Last Minute Ornament

Need a last minute idea for an ornament?

I recently created a mini barn star ornament using a template from the Paper Barn Star class that was taught at Paper Pals. The template that you can get at the store is for three larger sized stars, so I just downsized the smallest one and cut out pieces to create a tree ornament sized star.

And, to make it a fun group project, I made it into a "Memory Star". On the back side of the paper pieces I wrote the year and listed a few different memories from 2010. This may become a fun tradition to create one each year!

If you'd like to make one, stop in to Paper Pals to get some christmas themed paper and the template. It's a fun project that kids and adults alike can work on this holiday season!

Merry Christmas from the Paper Pals Design Team!

Christmas Traditions Accordian Album

I had a truckload of fun creating this Album about some of our family Christmas/December traditions. I did not get them all laid out, so I put some on a list and tucked it in the family photo picture. Each lay-out has a little secret pull-out with journaling on it. I loved using all the paper and embellishments from Paper Pals. They had so many nifty things to choose from. I used leftover scraps from a " day-in-the-life" Christmas book I created to write something in each day for this month and then add pictures later. It was one of the funnest projects ever! I kept the lettering similar to add continuity and tried to keep every thing in sort of a semi square or rectangle in the middle of each page. If you want to get a close up it will be at the Paper Pals store in Pullman!

Home Decor Idea

Chances are that you are thinking about home decor this week.

Maybe you are taking down some year-round decor to make room for Christmas decor, and you hope to "accidentally" drop and break it so you don't have to put it back up after the holidays. ;)

Or you have a great wall for some simple artwork, but not the budget. If only you had new holiday decor or even year round decor to fill that space...

Paper Pals customer at previous Design Team member Anita Cory has a solution for you!!!

She cleverly used scrapbook paper to its fullest and most original design... simply by placing a page straight off a Paper Pals shelf into a frame!

She said "I like how it turned out and literally it took 10 minutes and about $30 (frames on sale at Michaels)."

What a world of simple and easy possibilities!

1. Buy christmas paper now, then for the other 11 months of the year place a different sheet over the top (or change it for every holiday!)

2. Buy adorable baby paper for a nursery and put it in white frames.

3. If you already have 8x10 frames, trim your 12x12 sheet to fit frames you already have.

What about you? Any more ideas? I challenge you-- design team OR customer-- to "scraplift" Anita and change up your home decor! Leave a link in the comments if you use this great idea.

"Holly Jolly"

I had some leftover "Holly Jolly"  paper, so I decided to do another layout!  I love this "My Little Shoebox" Christmas paper!  Soooo many possibilities!

BasicGrey "Jovial" Line

Oh, the joy of christmas scrapbook papers! And, as expected, BasicGrey did not disappoint. Their Jovial line is simply gorgeous.

I did something different and created my cards before my layouts. I loved that this line could look formal and classy but with the same papers it could be fun and sassy!

Formal and classy: (marshmallow glimmer mist makes great lookin' snow on black cardstock!)

Fun and sassy:



For my layouts, I created a two page layout (which I haven't done in awhile) using several photos. I like the idea of using several photos on my Christmas layouts so I don't have pages and pages and PAGES of the same kinds of pictures every year. :)

My "Frosty" layout also uses multiple photos-- wallet sized. I based the theme on a subject that passed over multiple years versus the same activity in one year. This is a great way to combine a tradition w/ only one photo from several years together.

Aren't those chipboard snowmen (and snowflakes... and ornaments.... and stars... and frames.... and journaling spots) just the cutest? Go get you some JOVIAL!

"Holly Jolly"

My Little Shoebox Christmas line, "Holly Jolly," is in the store now!  I love this paper, it is MY kind of patterned paper---bright and whimsical! The paper is two-sided, just adorable!  One of my favorite things about this paper is that it combines the traditional  red and green, and adds in pink, lime green and teal!  SO many possibilities!!

(It's hard to see, but I added Crystal Stickles, from Ranger, to the snowflakes on the layout and the buttons on the snowmen.)

Laundry line by Little Yellow Bicycle.....Happy!!!

So happy to be back on Design Team, Yahoooo! so far my first project has proved to be FUN. The Laundry line paper is not only versatile and pretty but the paper itself is of the highest quality, you can do all kinds of things to it and it can take it. My kind of paper! I had some pictures of my Niece Zoey Held that seem to be a great match for the little pocket booklet I used. I didn't get too wild and crazy this time, I just kept it simple. I need to warm up the creative juices just a little. This was a super fun way to do it! It was so easy to throw together with all the wonderful word stickers and the nifty paper.

MERRY January

 I realize that this page is overflowing with info but I wanted to do a sort of December Daily idea.  This is from 3 Christmas' ago so I didn't have all the info.  I sewed a grid on the page and then filled up the boxes.  The snowflakes were a bit of an accident.  I punched some snowflakes then misted them with silver and while they were still wet I sprinkled on some clear embossing powder.  While I was heat gunning them some of them got a bit crispy on the edges.  I totally love the look because it matches the tan in the paper. 

 

This is my quilt page.  I just cut up my pictures and then pieced them all together.  I know it doesn't follow some design rules but it was fun. 

 

This paper is from We R Memory Keepers and it is called MERRY January.  I got to use the papers: Mitten, Branch, Slush, & Crisp.  I also used the layered Chipboard self adhesive words.  These words are solid.  If you stick them down that is were they are going to be.  I know I rave about all the paper I get to use but I can't help myself.  I had eyed this paper in the store earlier.  It is beautiful paper.  I love the colors.  I know it is called MERRY January but I used it for some Christmas photos.  I also used the clear journal stamp that is in the same line.

Say Hello....

to the new Paper Pals Design Team. 

We had several entries this year and deciding was hard, but here is your new Design Team:

Leah Candler

Deb Felsted

Angela Lenssen

  

Leah Larson

Judy Pilcher

Keep an eye out for some fabulous inspiration from these ladies, and thanks so much to everyone that applied!

You're Creative.

Yes, I'm talking to you. You who are here visiting the Paper Pals Design Team blog.

You wouldn't be here if you didn't have some interest in papercrafting. My guess is that you LOVE it.

Have you considered submitting some of your work to the Paper Pals Design Team call? You should. (Details in this post.)

I remember thinking a few years back that there would be no way that I was "creative enough" to be on Design Team. But one day I felt a little brave and I took some projects I had to the store to submit. I wasn't sure that each of my items "qualified" for their submission requirements, so I was nervous. But Shawna liked what I brought to her and it gave her a good idea of my style.

From there, I was chosen to be on the team! Surprised, challenged, honored and scared... those were a few of the feelings I had when I started out. But I have to say it's been one of the best opportunities I've had. I've grown and changed as a scrapbooker/papercrafter and have had a lot of fun in the process!

I just want to encourage you to give it a try. Be brave. Take something you've created into the store and ask some questions if you have them. It may be the beginning of a new creative chapter of your life!

Back to School with Bo Bunny

 Did you get some sweet photographs of your kids or grandkids when school started this fall? Well, rather than leaving them on your camera, get them printed out and scrapped using this fun little line of papers for Back to School!

Bo Bunny made the grade with their "Learning Curve" line. They have such a variety of patterned papers and embellishments that just make creating pages easy! Their patterned papers are double sided-- and they are the kind that makes you want to buy two of each page since you want to use both sides.

Instead of focusing on the "first day" for this layout, I decided to feature another important part of school starting... and for my daughter that means NEW CLOTHES! It was fun to do a little fashion shoot w/ her so she could try on her new clothes.

This line uses the classic primary colors you'll find in school papers, but it had a great style that didn't seem too juvenile to me. It was fun to match the geometric shapes that the line offered on one page.

And instead of using the scraps from these projects on cards only, I decided to make a little teacher gift too! I used buttons, ribbon, pattern paper and cardstock stickers to decorate a little dollar store cork board. Then I cut out journaling cards from one of the pattern paper sheets and pinned them onto the board for the teacher to use to jot down notes in class. Hopefully the teacher will find it really useful.

And since the teacher is new to the school, I made her a little welcome card too using the pattern papers that come in this line. What a great way to get into the school year for a teacher to get a gift and welcome card!

Sunburst shaped printed paper

I picked up this paper a few weeks ago at the store (and Shawna tells they still have some!)...not really sure how I was going to use it, but I just loved the bright colors.  I used my 2" circle punch for the pictures, and some mix and match colorful alphabet stickers for the title. 

New baby boy layouts

It's fun to have a cute "new" baby boy in the family again!!  I always love scrapbooking baby pictures. In these layouts I used lots of Bazzill cardstock along with baby boy printed cardstock from Three Bugs in a Rug and Creative Imaginations.

Paper Pals Design Team Call

Paper Pals is excited to announce that we are searching for new members for our design team. This call is open September 13th, 2010 through September 30th, 2010.

So WHO are we looking for?
We are looking for inspiring designers who are creative, ambitious, and love a challenge. We are looking for designers who can display the following:
~ Open communication skills
~ Unique individual style
~ Teamwork and cooperation
~ Ability to work within deadlines and under pressure

How do you apply?
Submit the following:
1. 2 or 3 of your favorite layouts that you feel best showcase your style
2. 1 altered item, home decor item, or mini book
3. 2 or 3 cards that you feel best showcase your style

All entries must have your name printed on the back. Submit your entries at our Pullman location September 13th through September 30th. (Remember, we are closed on Sundays).

The fine print:
The design team term will run for 6 months, October 2010 through April 2011.

If you have questions please contact Shawna at the store by calling
509-332-0407.

My Minds Eye "I Believe" Christmas line

Oh yeah... My Minds Eye has not disappointed, has it?

We've seen several of their new lines, and I say I'm super impressed with what our team has done with these great new products. You have so much to choose from at the store right now! Go check it!

Until you can get into the store, here's some more My Minds Eye for you to enjoy...

I pulled out the sewing machine for this layout and used some of acrylic stamps that go with this line. It was fun to break out of my norm to create this simple but attractive layout.

 The die cut sheet had some great tags, berries, letters, poinsettas... so fun! The pattern papers are extra special with glitter too.

 The ribbon and acrylic stamps make for some easy but lovely accents for your next holiday project.

So which of these MME product lines we've been posting lately is your favorite?

BOBUNNY'S-OLIVIA

This line from BO BUNNY is called Olivia. Oh so pretty. I love the color combination of pink and orange. I knew I had to pick this paper for my layout even though it is a challenge for me. You could just put a photo right in the middle of this paper and call it good. It is just so pretty. Of course I can't leave well enough alone so I had to embroider on it and put buttons and some glossy accents and some white puffy paint and...

The cards. The cutout sheet came with a bunch of pretty cutouts perfect for cards and scrapbooks. The other side was divided into 4 sections each 6x6. It would be great for those

We R Memory Keeper photo sleeves that are divided into the 6x6 sections.

New Halloween from My Mind's Eye - Blackbird

My Mind's Eye has done it again! This may be my favorite Halloween paper and accessories line. Ever.

Every piece of paper is double sided, which allowed me to have so many options for this page with only a couple of sheets of the paper. When I dropped off my creations today at the store, I couldn't help myself...I had to have some of every sheet (black cats, pumpkins, the cartoon figures in costumes, argyles, polka-dots, etc.)

There is also chipboard accessories, ribbon, and amazing clear rubber stamps that round out this line and make it a snap for you (and me) to create great pages and cards.




Now, for a little challenge. Head into the store to see what is different on the layout or cards from what you see in the photo of the creations. Because this is a "must see" challenge and posting on the blog will give it away, email me at anitacory@hotmail.com to tell me what you notice by next Monday (September 6th) and I will randomly select one of the responders and award them a prize!

Enjoy!
Anita