Hope you have a "Jam'n" week...

And after you see this project from Michelle, I'm sure you will!

Michelle made an adorable Jam Jar that is all decorated and ready to give as a little hostess gift or a party favor!  I can only imagine making this for a wedding favor (my family actually helped me can cherry jam for my wedding favor!) or to include this sweet jam jar with a loaf of zucchini bread in a little basket for a tasty hostess gift!  Take a peek!

Michelle used the JilliBean line, she decorated the front of the jar with a Jillibean label with sticker letters and a fun little strawberry embellishment with a little bit of bakers twine and a tag that reads "for you".  She also decorated the top of the jam jar with some paper and die cuts, then she popped up the strawberry.  There's a lot of little embellishments all over, little flowers, borders... it's a great use of all the different elements that come with a paperline!

Here's the back side of the jam jar.  There's a label (isn't that adorable?) with a picture on it.  The ingredients list reads "strawberries, lemon juice,, sugar, pectin and love" - the tab coming off the label adds a little something extra as well!

Remember, all of these projects are at Pages from the Heart on display, so go in a take a look - you'll see so much more when your there in person! 

Hope you're all thinking about what projects your planning to create for the Color Challenge!

See you all soon!

Andi

Our First Color Challenge...for you!

Hello! 

Remember the new and exciting news that we were teasing you about?  Well, here it is!  We decided to give the Pages DT a monthly challenge, where they'd have to incorporate something specific into a project... and we decided to give our readers the same challenge! Who knows, you might have your project featured on our blog! 

Our first challenge was a color challenge inspired by Page's From the Heart new color scheme in their new location... yellow, grey and kraft!

You can create any project, a layout, card, 3-D project... it's totally up to you!  You can use patterned paper, solid paper, embellishments... it's your interpretation!  You can add white and black into your color scheme as well.  Once you're created your projects using these colors, please email them to me at ayokleyjessup@gmail.com.

Here's what the Pages DT created with this challenge.

Christina created this great page layout using Kaiser Craft paper and a ribbon flower that she made herself!

Isn't it adorable?  You can create this same flower by using wired ribbon and going back and forth in loops, she used glue dots to hold the different loops together.

Here's another layout from Michelle, it's a feast for your eyes, I promise that you'll see more and more details every time you look!

I love how the flowers that she created double as frames around the pictures, I also love how she used the Twinery Bakers Twine to embellish the flowers (you can find the Twinery Bakers Twine at Pages).

And here's my project.  I created a card with this color scheme.  I love the simple card layout, you can change the colors, theme, stamps to fit any event!

I hope these projects inspire you to play along!  We can't wait to see what you come up with, so please take part in this challenge and email me with what you create!  The deadline to email me your projects is June 5th, midnight and we'll be posting the projects the following week!

Hope to see your creations soon!
Andi

This month's Creative Cutz project was created by the head of our DT, Andi.(as always hehe).  She used the "Peeker Bear" from Scrapping Cottage and the "Pillow Box" from Lifestyle Crafts.  This cute project is perfect to hold gift cards, jewelry, checks,  or any small gift.  I have 3 graduation gifts to give, so I changed mine up a bit and used graduation paper and put a mortar board on my bear's head.  Very cute results..even if I do say so myself!!  Thanks Andi for the inspiration!!!

A fun and cute card from Christina

Hello!  Good morning!

Today we'll be sharing a project made with a fun little Cottage Cutz die, $1 stamp, sentiment stickers and the WeRMemories paper.  Isn't this little guy so cute?  I love his little scarf around his neck!  Let's take a look at the card that Christina created!

 The "grass" paper is from WeR, Christina then stamped the flowers from a $1 stamp onto the card and colored them in with colored pencils.  She then die cut the little goose and put him together and glued him down so he was holding the flowers.  She punched out the scallop square and added the sentiment sticker with a little bit of ribbon to add some dimension!  Thanks for the fun card, Christina!

I hope that everyone has a great weekend!  The DT will be back next week with an awesome project from  our Guest Designer, Francine - if you love altered art and Graphic 45 then you'll love these projects!  I kept looking at them and seeing more details that I had missed the first 20 times I'd looked!  Also, as I mentioned in my post yesterday, we have an exciting opportunity for our readers that we'll be announcing next week about a challenge inspired by Pages! 

Andi

More inspiraton!

Hello! 

Well, it's after 7 pm and I was giving my little guy his bath and kept thinking "Did I do the Page's blog post for today??" - and obviously, I didn't!  So, here's a card that I created from the Nikki Sivils Summertime line!

I took the yellow patterned paper and glued it onto my kraft card base and then stitched around the edges.  I punched my scallop circle and glued that onto the center of the card, then stitched around the inside of that, like the center of a flower, but mostly just for a little more interest.  The white envelope is a die cut that I LOVE!  I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed, but envelopes are pretty hot right now!

The ice cream square is cut from a piece of patterned paper, then I ran it through my Zyron X Sticker maker, but I ran it through so the adhesive would go onto the patterned side that I wanted to use.  I then took some glass glitter and sprinkled it onto the square and then pressed it in.  I love this look - it's quick, easy and non-messy!  I popped up the ice cream square and used the "enjoy" individual letters for my sentiment.  I sewed along the bottom of the "enjoy" sentiment for added interest.

And that's it!  A pretty easy card, but a very sweet one!
We'll see you tomorrow, although I guess I can't guarantee a time! 
Andi

Good Morning!

We're half way through our week (yay!), and I wanted to share another project from Michelle that will surely help you get over the mid-week slump!

Isn't this page adorable?  I love it!  Michelle was inspired by JilliBean's journaling cards to create her own from the Jillibean patterned paper.  The page is 8" x 8", but she then framed it so the finished product is 12" x 12"!

 I love the glitter stickers too - they're all Thickers, but you could get the same effect by die cutting letters and then adding glitter or Glossy Accents to them!  I know it's hard to tell, but Michelle sewed around the edge of her page with a metallic thread, which really adds some pop without being over whelming!  And, of course, the pictures of her blowing a kiss to her husband are pretty cute!

Stay tuned tomorrow for more inspiration!  And, just to throw a little tease out there... we're going to try something new next week... a Page's inspired Challenge for all of you - our Readers and Supporters!  Remember to check back in on Monday to see what the Challenge is and how you can participate!

Have a great day!
Andi

Welcome back Christina!

Hello, Page's Peeps!

I wanted to share this fun, pop-up card made by Christina!  Christina had WeRMemories Family Line in her kit and made great use of her patterned paper and stickers on this fun, pop-up card!

Here's the card while it's starting to unfold.  The "Hold, flowers and scallop border are all from the WeR sticker sheet.  The sentiment reads "Home is where the heart is".

Here's the card when he's unfolded.  The house is a pop-up house by Sizzix - isn't it cute?  The tree, border on the "path", heart and the square on the chimney are all from the WeR's sticker sheet.

Isn't it cute?  I'm not sure if you can see it well, but Christina even added curtains in the little window!!

Thanks Christina!  Great job!

We'll see everyone back here tomorrow for another project from Michelle!  I also heard from our Guest Designer, Francine in NY, and I'm expecting something fantastic on our doorstep any day now!  Have a great one! 
Andi

Michelles Terrific Tutorial!!!

Hey Pages fan, this is DT member Michelle here with a tutorial on my pop-up card. This is a great card if you want to give something a little different as a gift to your friends. It mails flat inside a standard A-2 size card envelop but then pops up with its own built in stand. It makes a perfect housing for a photo, gift card or sentiment. The card construction idea came from Splitcoaststampers which you can also access here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/freestandingpopupcard/

1. Pop up tag - Construct a tag starting with a piece of paper measuring 2-3/4" x 5-1/4". From there you can be creative using more papers or other fun elements from your stash to decorate your tag. Keep in mind the bottom one inch of your tag will be covered so don't decorate that area. Also, try not to use heavy embellishments that will make the card lean back too much and therefore become unbalanced.

2. Card base - This is the trickier part of the card, so please measure and cut carefully for this section. Cut the paper you want for the base at 4-1/4" x 11". I'd use a heavier weight cardstock so your card holds up better. If you want to stamp or emboss your cardstock, now is the time to do so while it is still flat.

3. Scoring - Starting from one end, score at 1", 2-3/4", 3-3/4", 5-1/2", 7-1/4", 8-1/4" and 10".

4. Slit - To cut the slit where the tag will pop up from, fold the base in half at the 5-1/2" mark. Cut out a thin section 1/2" up from both edges. The darkened rectangular section in the photo below is what you will cut out. It measures 1/8" x 3-1/4". If you used bulkier embellishments, then you need to cut a wider rectangle so your tag will fit.

When you open the base back up, it will look like this.

5. Adhesion - Put your adhesive on both one inch scored sections on each end of your base. It will be on the side of the paper that you want showing.

6. Attachment - Slide your tag into the slit and line it up to the bottom of your base.

7. Completion - Press the two one inch sections with the adhesive together, so the adhesive sections are facing each other with the bottom of the tag in the middle.

8. Finishing Touches - You can decorate the base of your card further, including tying a ribbon through the base or adding stickers. Or just leave it as is, especially if you've stamped the base or used a patterned paper. For your viewing pleasure, here are two other cards I had previously made in this style.

Thanks, Michelle!  Awesome tutorial - can't wait to give this a try!  We'll see everyone back here tomorrow with another DT project to share!
Andi

More DT action!

Hello!

Good morning, it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day here!  The suns shining brightly, I don't see a cloud in the sky and it looks like the rain from the past few days has washed away any trace of smog.  So let's celebrate this gorgeous day with another project from Nikki Sivil's Summer Lane made by me!

Here's a page that I completed using a sketch that I found here.  Here's the sketch...

And here's my take on it!

Now, since this was the last project that I completed using my DT kit, I didn't have that much patterned paper left to work with... so I had to be very creative!  Instead of using paper for the strips behind the picture, I decided to sew onto my solid 12"x12", so I alternated between a straight stitch and a zig zag stitch.

Instead of the title on the bottom, I decided to place a strip of patterned paper that I did have left over under the picture.  Instead of the butterflies, I punched a scallop circle out of the patterned paper and glued that down, then cut the squares of clouds from the paper and actually thought of them as clouds.  I stitched around the sun with a zig-zag stitch to make it look more like a sun.

I opted to use rolled flowers on the bottom right-hand corner instead of the little half circles they have in the sketch.  You can check out my flower rolling tutorial here.

I used 2 strips of my patterned paper in the top, left hand corner instead of the half circles.  I added a button for a little dimension.  I used a sticker from the set and popped it up to add a little journaling on the page. 

And that's that.  If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a huge fan of sewing on paper!  In fact, I'm such a fan, that I asked the DT to sew on a project as part of a challenge for their next kit!  I'm also happy to say that the hat box/birdhouse project that I shared from the Page's DT is also on the Nikki Sivils blog, so if you enjoyed this paper line, you'll want to check out her blog to get more inspiration! 

Check back in next week for more DT projects!  And I'm hoping to receive our Guest Designer, Francine, projects sometime next week, so you'll want to definitely check those out as soon as I post them!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Andi

Viva!

We got out Viva Decor Pearl Pens in and you will love them! Every color is available. Check out the video showing the great ways to use these awesome pens.www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXWD9yVY60M

I'm totally stuck on these!

We're going to share more of Michelle's awesome projects today!  She created 2 different types of stick projects... some cupcake toppers using the i-Tool and some stick pins!  Take a look!

Aren't these little guys the cutest?  Michelle punched out different sized butterflies from her JilliBean Soup papers and layered them around stick pins, added some i-top bling and some wired ribbon for the antennas.  I love these all on their own, as seen here, or you could add them to a card or layout!  Super fun!

And here's Michelle's cupcake toppers - she used the i-Top tool to create this fun cupcake toppers!  I'll have to find out how she made the stars... I love how she personalized the cupcake toppers with a picture of her friend using the i-Top tool - it's also makes me want cupcakes!

I also think the flowers are the base of the pins are a great touch - it really adds interest and keeps your eyes moving around the project.  And isn't the pinwheel/lollipop adorable?  Michelle took some bakers twine and wrapped it in a circular pattern onto a circle piece of paper.  So cute and easy to do!  I also love the little strawberries dangling on the side of the cupcake stands - I just love how Michelle thought to use all the different product in such original ways!

You can check out more of Michelle's projects on her blog! 

We'll see you back here tomorrow!
Andi

A layout from Christina

Hello! 

Welcome back for another peak at what our Design Team turned out this month!  This project is from Christina, it's a great 12x12 layout with a little trick to share!

Christina's kit had WeRMemories Family Line - which is great!  I love the color combos! Since part of the Design Team's challenge is to stretch the supplies given, Christina decided to cut a hole from the orange paper that she used as the background since she knew that she'd be covering it up with the yellow solid!  That's a great way to stretch your supplies!  And don't you just love the fringe that she cut on the side of the yellow solid?  WeR's titles work great for a quick and easy title/journaling - just like Christina used here!

Remember, you can go into Page's and see all of the projects up close - you can even take pictures for inspiration if you'd like! 

I'll see you again tomorrow for another project (or 2!) from Michelle!
Andi

A very good morning and another DT project!

Hello!

Today is my turn to share something that I created using my Design Team kit - I had Nikki Sivils "Summer" paper line to work with which turned out very fun!  I don't normally consider myself a "cute-sie" person, but getting myself out of my typical comfort zone worked out really well!  As soon as I saw the paper, I knew what I wanted to create for my project - and here it is!  A colorful, fun, hat box!

I took a paper mache hat box that you can get from any craft store and I painted it with yellow acrylic paint.  I then took my patterned paper and cut the squares from it that had cute sayings - it was super easy.  I then took my solid paper and cut rectangles from it and decided to sew each piece together, like you would a quilt.  Very easy, very quick, a lot of bang for your buck!

If you can believe it, I did this whole hat box, a 12x12 layout and a card with only 4 pieces of patterned paper and 3 pieces of solid paper. 

I covered the wooden bird house with the patterned paper, I pieced the "roof" paper together and sewed them together the same way I did the band for the hat box.  I added a little bit of ribbon trim to clean up the edge of the roof.  I added bling around the house's opening - who doesn't love to come home to pretty sparkles?  The bird house is balancing on sticks that I pulled off a tree and wrapped with bakers twine.  For extra stability, I added a button under the bird house and connected it to the box lid.

 I used a 3" scallop circle punch and punched from my solid papers and from a patterned paper.  I then cut a spiral into the circle and then rolled each of my flowers,  I glued them down to the lid wherever I wanted them!  I took wooden spools and wrapped floral wire around each spool, then covered each spool with different colored bakers twine from The Twinery.  I then cut out the banner pieces from the patterned paper, glued them onto bakers twine and tied the twine onto the floral wire and glued my spools to the lid of the hat box. 

I added some bling on the flowers, randomly on the lid and wherever.  A flower and a button adorns the top of the bird house, just to finish it off.  I did sew a strip of gathered crepe paper and glued it to the rim of the lid - I trimmed it down a little so it didn't subtract from the bird house scene.  

I think that this box would be a great gift wrapping/gift for someone.  You could wrap a present in it, then they could use it on a shelf or to store crafting supplies in... I just think it's super cute and while it looks like a ton of work, it really wasn't that bad!

I hope that you're feeling inspired!  Please check out my blog for a flower rolling tutorial that I plan to post tomorrow!

Tomorrow we'll have a page layout by DT member, Christina, to share!  We'll see you then!  And thanks for checking out my project!
Andi

Yay! Design Team projects!

Good Morning, Everyone!

What an exciting morning!  Let's start off the week with a Pages Design Team project from Michelle, shall we? 

Michelle totally out did herself with these projects!  Everything that she created is super fun, cool and inspiring!  Let's start off with a very cool card, which has a special folding technique - maybe if we all ask very nicely, Michelle will share a tutorial on how she made this card later this week...

Isn't this card great?  And you might be wondering, "But how do I mail it??", and the cool part is, the card folds flat so it can fit into an envelope!

Isn't that cool?  Michelle used JilliBean Soup for her patterned paper, along with some JilliBean Journaling tags.  I also love the curled ribbon - it's awesome ribbon because it totally holds its shape but it's wired!  And, of course, isn't that sweet, sleeping baby just the cutest?

If you're too excited to wait to see the rest of the DT's projects through the week, you can always head into the store where everything is displayed and ready to inspire! 

We'll be sharing another DT members work tomorrow, so stay tuned!  And remember, if you want the tutorial on this card, let Michelle know!  You can check out Michelle's other endeavors on her blog, here!

See you all tomorrow!
Andi

NSD CROP DAYS

Looks like out National Scrapbook Day 3-Crop is a big success! Pizza was on Friday nights menu and went fast! We gave away lots of goodies and Debbie S. won the Friday night prize bag. Our crop space is HUGE now so everyone has their own table and can spread out - ahhhhhhhhh....

BIG WINNER!

We Won! Pages had the best window in town for the Monrovia Days Celebration! We received a gift certificate and lots of smiles! Come by and see it.

New Product!

I'm so excited....Doodlebug has finally arrived! It's been so long since I ordered that I forgot what was coming. I got papers and embellishments from Nifty Notions, Ladybug Garden, and Birthday Celebration(both girl & boy). The Braddies are so darn cute. Everything is so "happy looking". It never fails to bring a smile to my face. I hope you're reading this Chris L. You've been patiently waiting!!! hehe