Latest Digital Scrapbook Projects

So, I know I haven't been blogging like I said I would, so I WILL rectify that next month, as I commit to engage in NaBloPoMo for November. I will be mostly done with my Halloween costume (say what? I'll explain more later), and my Project 365 should be dwindling down. Yay!!!

But, I have noticed that while I have posted many pictures, I haven't posted much on the digital scrapbooking scene, even though I HAVE done more of it, since I'm a design team member at PeppermintCreative.com.

So, I thought I would share some of my recent digital scrapbook projects. You can always go and see all of them by going here or following the Flickr badge on right there.

Enjoy!

I'm a Mint Chick!

For those of you that didn't see my announcement on Facebook, I thought I would put it here as well.

I am officially a Design Team member for PeppermintCreative.com -- a digital scrapbooking supplies site! I have been a member of Miss Mint's forum for several years now, and use many of her digital scrapbooking supplies to do my digital layouts and hybrid projects. Being invited to join her design team has been a dream come true for me, as I not only love her stuff, but she and the other members of her team are personable and really nice. I feel like I really know them!

So, what does being part of a design team mean? Basically, in exchange for free Peppermint Creative (PC) products, I am asked to design at least 4 projects a month using PC products exclusively, and also promote the site's products by posting my projects in other online galleries (I'm almost done creating and updating those, and will post them soon in my links -- but all my projects are always available through my Flickr site). I am VERY excited!

So, here I am, debuting my first projects as an official design team member of Peppermint Creative (check out my bio on the About page of the site, and my gallery there):

Happy Birthday Brian!

Today, my adoring husband Brian is having a birthday. He is 28 years young!

And the card above is one I made for him. Isn't it cute?!

I made him Strawberry Cheesecake pancakes for breakfast, and tonight we're splurging at Genghis Grill (although, hello, we have a coupon for buy one get one, hah!) and then ... to go see Phantom of the Opera. Apparently, it's the last time the Broadway touring show will be here, as soon it will stop touring. Sad. But ... glad we are able to go see it one last time. (Or, really, I should say, I see it one last time, because Brian has never seen the stage version, just the movie. Ooo ... he doesn't know what he's missing!)

Valentine's Day 2010

Happy Heart Day!

Brian and I don't normally go to too much trouble for Valentine's Day, and we try to keep it low key. Tonight we are having a steak dinner, with twice-baked potatoes, Caesar salad, rolls, and, for dessert, white chocolate cheesecake that I made from scratch. (Haven't tasted it yet, so hope it's okay. ^_^)

Brian also brought home some flowers for me last night. And some candy to share.

Earlier in the week I got all into the day with some hybrid crafts, and here are the fruits of my labors.

These last two items were for Brian. One is the card I made for him (I stole the idea from a Papyrus card), and the other is just a little "gift" I made him. ^_^

Hybrid and Thrifty Craft: Pear Art Wall Decor

So, remember the 5x7 black, distressed frame I found at Goodwill for a couple of dollars?

Well, I decided to try my hand at some wall decor, using pears -- an idea I got from the Thrifty Decor Chick, who got HER idea from The Happy Homebody. (I also thought I could make the color scheme work with the colors in my kitchen.)

Luckily, I didn't have to distress the frame (not that I needed to, but it lends some charm) and then had to search for some fake pears. Not all fake pears are created equal! Some have this sand core that is impossible to cut through. Yikes! But, my second attempt proved better.

So, after some time promised with showing you my thrifty finds re-worked, we have:

The before...

And, after...

Cute, huh? Something you could easily find at some little home decor place for like, what $15-20? (Altogether this was less than about $5.)

Now, you're wondering how this craft could possibly be considered hybrid? WELL, the paper I used to put behind the pear was digital scrapbook paper (from Shabby Princess' "Damask and Dots" kit) printed on matte photo paper. Hah!

Hopefully the weather will cool down some soon and I can get to some of my other projects, which involve spray painting.

Hybrid Craft: Glass Gem Magnets

I had seen these type of magnets before and thought that once I moved into a house I would make some for my newly decorated kitchen. However, we ended up moving to another apartment, instead. I have been trying more (smaller) things to make this place feel more like home, so I finally decided to make fridge magnets (because ours don't hold up much) that match a cute valance for a window in the kitchen that I bought shortly after moving in. Besides, I knew it would give me practice to work on a new craft. Overall I like them, but definitely see ways to improve how they're made. But hey, they're just for me, right? (Oh, and there are a few missing from the pic because I ran out of magnets. Oops!)

In case you're wondering, I printed digital scrapbook paper, along with some digital elements and digital stamps, so this is a hybrid craft. ^_^ (But easy to do with regular scrapbook papers, or fun pics from magazines or the newspaper.)

Hybrid Craft: Father's Day Card (2009)

CREDITS:
Papers and Elements (except for bubblewrap paint): "Tropical Popsicle" Kit by Miss Mint (Peppermint Creative)
Bubblewrap Paint: "Wild Weekend" Kit by Miss Mint (Peppermint Creative)
Font: Kashmir

TWO posts in one day?! *gasp* Well, I had to do a quick card because I have to mail these Father's Day cards and almost didn't have time to finish! I printed this on some new luster photo paper. While it takes ink nicely, unfortunately it doesn't take to scoring too well. Ah, well. I can use it for plenty of other projects. But I love the fun color -- and the font (which I had some fun with). ^_^

Hybrid Craft: Family Sign

Framed (and Final) Version

Digital Version

1 Crafty item down, 2 to go (if only Reva would get me her favorite colors!). This was for my friend Christine. Sort of a combo crafty/housewarming gift.

I've seen the "family established" signs all over the place lately. I've seen them on rustic boards, to nice beveled pieces of wood. I've seen a few framed, and thought that I could give it a little bit more character by making it a digital craft. I first found the frame and then made the digital print based on the size, then had it printed at scrapbookpictures.com (which it came out BEAUTIFULLY) and shipped to me. I did have to cut it down to fit the frame (which I knew I would have to do and planned it that way). Then just mounted it on the cute, scrolly easel.

The actual item looks closer to the digital print, as far as colors are concerned. I didn't have a lot of time to take a picture of the item, so I had to have Brian go out and take the pic for me in not-so-great light. But, it still looks nice. Most importantly, Christine likes it. Yay!!! ^_^

Hybrid Craft: Graduation Card

CREDITS:
Digital papers (polka dot on card; stripe on envelope liner): "Party Pants" Kit by Miss Mint (Peppermint Creative)
Black card stock: The Paper Company
Grad Caps/Mortar Board Elements: The Paper Studio
Glitter chipboard letters: Paperbilities (Westrim Crafts)

Font (not shown): ITC Esprit Std

This card is for my niece that's graduating from high school on Tuesday (I know, it's a weird day to graduate). I wanted something that was obviously a graduation card, but kinda girly and fun (and it actually matches her gift, which, on the off-chance that she happens to read this, I won't mention what it is). What I like is that the polka-dot paper wraps around a little to the back. I was too lazy to include all the detail shots. My friend Stephanie helped me out with the design, and then I realized it looked a little like my last card made with these digital papers (seen here) -- hah! But that's okay, it's still a cute design. And, I just can't help the glitter! ^_^

Hybrid Craft: Spiky Swirls Birthday Card

CREDITS:
Spiky Swirls PS Brushes: Mel's Brushes
Font:TW Cen MT
"Gold Linen Weave" Embossed Metallic Paper (for lining): The Paper Company
Card and Envelope: Crane Museo Cards
Other: Rhinestones


Done for KWerner's 50th Color Challenge!


I had a lot going on this week when this color challenge came out, and then the colors really gave me a hard time. It took me forever to figure out what I wanted to do, and I finally found some inspiration from a magazine to help me (VERY loose inspiration, but at least I finally got some idea in my head).

I decided to try my hand at making something that you might find at a nice stationery store (like a Papyrus), so I broke out my small box of Crane Museo Cards -- 100% cotton paper. Oh, it's SO yummy! I LOVE it. However, it doesn't really like printing borderless, so I decided to go with a simple, yet elegant design. Less is more! The brown came out pretty dark, but hopefully you can tell it IS brown. Obviously the card stands in for my white, and I love the way the other colors came out. This paper takes ink so well. The swirls are so fun, and you know me, I love swirls ... and rhinestones! AND, I found this delicious gold paper to line the card with. Technically, gold IS a shade of yellow, but since it's not really part of the card, hope it won't count against me ^_-.)

I do have to say, the picture doesn't really do this card justice. The soft texture of the paper is so lovely, and the woven gold paper just adds this richness. Love it! (And don't you just love the rounded corners? So fun!)

Hybrid Crafts: Mother's Day Cards

CREDITS:
All Papers and Elements: "Spring Fling" Kit by MissMint
Ribbon: Michaels
Font: Tagettes

CREDITS:
All Papers and Elements (except stitch): "Spring Fling" Kit by MissMint
Stitched Framed: "Foxy Lady" Kit by MissMint
Flowers: Heidi Grace
Rhinestones: Jewelry Essentials
Font: Pea Randa

These were done for Peppermint Creative's "Pimp My Page Challenge" #9 (April). Instead of doing a digiscrap LO I turned the LO into a template for a card. I think it works. I really like the way the second one came out. The drop shadows look so realistic. And, except for the flowers and rhinestones, everything else was printed.

Hybrid Craft: Mini Pizza Box

CREDITS:
Mini Pizza Box Instructions: Jen del Muro
Papers, Elements: "Damask and Dots" Kit by Shabby Princess
Other: pop dots, white buttons from my button stash
Font: Wellsley

Printed on Epson Premium Presentation Paper Matte

Done for KWerner's Color Challenge #48.


I thought I'd try something a little different this time around, and found this cute mini pizza box tutorial. You can put lots of little nifty gifts, like a couple of cookies, or some pretty jewelry (the one pictured is actually mine, and it is not a gift, but I thought the box would look better with something in it).

OH, and a little "tooting" of my own horn: the last color challenge I did was chosen by Kristina Werner herself as part of the Top 20 of her favorites (there were 214 entries), so I was totally excited to see this! See the Top 20 here. Yay!

Hybrid Crafts: Birthday and Wedding Cards

CREDITS:
Red and Pink Papers: Bren Boone
Cherry Blossom Brushes: Jason Gaylor
Glitter style: Thaty Borges
Font: Bienville

Printed on Epson Premium Presentation Paper Matte

My friend Lindsey is getting married in a few weeks (that's the wedding I bought the cute dress for) and since her wedding invites had a sort of cherry blossom theme, AND since I had some silver cherry blossom gift wrap which I had purchased some time ago from The Container Store, I decided to go with that theme for the card. (The word on the front says "Forever" even though the "v" is hard to read.) An extra stroke of genius on my part had me line the envelope with leftover gift wrap, and I love, love, love how it turned out! *hearts*

***

CREDITS:
All Papers: "Party Pants" Kit by Miss Mint (Peppermint Creative)
Font: Pea Beth
Other: Pop Dots (for dimension under the circles)

Printed on Epson Premium Presentation Paper Matte

A few weeks back I saw a card on Papyrus' site that I liked, so I tried to copy part of it with the circles with the graphics and sayings in it. But I added the part to the side, and so this is very loosely based on the inspiration. And, it's for no one in particular. I kinda like just making the cards.

Hybrid Crafts: Swirly Cards

CREDITS:
Swirls: Holly McCaig
Floral Overlay (on swirls and envelope lining): Fairy Dust Papers by Amanda Sok
Font (on back): Pristina
Other: Rhinestone

Printed on Epson Premium Presentation Paper Matte


Done for KWerner's Color Inspiration Challenge #47.


I LURV the way these turned out. At first I tried printing on a textured card stock, but when I tried to print, the color cracked (best I can explain it), so then I added texture with some overlays and it really gave it a nice pop. I also printed some on regular paper to make envelope liners with. It really adds a lot!

Hybrid Crafts: Black and White Cards

(Inside)

CREDITS:
Card Template: "Shanta Silver"
Papers: "Manhattan" Pack by Andie Smith
Fonts: Feliz ("Congratulations"); DB Floral Infusion (flowers)

Printed on (White) Epson Premium Presentation Paper Matte and (Gray) The Paper Company cardstock. SIlver ribbon is from American Crafts, and the rhinestones are from my stash (I no longer have the packaging, but they aren't the fancy kind).


Done for KWerner's Color Inspiration Challenge #45.


KWerner's challenges are geared more toward the card makers, but she accepts other things as well (which is why I usually do digiscraps LOs). So, I figured I would try and actually do some cards this week. I'm better off when I use templates, and the like, and this cute foldover-type card was easy and forgiving. It actually turned out pretty much like I had planned, which is nice. This card can easily be for a wedding, or anniversary, or some sort of accomplishment. (I think I know who I will give it to, but we'll see.)

AND, because I sort of messed up on my first printing, I decided to make another card, with a little punch of color, and went ahead and made it a birthday card. I also may have a recipient in mind, but it's kinda nice to just make them and then decide who they are for. Seems like less pressure, for me.

(Inside)

CREDITS:
Card Template: "Shanta Silver"
Papers: "Manhattan" Pack (B&W) and "Cape May" Pack (blue) by Andie Smith
Background Flower Image: Jess Volinski
Font: Wendy

Printed on (White) Epson Premium Presentation Paper Matte. Blue ribbon is from Michaels, and the rhinestones are from my stash (I no longer have the packaging, but they aren't the fancy kind).


(And sorry for the not-so-great photos -- it's been cloudy and rainy here for the past several days and getting any sort of natural light is impossible. Seeing as the color challenge deadline is tomorrow, I HAD to get the pictures taken. Ah, well....)

Hybrid Craft: Happy Fortune

I forgot to post this hybrid craft I made over a week ago for a friend's birthday (though if you keep an eye on my Flickr photos on the right, you might have seen it). I found a card-making set and made the takeout box and paper fortune cookies to match it (using digital papers and template for the box). I filled the small box with the recipient's favorite candy. Overall I think it turned out cute, though it took me a few tries to get the paper cookies right (darn card stock!). Next time I try this though, I think a small eyelet for the ribbon holes would work much better. Now I only need to get a cool eyelet tool (methinks perhaps a crop-o-dile) and some eyelets.

Late for Heart Day

Brian and I spent an uneventful Saturday at home for Valentine's Day. It was kind of nice. We slept in late, and then watched TV and movies the rest of the day (after doing some quick chores in the morning). For dinner we had a ham, twice-baked potatoes and deviled eggs. With key lime cake for dessert. Mmm! Our nice dinner was our "treat" to each other, instead of gifts, although we each handmade a card for the other. Brian tried his first attempt at hybrid card making. It was sweet and cute.

From me to Brian:

(I had originally intended this card for the VDay KWerner color inspiration, but I didn't capture the picture in time to submit it. Ah, well.)

The poem by Leo Buscaglia reads:

Love is always bestowed as a gift --
freely, willingly, and without expectation...
We don't love to be loved; we love to love.


From Brian to me:

I like the Japanese-inspired theme he used. Loved the little Anime SD boy and girl. Too cute! ^_^ (I won't post what he wrote, since it IS a little personal, but maybe you can read it.)

Hybrid Craft: Sunny, Flowery Birthday Card

Made this for a friend's birthday last week. It's a hybrid craft, because the stripe and floral paper (behind the "happy birthday") were digital papers which I printed and cut out and mounted on cut-and-scored card stock. I also added white card stock inside and printed a quote on it, and then added a traditional paper craft rubon over the quote (and also added a flower to the front). Overall I like the card, but something's a little off. I think I have a ways to go with card making -- I have issues cutting in a straight line. *LOL*