TCP Studio-- Let's Eat!

This line from TCP Studio has the most suitable title... "Let's Eat!" As soon as I saw this paper I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

Our family's favorite recipes are used frequently, and I'm always fearful that I'll lose them. (I have them written up in word files too, but you know that if you lose the paper version your hard drive will crash too and then you'll have nothing... but I digress...)

So I created a mini book featuring our family favorites (along with photos). I don't think I'll lose a mini album. :)
Here's the front of the little book...

 And then the back... (TCP has the cutest cardstock stickers (utensils, etc.) for this project!)

 And inside. Each page has a photo and recipe. Some pages have handwritten notes from the members of my family to denote their favorites.

This was my first opportunity to use TCP Studios products, and I had a lot of fun with them! The pattern papers and cardstock stickers went so great together for the mini album as well as a few greeting cards, too.

What would you make with this line of papers?

Websters Pages

I love the Websters Pages New line at Paper pals! It is double sided with lots of interesting patterns! This year I had a little mini-obsession with circles. When I did my daily December book I found that I could do six little 1by 1/8 inch circles on the sides and it was really fun and really cute. I found different ways to decorate these little circles and I got a bit addicted to it. The card on top is done in a similar fashion. The "lovely" lay-out I did with a 2 inch circle punch and then with "Dream Big" I went back to the 1 1/8 inch size and used some little gear stickers from the Steam Punk sticker collection which is totally, absolutely awesome! They are also at paper pals. I used one of the Websters Pages papers as a background for it and really liked it. I love this paper, it has so many nifty patterns and possibilities. In the "Beauty" lay out I got myself a 3 inch circle punch and tried a lay-out that way. I hope I don't get arrested for having way too much fun! love, Deb

Sew Easy Stitch Piercer

Over the holidays I got to play with the Sew Easy tool.  I brought it on my trip to Canada with me and worked on a page I wanted to scrap lift.  I copied the description of the tool from the We R Memory Keepers site because they say it much better than I can.  Here is their description:

We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy makes adding stitching to your projects easy so you don't have to drag out your cumbersome sewing machine. This rotary stitch piercer creates perfectly aligned holes in over 25 designs and patterns (15 interchangeable heads available) with 22 great floss packs in 3 coordinating colors of over 26 yards of floss total. You'll love the baker's twine, glitter floss, variegated floss and the basic floss colors! Every crafter wants the new Sew Easy Carrying Case. Find out why the Sew Easy makes the hand sewn trend so popular!

Here is a link to a short video they have about the Sew Easy stitch Piercer
http://www.weronthenet.com/sew_easy_tutorial

I stitch on my pages a lot.  Usually I use a pointy tool that I purchased from the sewing section of Joanne's to make the holes in my pages.  It takes a bit of time to do this.  The sew easy tool is super fast.  I especially loved the straight stitch, which I use on my pages most of the time, the banner one and the loops.  Karen had 9 different heads for me to try and I used them all on my page.  I think they would be perfect for both cards and scrapbook layouts. 

This is what I did.

 I first penciled in a grid on my paper.  I used my Mom's quilting tool.

 Then I followed the lines with the Sew Easy using a different design for each horizontal line but a simple straight stitch for the vertical lines.

I penciled in the area where I will be placing the photo so I wouldn't have to stitch in that area.

Then I just did some stitching.  This took me a while because there is a lot of stitching but I just worked on it while watching TV and on our long drive home from Canada.  On the horizontal lines I used the We R Memory Keepers floss which is nice and thick.  On the vertical lines I used an off white embroidery floss.  I only used three strands of the floss because I wanted these lines more subtle.  Next I just added my photo and embellishments.

My inspiration for the page was from Studio Calico.  You can check out the page here: http://studiocalico.typepad.com/.a/6a0133f3181fde970b01675f74b6cf970b-pi
Thanks for looking.

Paisley Princess Collection...

I had some fun yesterday with ADORNit Caroleees Creations new collection called "Paisley Princess."  This paper is perfect for the princess in your life!