I've started a new feature at gel-a-tins~

If you haven't already seen it today, head over to the gel-a-tin stamps blog.  We're doing a new monthly challenge.  You have to use your gel-a-tin stamps to make a project, making sure that you meet the details of the challenge and you'll be entered in a drawing to win a stamp set! 

This month I'm challenging everyone to use their stamps to make the embellishments for their page.  Check out the sample I made with the Super Star set...

Go to my side bar for the link to the blog!

I'm running a challenge...

...and gel-a-tins is sponsoring a give-away! 

I was asked to put up a challenge over at a forum called Piece of Scrap :)  I am challenging users to take their stamps and make a background paper with them.  Here's my sample:

I used a star set by gel-a-tins to make that background.  I love the set!  I even used the same stars to make an embellishment and a journaling spot!

Here's the deal.  The thread is here.  You'll have to join to play along if you want a chance at the prize.  That prize?  This fab star set of stamps!

So, head over, get to stamping and win some starry goodness :)  Good luck!

Gift tags!

This is just a quick post to let you all know that I haven't forgotten about you :)
I do have some more projects that I'll be posting over the next few days, but I have to get them finished up first!
These tags are sooo easy.  I use them on layouts and projects all the time and you could make them into ornaments (like they suggested last month over at Scrapfreak) or make pretty little gift tags like I have here.

To make the main part, just score 2 pieces of paper that are 1-2 inches wide by 12 inches long.  I score about every half inch.  Accordion fold, cut the folds to points on one side and glue the ends together.  Shape into a circle and hot glue the shape and a loop of twine or ribbon to a scrap piece of paper to hold in place.  (I usually use a punched circle).  Glue a stamped die cut to the top. Easy peasy!  I hope everyone is enjoying the season!

Hero Arts and Glue Arts projects!

I am such a fan of acrylic stamps, and the ones that I got from Hero Arts were awesome.  The images were perfect every time and they're so versatile.

First I made this layout.  I am a project and layout kind of girl, they're my favorites!  The picture is of a friend's daughter.  I needed a girly subject for these stamps :)  It's so easy to take a gorgeous, big stamp like this and make your own background paper with a little kraft cardstock.  It's my first time machine sewing on a layout so I hope you like that too!

Love layout




Supplies Needed:

Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro

Glue Arts U-cut It foam adhesive

Glue Arts Raisen's

Glue Arts Adhesive Squares

Glue Arts Micro adhesive squares

Glue Arts Extreme adhesive squares

Hero Arts Delicate Blossoms stamps

5x7 photo

Kraft cardstock

Assorted embellishments and stickers

Sewing machine with white thread

Edge distresser

Purple and green watercolor pencils

2 patterned papers

Edge punch

Fine tip scissors

Black ink pad

File



1. Stamp the larger flower image along the bottom of the card stock in black ink. Vary the height of each stamp. Color the images with the colored pencils.

2. On a scrap piece of cardstock, stamp the smaller flower stamp five times in black ink. Color the images and cut out with the fine tip scissors.

3. Attach the cut out images to the background paper with U-Cut It adhesive. Vary the heights of the attached images and trim any excess off the bottom of the page.

4. Sew along the top and sides of the layout with the sewing machine and use different stitches.

5. Attach an inked piece of paper that is 7 3/4" by 4" to the right side of the layout with the Glue Glider Pro.

6. Trim another piece of accent paper to 5.5"x7.5" and use the edge punch along two sides. Ink and attach over the first piece of paper with the glue Glider Pro.

7. Distress the edges of the picture and attach of the other two pieces of paper with Raisen's.

8. Cluster the embellishments on the left side of the page. Lay the word stickers down first and fill in around them with the other embellishments. Layer flowers and attach with the Adhesive Squares. Attach heavier items with the Extreme Adhesive Squares. File the edges of items with a shiny finish before inking. Choose some items to attach with the U-Cut It foam to add dimension.

9. Ink around the edge of the background paper with black ink.
 
You know how I said that I'm a layout and project kind of girl?  Cards are just not my forte.  I don't know what it is about them but I'm very rarely happy with a card when I finish it.  I was okay with this one.  I really loved this pad of paper from Cosmo Cricket when I got it and I knew it was going to be perfect for cards.
 

Simple Hi card



Supplies needed:

Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro

Glue Arts Ribbon Adhesive

Glue Arts U-Cut It foam adhesive

Glue Arts Adhesive Squares

Hero Arts Bold Blossoms stamp set

Hero Arts Big Hugs stamp set

Card blank

paper scraps

Brown distress ink and sponge

Black ink

Cream ribbon

Paper trimmer

Scissors

Edge punch



1. Cut a piece of paper to fit the front of the card blank and ink and sponge the edges. Attach to card front with Glue Glider Pro.

2. Cut a strip of paper to 1.5" wide and ink and sponge. attach to front of card with Glue Glider Pro.

3. Cut a strip of paper to 1.5" wide and use the edge punch along both sides. Ink and sponge and attach to card with Glue Arts Ribbon adhesive.

4. Cut two pieces of cream ribbon and tie in a knot. Attach to card with Glue Arts ribbon adhesive and trim all ends.

5. Stamp the sentiment onto a piece of paper in black ink. Ink and sponge in brown ink.

6. Stamp two sizes of flowers onto paper with distress ink and cut out. Attach in a cluster using Glue Arts Adhesive Squares.

7. Attach sentiment over flower cluster using Glue Arts U-Cut It foam adhesive.

Using the distress ink to stamp the flowers on the patterned paper made it easier to actually see the paper through such a solid stamp.
 
Thanks for stopping by!