design Team members over at Embellish-Online. (The one I'm hosting is coming up in 2 weeks!)


This week, Norma Kennedy is heading up our newest Friday Challenge today which is to make a project or card using Glimmer Mist, Stickles, Shimmery Chalk - anything as long as it shimmers! Do please stop by to check us out and play along.

You're sure to be inspired!

NOTE: The DT Friday Challenges and the Teapot Tuesday Challenges that occur WEEKLY have been added to my BLOG CALENDAR that's located at the TOP LEFT of my blog. Check it out!! (you know this is mostly for me so that I don't forget, right? lol)

Yep....that's some TGIF huh?? Whew, I need a drink now after ALL of that!!

2 Sketches 4 You Card Challenge

I've been lurking on this wonderful card sketch blog for many months now and finally had the courage to give it a try as I was working with my Paper Popsicles Sept "The Year 1974" kit. So this isn't a sneak peek, since I'm not allowed to release anything before the official reveal date, lol, so I guess I'll have to squeeze out one more card for Paper Popsicles.

Here is this week's challenge from 2 Sketches 4 You.

And here is my take on it. Miraculously, I knew exactly where I had those straw hats that I've had for yeaarrs and was glad to give my little penguin some shade. It definitely has been both hot and humid out here in SoCal. This little guy just makes me smile from ear to ear cuz he's so darn cute!!!


Materials Used: All papers and alpha stickers are from the
Paper Popsicles "The Year 1974" Sept kit, Penguin stamp is from Imaginesce avail at both Paper Popsicles and Embellish-Online, Martha Stewart border punch and EK Success 1 3/4" circle punch, Ink was Versafine in Black. Flowers, buttons, ribbons, ric rac, chalk and straw hat are all from my own stash.

I did get to play with my new Cuttlebug embossing borders that I just got from Embellish-Online. I looove them and it was fun breaking out my Big Shot again!

What's New at Paper Popsicles ??

I'm a bit behind in blogging the last days as I've been cramming to finish some assignments and putting in some killer hours at work. Its the beginning of the month and there's lots of stuff going on at Paper Popsicles.



* First, our September kits are available now. Free Time is chockful of Daisy D's and A Bit Stuffy has tons of Little Yellow Bicycle and K&Co. There's the adorable Happiness kit with lots of Making Memories 5th Avenue as a mini kit. Lynda, Tricia and Jackie will be designing this month's kits so I can't wait to see what they come up with.

* Paper Popsicles is also looking for their October Guest Designer. This months requirements are:

Create 4 Birthday Cards and envelopes using materials from the Paper Popsicles store. Adult or child birthday - anything goes but Happy Birthday must be included somewhere on each card.

You need to be an active member of our message board with at least twenty posts. You must be able to continue to be involved on the message board and gallery during your "month".

Submit your layout to melissa@paperpopsicles.com and be sure the image is NOT larger than 900 pixels. Please include your full name, address and message board name in your entry.

Entries will be accepted until midnight of August 28th.

The winner will receive a package of goodies and her assignment in early September. Our Guest Designer will have until September 28th to submit her assignments, a short bio and picture. This will be used on our website, on our blog and in your GDT album in the gallery.

* Want bragging rights? Is your project/layout going to be our new "Weekly Discovery"? Starting Monday, August 4th and every Monday thereafter Paper Popsicles will be doing a search throughout the gallery and posting our "Weekly Discovery" on our blog. So, get yourself registered and fill up your album in the Paper Popsicles gallery!!! You may just be discovered.

* My friend Tanya is August's Guest Designer and you gotta go see what lovelies she's created with her kit for Paper Popsicles! She just debuted her August 1 reveal in our gallery so please come over and give her some love!

* Stayce, our resident instructor, has also just debuted her amazing How-To class for August. Come see how to make this adorable ATC holder with incredibly detailed step by step pictorial instructions. If you're not into ATC's, this could easily be adapted to be a card holder. Here's a little sneakie peek at Stacey's project:



* Finally, I'd like to share my Design Team ICEE tip of the week with you here...

I've been really enamoured with circles lately and I found a way to combine this new crush with my other love of combining and layering patterned papers ====> Making my own customized journal circles for a more whimsical and personalized look vs. using mfg prefab or punched out circles.

Here in this picture, you can see that I preplanned my journalling on post it notes. I did this since I knew I wanted hand writing instead of computer printed journalling so I needed an idea of how much space each of my cluster of thoughts would take up.



I then took out a sharpie marker (I decided on my Creative Memories journalling black pen because the thickness of the pen point was most complimentary with my layout...I didn't want the tip point and thus thicknes of outline to over power the serene colors of the main patterned paper) and randomly drew circles on the light blue 7 gypsies patterned paper that came in the August Telling Secrets Kit.

Then, I used the same CM pen and hand wrote each of my cluster of journalling inside each of the circles. I made sure to select various sizes to add visual interest when I was planning the procession of which circle came after the last one.

Then, I hand cut each of the circles along the OUTSIDE of my hand drawn circle lines because I wanted the outlines to be included for that more whimsical and more personalized look.

Here is the result on my layout, which I love. :)



Here's another example of hand drawn circles in which I used a thicker tipped sharpie marker to make my own circle embellishments. I did this in order to combine the patterned papers to create a fun and masculine feel.

Whew! Lots of fun stuff huh? I haven't even told you about all the new challenges that Samantha and Valery have planned for the month of August. You'll just have to come over and read about it and hopefully play along.

Its Show and Tell Time Kiddies (Part Deux)

Here are the rest of my projects that I created with the August kit, Telling Secrets, from Paper Popsicles.

Yep, I'm gonna flood the screen again. So sit back cuz here we go!

#4) Here's another card I made using the Martha Stewart butterfly punch that Ali Edwards made so famous once. I also had a lot of small scraps by now, so this was a great way to maximize use of my supplies. I'm really loving Stickles to create fast Faux Bling in the center of my butterflies.




#5) So I created this...not my best work, but I really wanted to keep it simple and flat! I was inspired by this Basic Grey paper from the Archaic line to make the most of my remaining scraps.



#6) Then I decided to do another layout with photos of my nephew who was just about a month old when I met him for the first time. His maternal grandfather had just passed away from a battle with cancer so it was a very somber time when he was born. He's very precocious now at almost 4, just like his daddy was when he was little!

I wanted to do something clean, simple and a bit more masculine since I had just done the flower/buttefly explosion with my two previous layouts. lol



#7) Finally, I completed this mini book featuring the other half of that fabulous Heidi Swapp butterfly transparency. I saw her create a similar mini book for an event she was sponsoring this past April 08 and I've been dying to get my hands on this transparency. I was thrilled that it was included in the Paper Popsicles August 08 Kit!!






Please visit the August DT Gallery over at Paper Popsicles to view my detailed descriptions if you want to know what materials I used and what I may have added from my own stash. :) Of course, I love gallery praise too. (You will have to register in the Paper Popsicles Gallery in order to leave comments.)

Toodles everyone!! Its time for lunch!

It's Show and Tell Time Kiddies! (Part 1)

Yeahh!! Boys and Girls! It's Howdy Doodee Time! He, he, he, I'm pretty excited to share with you all the projects I've been working on with the August kit, Telling Secrets, from Paper Popsicles.

I'm going to apologize now to you, cuz I'm about to flood the screen big time! So here we gooooo!

#1) Here's a personal introspective one called "I do Matter, really I do." Guess I was feeling kinda down the weekend I created this, so I thought the ethereal colors of this combo of papers was perfect.









#2) This one was inspired by my friend Kari who suggested that I lay out my photos in a tiled collage which I thought was a brilliant idea!





#3) Here's the first of the cards I made.



I'll post a few more on another day since including images in a blog takes up alot of time, and I'm still feeling really exhausted from this past weekend :)

Come over to the Paper Popsicles August Design Team Gallery and see my other creations along with my fellow DT'ers Jackie and Jennifer.

We'd love it if you left some LOVE for us in the comment section of the gallery. :)
(You will be required to register in the gallery in order to post comments.)