We R Memory's Simply Spring Collection

Hi Pages Peeps, this is Michelle back again this week with another set of projects to share with you.

The Collection

I worked with We R Memory Keeper's Simply Spring collection which features spring and Easter themed designs in subtle, pastel colors. This line is simply gorgeous, making is easy to create your own lovely projects. 

Project #1: A Banner Layout

This photo is actually from Thanksgiving but I thought the pastel background matched the pastel colors of this collection so I used a spring collection for a fall photo. If you like the colors, use the collection even if it isn't a corresponding theme. 

I used a PagesMaps sketch for the layout design with some variations. For more information about this layout, please see this post. This turned out to be quite a popular layout as it has won two online challenges that I entered. 

Project #2: Altered Easter Basket

With Easter coming up, I thought some people might want to make their own Easter baskets to give out. I started with a naked wood one that is from a craft store. I painted the wooden base with some white craft paint. 

Then I traced each side onto patterned paper, cut it out, and adhered it to the wood with Mod Podge. All four sides were covered using only one sheet of 12 x 12" paper. The basket is a reasonable size as it held the entire bag of large plastic eggs I had purchased. 

For a central decoration, I used a journaling die cut as the starting off point and layered it with some dimensional stickers, alphabet stickers and Stickles.

A child would love receiving a handmade basket, especially with all the goodies inside. 

Project #3: An Eggstraordinary Card

I wanted to make an Easter card featuring some Easter eggs, but instead of popping them up, I wanted them recessed into the card. 

I ended up popping up the front panel and embedding the Easter eggs behind the panel. 

I was going to cut out the Easter egg shapes with my Silhouette, but decided it might be faster just to do it the old fashioned way. I used the leftover egg shape from the sticker sheet as a tracing template and traced the eggs on my front panel. I then used an X-Acto knife to cut out the eggs. This made the egg windows from which the egg stickers could be seen. I used some Authentique alphabet stickers for my sentiment as they are the perfect size for cards.

I really loved working with this collection. To purchase the collection or see these projects in person, please hop on by Pages from the Heart! There are a lot of fun events and classes scheduled.

Bo Bunny Detour Collection

Hi Pages Peeps! It's Michelle here today with three projects to share with you.

The Collection
I worked with Bo Bunny's Detour collection which features travel themed designs in dark, masculine colors. More specifically, I wanted to utilize the little 6 x 6" paper pad on projects outside of a card.

Project #1: Sunburst Layout
I wanted to create a sunburst background, but the 6 x 6" size is too small to cover the entire width of a 12" cardstock. What I did was cut out a smaller piece of cardstock around 6 x 10," created the sunburst on the smaller cardstock and stitched it onto the larger background piece.

 Here is a mini tutorial on creating your own sunburst or sunrise background.

1. On a piece of scratch paper the size of your sunburst, draw out your rays. Number the sections for easier identification later. 
2. Cut along the rays to make some templates. 
3. Place your patterned paper over a piece of the ray and cut according to the template. 
4. Arrange your newly cut pieces and adhere. Stitch along the seams for a quilted look. 

This is a great way to use up all your loose scraps of papers. 

Project #2: You're a Rockstar
Even though this is a travel collection, I wanted to make something non-travel related. I wanted to use it on an easy gift item so I paired it with a can of Rockstar Energy Drink. The colors of the can matched perfectly with the colors of the Detour collection.

I used a cloth wrapped floral stem, which is found in the floral section of a craft store, as the starting off point. I attached a sign which reads, "I think you're a ..." which is completed by the name of the drink. To continue the rockstar theme, I made some star shaped flowers and attached it to the sign. The floral stem is a green color and didn't match, so to tone it down, I wrapped some black washi tape around the stem. 

I adhered the stem to a belly band that I wrapped around the drink. This would make a fun gift to give to a guy. 

Project #3: Mini-Album
For my last project, I made a travel mini-album. The cover is a piece of plain chipboard that I folded and added patterned papers and embellishments onto. I hole punched it and used two book rings to secure the inside pages.

The best part of the album is that the inside pages are made from the 6 x 6" sheets. Make a 2" fold along one edge, take two folded pieces and stitch on three sides. This will give you a pocket along the 2" fold to store tags, photos, memorabilia. 

The bonus is that there is an extra space between the pages (back to back). That is where I placed my journaling with little pull tabs. For more info., please see this post from Practical Scrapper's blog. 

Here is a view of all the pages inside. 

This is a great way to use up those 6 x 6" pads. If you don't have that, then just cut up a 12 x 12" paper and you'll have four pages to work with. I ended up placing all the memorabilia I brought back from my trip (brochures, photos, business cards, bookmarks, pins) inside the album. Otherwise, it would just be gathering dust in a forgotten drawer. 

All the projects are on display at Pages from the Heart, so you can see it in person when you come on by!

We have a busy week coming up.  This Wednesday, March 13th, at 6:30pm, Richard from Fun Stampers Journey, will be teaching his Fabulous 4 Card Class.  His classes are filled with techniques that you can use on other projects and his stamps will be available for purchase, so you can re-create to your heart's content! All this for only $30.  WooHoo!

Then on Thursday, March 14th, at 6:30pm,  Debbie will be teaching her Spring Butterfly Banner Class.  Be-jeweled butterflies, textured layered flowers, lacy doilies and flourishes adorn this five panel banner hung from pink tulle.  Made out of the Soleil Collection from Basic Grey, this collection is both serene and invigorating with its colors of soft lavender, juicy peach, tangerine, blueberry juice and watermelon.  The class fee is $23...definitely cheaper than therapy, and so much more fun!!

Stop by Pages this Saturday between 10am and noon and make this mini-basket filled with shredded paper grass and tied up with a rolled flower and flourish tag.  Perfect for your Easter dinner table, a quick party favor, or a little thank-you gift for a co-worker.  Your choice of four assorted patterns from the Walnut Grove collection by Pebbles.  $5.