Giveaway at Practical Scrappers featuring Nikki Sivils!

Nikki Sivils is one of the hottest manufacturers around, and for good reason,  she creates some seriously fun products.  Her designs are bright and cheery, filled with animals and whimsical design.  It definitely stands out with its unique color combinations and coordinated lines.  Today Practical Scrappers is sharing projects from both the designers and reader submissions.  Check 'em out and then get yourself entered to win some Nikki Sivils goodies of your own!  And if you are up for it, she's looking for a guest designer...you can find all the details here!

Nikki has genersously shared some goodies from the "Summer" and "It's Your Day" lines to give away today.  

To enter here's what you need to do:

1) Make sure you are a follower at Practical Scrappers and leave  a comment telling us which of Nikki's lines is your favorite.

2) For a second entry become of fan of theirs on Facebook and tell them Practical Scrappers sent you and make sure you let Practical Scrappers know you did so! Or become a follower on their blog and let Practical Scrappers know!

Deadline for entry is June 1st!

Clean & Simple with The Kraft Journal

This week it's all about Clean & Simple at The Kraft Journal. Sometimes Clean & Simple can be harder than it sounds. Normally I would say that is my style, but when I sat down for this one....clean & simple seemed to stump me..LOL

Here is the layout I created while keeping Clean & Simple in mind,

Sometimes I have a hard time leaving blank space on a layout, I feel like I need to add something. I didn't this time, I kept my focus and knew when to stop adding. Nothing could be more simple than dry embossing strips of Brown Kraft Cover Weight Card Stock and inking it up with Vintage Photo Distress Ink to create a background for a layout. I used several different embossing folders on different widths of paper to add interest. Just because something is clean and simple doesn't mean it has to be boring!
Vintage Dictionary Pages punched with a scallop circle punch created a cute border for the photo and a Buff Post Card Shipping Tag makes a perfect journaling spot.

Be sure to head on over to The Kraft Journal to join in on the fun this week. Plus, you don't want to miss what the other designers created!!

Stand and Salute with The Kraft Journal

This week I  made this adorable Thank You gift bag for a friend that just returned from the Middle East. Non-traditional stars and stripes paper give this Kraft Coffee Bag a fun whimsical feel. Actually, this paper is a non-traditional Christmas paper that I just adore by Scenic Route. I love the colors, stars, stripes and dots and I thought it would be perfect for an out-of-the-box patriotic feel. I tied off the top of the bag with a bow out of Natural Twill Tying Tape. I cut a few stars on my Cricut from the Potpourri cartridge and layered them with pop-dots. I used a white gel pen to make faux stitching lines on the red stars and squares of paper. You can see a tutorial on how I did the pattern with the paper on Splitcoast Stampers right HERE, it's called the Bargello Technique.

Be sure to head on over to The Kraft Journal and check out this new challenge. Our fabulous design team always has the greatest projects to share and inspire!

Papercraft Star Challenge 45

Challenge 45 at Papercraft Star

 With this photograph as your inspiration create a project that includes: At least one die cut or stamped image, A metal element or button and two different patterned papers.

Here is what I came up with for this challenge,

I was really inspired by the bright colors in the photograph. And, this idea was sparked by my Stampin Up catalog/idea book. I used all Stampin Up products here except for the little silver bling and the frame. I really like how this turned out and it is going to be part of a graduation gift for a friend of the family who is already done with her bachelor degree...my how fast the time went by!

I hope that you will join me over at PCS for this challenge. You have until 9pm (eastern) Sunday, May 15th to get your project linked up before the voting begins.

Bracelet Tutorial for The Kraft Journal

Welcome to another tutorial for The Kraft Journal!

Use this week's Buttons and Bows theme to inspire you to create a project and then link it up at The Kraft Journal before 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Sunday May 15, 2011.  All participants in our challenges for the month of May have a chance to be featured on our "Feature Me Fridays" posts as well as be entered to win a $15.00 Kraft Outlet Store Voucher!  The more challenges you enter this month, the more chances you have to win!

My New Blog

Hello my crafty friends!!

I have decided to start a new blog to help with my weight loss journey. I would love for you to join me!! I named it "where do I fit in with THIN".  If you have a weight loss blog, please share the link with me. I am looking for some to follow that will help me stay motivated. My hope is that by having an avenue to vent my frustrations and celebrate some victories I will be able to stay more focused on my goal.

Have a great day!!

Birthday Cards at Practical Scrappers

It's all about Birthdays this week at Practical Scrappers! Today is cards and Wednesday will be layouts.

I made a cute and simple birthday card with this adorable stamp set from Stampin Up!. I just love that display of yummy sweets. I even broke out my, much neglected, Copic markers for this one. Be sure to head on over to Practical Scrappers and take a look at the other birthday cards on display.

The Kraft Journal - Mother's Day

It's all about Mother's Day this week at The Kraft Journal!

I  chose to make a non-traditional Mother's Day card for this week's challenge. Somehow the gushy cards just don't seem to fit the relationship I have with my Mother. I typically stick to more of a Thinking of You theme when I am creating or purchasing a card for her on Mother's Day. I started with a Kraft Blank Note Card and matching envelope for the base. It is decorated with stripes made from Decorative Paper Tape and a layered flower made from the same paper tape. (You can see my tutorial on how that flower was made). Butterflies were stamped and then punched out of Lunch Bag Kraft Text Paper and the body was wrapped in Brown Kraft Baker's Twine. I love the extra added touch of stampin on the envelope to match the card!

Head on over to The Kraft Journal and take a look at what the other amazing designers on this team have created with Mother's Day in mind.