Last Month's Design Team Challenge

With the design team call and the switching over from the old to the new, our challenge didn't get posted last month. I wanted to make sure the design team girls that participated got their work shown on the blog. We did a wonderful challenge that previous design team member Laura Achilles hosted.

The idea was for the first person to do a layout. Then the next girl in line would take "inspiration" from the person's layout before her. She would then take that "inspiration" and incorporate it into her own layout. This would continue on down the line until the last person has completed their layout.

I have asked the girls to tell me what inspiration they received from the person before them, and here is the final outcome.

First layout by Laura Achilles "Fashion Diva"

Second layout by Jennifer Matott "My Playlist" - Jennifer's inspiration was Laura's use of two photos and her scattering of stars.


Third layout by Linda Beeson - Linda's inspiration came from both Laura and Jennifer's layouts. She used the pink and circle design from Laura's layout and the paper pleating that both Laura and Jennifer used in their layouts.
Fourth layout by Mimi Leinbach - Mimi's inspiration came from Linda's paper pleating and use of a circle. Mimi pleated her ribbon instead of pattern paper.

Mimi's layout has been removed for publication.

Fifth layout by Ria Mojica - Ria's inspiration came from Mimi's ribbon pleating and use of Nikki's scalloped circle.
Sixth and final lo by Susan Dupre (me) - My inspiration came from Ria's photo in the corner; the use of Nikki's scallop paper; and her mix of different collections.
I hope you enjoyed our little challenge and the way our layout evolved. I hope you too can find inspiration by these layouts.
Happy Crafting,
Susan Dupre

Meet the Local DT girls and Scrap-a-Palooza Pics!

Hey everyone!! It's Katrina here and I am going to introduce you to our local design team girls! Now....they have no idea what pics I am posting....hee hee hee!!! And I got a new camera, so I am getting shots that some people probably wish I wouldn't! LOL And the camera was hot on the loose at the crop, so let's see what fun we all had!

First of all, let me introduce Karen Taylor. She is very funny and we have declared each other "scrappy sisters separated at birth"! She is quite talented, especially in the die cut/card department, but then again her layouts rock too! And she is looking all innocent here...but I know her!

And here is a layout she sent me. How cute is this??? She used Bella Blue and Oscar Too and the Pockets of Treats Stickers on her layout!!

You may have noticed in Karen's picture that there is an arrow with the name Stacey next to it....well, there is a story behind that. Next let me introduce Stacey Atchley. She is one of the ladies that put on Scrap-a-Palooza. She teaches card classes at Scrapbook Generation. And take a look at these cards.....how adorable. I want one! She used the Flaming Butterfly Collection to make these.

Now the story behind the arrow...apparently, I had a "stalker" at the crop.....the proof is right here........I had no idea she was behind me! And then she appeared in Karen's photo??? I think we are going to have to keep an eye on her! (thanks Heather for catching this picture!)

And then there is Ms. Laura Parks! The crop was the first time I had met her and she is so sweet! We probably scared her half to death with all our craziness! Now, I have a project from Laura, but it's what she brought to the crop....gourmet CUPCAKES!!!! YUMMY! We had no idea she was bringing them and when she divulged the information...well, we just about attacked the poor girl!!! Here she is showing them off!! (I took this picture as we were all rushing at her to get to the cupcakes!)

Here they are up close and in all their yumminess!!!!

And then I got a couple of just for fun pictures to post!!! Here is Nikki with her cupcake!

And here is the Graphic Bee, Heather getting into the box!! She looks so sneaky!!!!

And then there is the "lights out" picture!! A thunderstorm came thru and the power was out for about 5-10 minutes. The funny thing is everyone was snapping pics! hee hee

And this was at the end of the day...we were all worn out and a little loopy by this point!!! We decided we were cheerleaders and could possibly build a pyramid! Thanks Scrapbook Generation for including us in Scrap-a-Palooza!

Scrapbook Generation Team and Nikki Sivils Local Design Team

note to self....take group pics BEFORE the end of the night!!!!

Hope you enjoyed sharing all our fun, the wonderful projects from the local DT and getting to know them a little more!!! Be sure to visit their blogs! They are full of fun stuff and inspiration!!!

Have a Scrappy Kinda Day!!~~Katrina

i ♥ cards & who ♥s blog candy?!

How about you?
Are you a card maker?

Hey, it's Rae Barthel here with you today,
and I'm ready to share a couple of fun cards
that I made using Nikki's darling
Victoria's Street collection

On the first card, I opted for more of
a clean and simple look, using just solid papers,
and chose the lamp to be the focal point of the card.
When paired with a stamp from my collection,
the lamp definitely 'shines'! ;)

Now who else struggles with masculine cards?
I know that I do!!
I thought that these papers from
the Victoria's Street collection would make
the perfect 'manly' birthday card!

If you have made any cards recently using
any of Nikki's papers & products,
link 'em up below, I'd love to see them!!

Now for the C~A~N~D~Y!!!
As you know, being a part of Nikki's DT
means that we get to work with all of
Nikki's AWESOME products
and well, I just want to share the love!
So here's what you can do to try to
win some of your own....
Check out the awesome
Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker products
HERE
seek out your favorite collection/product
and then head over to
my blog
and tell me what it is and what you like about it.
Sound good?
I will choose a random winner
of some yummy
Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker product
from my stash
on Monday, July 12th.

Until next time~
happy paper crafting!!
xoxoxo~
rae

Scrap-a-palooza & a bit more...

Hey there all it's Nikki! First of all I'm so sorry I'm doing this so late in the day but my hubby and I have been trying to finish our or "my" landscaping project that I roped Dan into!! So I'm here now at 10:00 pm trying to get this blog post finished without falling asleep at the keyboard! Landscaping is hard work!!

My friend, Stephanie, local design team gals and I attended Scrap-a-palooza this weekend and had a wonderful time! My team and I also taught 4 mini classes using "Nikki Sivils" products and we had some much fun! So many talented gals were there! Here are some pictures from the day, courtesy of the ladies from Scrapbook Generation (my pics didn't turn out except for 2, that always make a girl happy).

250 Scrapbookers...

Scrapbook Generation's on site store (I swear they must pack up their entire store full of yummy goodies)!!

Now that's a table of paper...

Here I am with one of my classes...

The mini classes that my team and I taught were very successful we even ran out of our products for each class!

My Design Team Lead for the local DT, Katrina, helping me with my classes!

The Chocolate Fountains, need I say more...

Giving away some "Nikki Sivils" door prizes!

The Scrapbook Generation crew along with my team!
My local team.. Laura, Stacey, Katrina, Heather, Karen and I.

And these are the ladies that make it all happen!

Allison, Stacey, Debbie & Karin the Scrapbook Generation ladies!!

Now for the huge giveaway that the ladies from above and I put together for you. The winner is... TeenBugg38!! Email me your address and I'll get this out to you this week!

One more little bit of news...

Scrapbook Memories TV show that I'm going to be on this season, just posted their show order and numbers that they will appear on this new season!! My show's are 1605 & 1606, so check your local listing (its on PBS). I'm so nervous to see myself on TV! EKK... hope I did okay... never taped on a studio set before, I was so nervous I think my entire body was shaking! Here is a picture Dan took on the set this last February:

Okay that's it for me! I'm off to dreamland! Have a great week!! -Nikki

Ellie's Day Out

Hi Everyone,

Anna here with today's post. Here in the UK is glorious and I am enjoying the beautiful English Summer we are having here at the moment.

Today I am sharing some projects using Ellies Day Out. As with all Nikki's collection, "Ellies Day Out" comes with a shaped pattern paper. I love my shaped papers, which is why I "heart" Nikki Sivils!!!

On this layout of my daughter "Blooming" I used a half sheet of "Ellies Day" and layered on to 2 strips of paper; Pure Shopping, Pink is Pretty.

I love the delicate doilies out at the moment, so added a small doilies for a feminine touch.

My photo of my daughter has been mounted onto "Ellies Shoes".

I love to cluster embellishment on my layouts. I had fun cutting out lots of embellishments from the diecut sheet, "Ellies Cutie Cut Ups".

Handbags, tickets and circles were layered and clustered with chipboard flowers, pretty mulberry flowers and a chipboard birdie.

Finally I used some chipboard to make my title and layered this onto the tickets from the diecut sheet.

Here in the UK, we still have a few more weeks of school left, and all us Mum's are thinking about Teacher gifts.

I made a Thank you card and a cute giftbag that I will definitely use as a Teachers Gift this year; add a few homemade sweets/cookies and a gift card and my present is complete!

Thanks Card

I cannot waste any of my scraps, this card was made using the scraps from my layout. I cut the scallop semi circle from "Ellies Day" and added a few scrap strips onto my card with 3d foam pads. A couple of diecut shapes and a jewel adds the finishing touches.

Gift Bag

These gift bags are a staple in my house for making quick thank you gifts with a couple of homemade cookies in.

1 sheet of paper is all you need to make 2 bags! I have added a diecut handbag, a scrummy corduroy brad and a flag. Just add some pretty coordinating ribbon to tie your bag together.

Instructions :

• Trim your 12" x 12" sheet into 6" x 12"
• Now score 1 1/2" in from each side
• Next score 5" up from the bottom and from the top
• Score 2" down and 1 1/2" in, on all 4 sides
• Cut along the line to the 5" score line, and cut the 2" x 1 1/2" out.
• Ink if you want all edges at this stage
• Using double sided tape, adhere 2 of the flaps and stick to from a box
• Now lift up the 2 sides, you now have your basic cookie bag.
• I now made a flap to pop over the top of my bad, using a scalloped punch.
• I stuck the scalloped circle onto one side of the bag, and punch a hole and thread ribbon through to keep the bag closed.
• Decorate your bag as you wish :)
  
  

Enjoy your Summer, keep scrapping!

Anna x

http://www.scrappingtonight.blogspot.com/

*13* :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Hi all.....

Julie Tucker-Wolek with you here today and I wanted to share with you a mini I made using the Willow Bee line and the Tree chipboard album (I turned it on its side!) for my son Adam's 13th Birthday celebration this year! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

I also used Nikki's stickers and those EVER YUMMY burlap buttons! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

And have you ever used Nikki's stamps??? You SHOULD!! They are JUST sooooooooooooo clear and crisp...and CUTE CUTE CUTE to boot! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

And this photo is a JOKE! LOL! We had a fake mustache and Adam put it on!! LOL! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Thanks for stopping by...we truly appreciate the support on Nikki's blog... Don't forget to check out Nikki's giveaway and sneak peek of one of her new papers right HERE HERE HERE!!! :):):):):):):):):)  :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)  And I will be back here on the 13th with another post showcasing your WORK using Nikki's products...if you have done a LO, card or altered item using at least 80% of Nikki's products, make sure to send it my way at bmwgirl@cox.net so I can showcase your work here! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Dan the Record Man does it again!

Hi all! I am Mimi Leinbach your blog hostess of the day! I know I have said this before but I love the Dan The Record Man line. I seem to pull it out over and over...

I started off making this layout of my niece Samantha. She is an amazing softball player and I love seeing her play. I am always taking lots of pictures of her pitching and playing. This year she was a freshman in high school and not only did she make the varsity squad, she pitched all the teams big games and even had a NO HITTER...WOO HOO Sammy. I am a very proud aunt and decided to show her off in this layout!


Check out the Burlap Buttons and Cool Cord Brads.


Now I don't know about your house but mine has been hit hard by the Silly Bands Craze...actually the kids are driving me nuts with all the trading. I was finding them all over the house so I decided to make my boys altered boxes to keep them in.


I simply added pattern paper and ribbon to the edge of the box. Around the lid I used a liquid adhesive and sprinkled micro-beads over it.


Now these little bands have a home and it is much cuter than the Ziploc bags they lived in before. LOL!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Cards for June by Christine

Thanks for stopping by today. I have some cards to show you. The first one was a Father's Day card that I made. I loved using the flag to start my title. I used a lot of pop dots as well to add some dimension. Finally I added some texture by sewing a straight stitch around the circle.

The next card that I created is perfect for a new neighbor or a friend that has moved. I used Victoria's Street again on this card. I love that each of these cards use the same paper pad but are created for such different purposes. I colored the stamped image from Victoria's Street with my Copic markers, BG10, BG13 and E33, and stamped the sentiment with Rich Cocoa Momento Ink.

My last card was created with Flaming Butterfly. This paper is so beautiful and vibrant. I just love all the paper flowers that are being created with punches so I thought I would try my hand at one. I punched several flowers in different papers from the line and then curled the edges of the petals in different directions. Then I sprayed it with some Shimmerz Vanilla Spritz for a little shine. I punched a hole through all of the layers and held everything in place with a corduroy brad. I wanted to keep the focus on the flower so I just added some faux stitching with my black journaling pen and a stunning white and black polka dot ribbon.

I always love sharing my cards with you but I would really love to see the cards that you have created with any of the Nikki Sivils paper lines and embellishments. Leave a comment with your blog address so I can take a look.

Have a great day!! Christine