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Trendy Tuesday – Chalkboard Technique

Trendy Tuesday – Chalkboard Technique
by Katherine Elliot

Browsing the internet for new trends and techniques can be very addictive. I hope that any new Trend reporters will have caught this bug, too, and will be ready to share their inspirational finds with us soon, but this week it”s my turn, and I just fell in love with these images showing off the “Chalkboard Technique.”

Love at First Sip card by Dawn Easton, image source Treasure Oiler Designz

You may have seen variations of this technique before, some using colored chalks on top of craft or Versamark ink, like seen in a tutorial for a variation of the Chalkboard Technique by Beate Johns at Splitcoast Stampers. You can see the tutorial here.

Stamp your image on dark cardstock, image source Splitcoast Stampers

The creative people at Splitcoast Stampers also had a challenge for the latest version of this technique and some basic instructions on how to create these images on their Technique Challenge thread.

Further promoting the latest trend in this technique that so closely resembles a classic schoolroom chalkboard, is a tutorial and the wonderful projects created by Betsy Veldman. You can find basic instructions for the dusty chalk images featured below found at her site here.

Chalkboard technique in progress, image source Paper, Scissors & Super Heroes

Card by Betsy Veldman, image source Paper, Scissors, & Super Heroes

This technique looks superb with a focal sentiment on your card or project, like in the beautiful creations shown below…

Chalkboard card by Wanda Cullen, image source Cullen-ary Creations

Be Mine Card by Amy Rohle, image source Ink About Me

Card by Penny Smiley, image source StampnSmiles

With a classic black and white sentiment as a focal point, your color choices for the rest of your layers and embellishments are endless…

Card by Dina Kowal, image source Splitcoast Stampers

Papertrey Ink had a challenge earlier this year focusing on this trend that shows off talented artists” creations using this technique. Find more Chalkboard Technique examples from their previous Make It Monday challenge.

Card by Michele Hetland, image source I Am Derby

Card by Ashley Cannon Newell, image source Ashley Cannon Newell”s blog, With All My Heart

This technique focus occurs at a good time of the year – holidays are long over, and many are happy to have the kiddies back in school. While the kids are back in the classroom, time for you to break out your own technique study skills and give this a try. Happy crafting everyone!

You Light Up My Life Card Video Tutorial

Happy New Year! All of us here at Paper Crafter’s Library wish all of you, our readers, and your families and very Happy New Year. We are looking forward to a very exciting and inspiring new year and hope that you are too!

You Light Up My Life Card

I find that I often struggle to make masculine themed cards. As I was going through my Papertrey Ink stamp sets, I came across this Lighten Up stamp set and came up with a brilliant idea. I used the lamp image and greeting from this set, along with the “rays” from the Nativity Silhouettes stamp set to create this You Light Up My Life card. This card would be great for that special someone for Valentine’s Day, an Anniversary or just because.

Download the pdf handout here

You can view a video on how I created this You Light Up My Life card below.

Supplies:

Stamps: Lighten Up, Nativity Silhouettes (papertrey ink)

Ink: Island Indigo, Pool Party and Daffodil Delight Classic inks, Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Write Marker (Stampin’ Up!); Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko)

Paper: Island Indigo CS, Pool Party CS (Stampin’ Up!); Stamper’s Select White CS (papertrey ink)

Accessories: bone folder, Stampin’ Dimensionals, paper snips (Stampin’ Up!); Glossy Accents (Ranger); Crystal Twinkles (Taylored Expressions); Tape Runner XL (thermo-web)

Have a great weekend!

Paper Crafter’s Library Membership Winners

In January 2012 Paper Crafter’s Library celebrated its first year anniversary. In that time we have established ourselves as the THE all-in-one learning solution for paper crafters with the largest {and best} online library of video tutorials on the internet. From beginner through to advanced, covering product instruction, techniques and project ideas for stamping, card making, scrapbooking and altered art – we have something for everyone!

That’s why as part of our first anniversary celebrations we had an exciting contest which we ran for 9 months – where we gave away a total of 18 ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIPS to the Paper Crafter’s Library – each valued at $200! Today, we are going to share our final two winners.

Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…

and

Congratulations Kathy and Lucy! Please email us at customerservice@papercrafterslibrary.com and put “PCL One Year Subscription Winner” in the subject line. We’ll need you to email us all your info – first and last name, your choice of a username and password, your mailing address and phone number.

Graphic 45 Spotlight With Designer Susan Lui

Here is the latest installment of our Graphic 45 Guest Designers. Many of you may remember that back in April we hosted a Graphic 45 Week on the Paper Crafter’s Library Blog. It was week filled with projects and inspiration using Graphic 45’s Tropical Travelogue Collection. We had such a great experience partnering with Graphic 45 and their design team, and such a great response from you, that we’ve decided to partner with them on an ongoing basis. The first and third week of every month one of the Graphic 45 Designers will share a project they’ve created here on the PCL Blog. We started with our monthly designers in June and before I introduce you to our latest Designer, I just wanted to take a minute to re-introduce Graphic 45 for those of you that may not be familiar with the company.

Graphic 45 is an award-winning scrapbook and paper crafting company— owned and operated by a mother and her two daughters.

Diane Schultz (pictured center)—Designer and CEO (aka mother)

“I’m passionate about being creative and eager to make it possible for others to find their creative voice. My background includes stints as a designer for, McCalls, Simplicity, Vogue/ Butterick, Mattel Toy Company and a host of other jobs that each, in some way, led me to what I do now. At 45 I went back to school and got my degree in graphic design— I named the company to celebrate that achievement.”

Aimee Filimoehala (pictured left) —Director of Operations

“I wear a lot of hats and love it that way. Business, marketing, operations, etc. have made me a pro at multitasking (aka juggling‑figuratively and literally). When we launched Graphic 45 just three years ago we had no idea what was in store, working together as a family has been an amazing journey that we all feel so grateful to be apart of.”

Charee Filimoehala (pictured right)—Director of Customer Service and Design Team Coordinator

“I joined the team a little over three years ago and haven’t looked back…what a life-changing experience this has been. I love working with and around creative people and products (not to mention I like my co-workers quite a bit). I spend my days working with our friendly stores and talented design team…the occasional trip to a workshop or tradeshow pretty nice too.”

Together we create vintage inspired crafting products that capture the flamboyant style of the 1920’s and 30’s – with vibrant color, irresistible texture and imaginative design to create products with decades-old appeal that’s both fresh and familiar. Let our products inspire your next scrapbook layout, card, album or home decor project.

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Here’s a picture of their booth at the CHA show which absolutely blows us away every year! The artwork inside is absolutely stunning and totally unique. At the last show as we were speaking with Diane she told us that many of the altered pieces were vintage finds which she and her team transformed with their gorgeous Graphic 45 products. We can’t wait to stop by their booth at the Chicago CHA and see what they’ve got in store this year!

Here’s a picture of the Graphic 45 team – they’re always dressed in period costumes to complement the themes in their collections – every day of the show brings a new set of costumes. The ones shown below were for their Little Darlings collection.

Graphic 45 Designer Susan Lui

Our next Graphic 45 Guest Designer for this month is Susan Lui who is part of the 2012 Graphic 45 Design Team. We are very excited to share her project with you. We know you will love it as much as we do!

You can see Susan’s fabulous project below, but first, here is a little more about Susan:

Hello! I’m Susan Lui and I’m delighted to be featured on PaperCrafter’s Library as part of the wonderful Graphic 45 Design Team. I’m from Singapore. I started scrapping a few years ago and fell in love with papercrafting because it allows me to record and preserve memories for my family in a manner that appeals to the creative side of me. I have a fondness for shabby-chic designs with a vintage touch but will frequently venture over to the dark side for a distressed grungy adventure with mediums. I like my projects to have lots of texture and dimension and my layouts frequently end up very three-dimensional because of the mediums and embellishments I use. Aside from papercrafting, I enjoy travelling and photography.

I was on the Graphic 45 design team in 2009/2010 and have really fond memories of my term then and am so happy to be back on the design team of my favourite manufacturer again. If you’d like to see more of my creations, please visit my blog at www.luv2scrap-pages.blogspot.com.

Thank you and happy scrapping! I’ve created a layout on my cute little doggie using Graphic 45’s new Place In Time collection:

I’ve used Place In Time’s May Cut-Aparts and May Foundation papers in this layout. I love the purple on this patterned paper and the wonderful springtime images of flowers and butterflies. I created a circular background, using doily punchers to create a lacey scrunched up border, and layered this over more patterned paper and doilies.

To compliment the floral images in the patterned paper, I’ve embellished the layout with a flower cluster on either side of the photo, with cut-out butterflies flitting through the flowers.

The title is on a purple banner using sticker alphabets from Graphic 45’s Happy Haunting Alphabet Stickers. I layered the alpha stickers on a couple of sheets of purple patterned paper, popping them up with 3D foam dots for more dimension. The banner is linked together using a lovely green silk ribbon from May Arts and the ends of the banner ribbon flow into the flower clusters in a soft swirl.

I hope you liked this layout of mine, the supplies are listed below. For a look at more of my creations, please visit my blog at www.luv2scrap-pages.blogspot.com

Happy Scrapping!

List of Supplies:

Patterned Paper – Graphic 45 Place In Time May Cut-Aparts & May Foundation

Alphabets – Graphic 45 Happy Haunting Alphabet Stickers

Adhesive – Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares

Ribbons – May Arts Ribbons silk ribbon

We hope you have enjoyed this fun creation from Susa. I would also like to extend a warm thank you to Susan for sharing her exciting holiday gift idea with us! Please take a minute to stop by Susan’s Blog and of course the Graphic 45 blog to check out all their amazing creations!

Birthday Washi Tape Card Video Tutorial

I hope that you have enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends! Please note that Papercrafter’s Library will not be posting on December 31st or January 1st. Our next post will be viewable on January 2nd. We hope you all have a wonderful start to the New Year!

Birthday Washi Tape Card

Washi Tape is something that I find I am drawn to. There are so many pretty colors and patterns out there I just can’t resist. For today’s project I decided to pull out my stash of Washi Tape and this is what I came up with – this Birthday Washi Tape card. I added that final bit of bling by coloring some clear rhinestones to match the two colors of Washi Tape.

Download the pdf handout here

You can view a video on how I created this Birthday Washi Tape card below.

Supplies:

Stamps: Birthday Basics (papertrey ink)

Ink: Jet Black Archival ink (Ranger); YR23 and RV13 Copic markers (Copic)

Paper: Stamper’s Select White CS, Hibiscus Burst CS (papertrey ink)

Accessories: bone folder, paper snips (Stampin’ Up!); pink polka dot washi tape, yellow polka dot washi tape (craft store); clear rhinestones (Kaisercraft); Tape Runner XL (thermo-web)

Have a great weekend!

Decorated Gift Box

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends! Today I would like to show you a project I created for Paper Crafter’s Library members a few weeks ago. As I walked through the isles of my local dollar store I saw these kraft colored paper mache boxes. While the box itself was nothing special, my mind starting thinking about all the ways I could embellish this it and turn it into a beautiful box to house a special gift. I embellished this particular box with felt flowers that I created, along with some tulle ribbon and various greenery stems that were purchased from my local craft store.

We have a video for our members here. (You must be logged in to view the video)

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White CS (Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: Classic Kraft felt, Vintage Cream felt (papertrey ink); Grand Circles Grand Nestabilities, Standard Circles Large Nestabilities, Grand Calibur (Spellbinders); 2 ⅜” Circle punch (Stampin’ Up!); Pretties Kit (retired), Craft scissors, paper snips (Stampin’ Up!); hot glue (Martha Stewart); Vanilla Tulle trim (Maya Road); ½” Scor-Tape (Scor-Pal); Linen Burlap trim (Maya Road); floral stems, button shank cutter (craft store); paper mache box (Dollar Store)

With Love Video Tutorial

We have been really busy this last week preparing for Christmas, as we know all of you have been. We will be taking some time off to celebrate with our families, which means that we will not be posting on December 24th, 25th or 26th. Our next post will be viewable on December 27th. We hope you all have a safe and a very Merry Christmas!

With Love

I had so much fun creating this card. I have now moved on from my Christmas creating and decided to work in the pink tones! The Artisan chipboard embellishments made it really easy to create this card. With the addtion of a few rhinestones (I just love glitter and bling!) my card just came together!

Download the pdf handout here

You can view a video on how I created this With Love card below.

Supplies:

Stamps: Hand Penned Holidays (retired) (Stampin’ Up!)

Ink: Pink Pirouette Classic ink (Stampin’ Up!); Jet Black Archival ink (Ranger)

Paper: Sweet Blush CS, 2008 Bitty Dots Basics DP (papertrey ink); Whisper White CS, Silver Glimmer paper (Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: Stampin’ Dimensionals, rhinestone basic jewels, Big Shot multi-purpose adhesive sheets, Whisper White ½” Satin ribbon, stamping sponges, Craft scissors, bone folder (Stampin’ Up!); Artisan chipboard heart, Artisan chipboard arrows (Pink Paislee); hot glue (Martha Stewart); Tape Runner XL (thermo-web)

Have a great weekend!

Call for Paper Crafter’s Library Trends Reporters and Product Reviewers

As you have seen each week, one of our primary goals for the Paper Crafter’s Library Blog is to keep our readers up to date on the latest information in the paper crafting industry through our Trendy Tuesday weekly articles. We are interested in expanding that section, and are looking for your help to do just that! We also would like to bring to our readers some product reviews on the latest and greatest in the industry. Someone to use non consuable products and review how they work, what they like about them, and what they can do for us. If you think you’d be interested in being a Paper Crafter’s Library Trends Reporter or a Paper Crafter’s Library Product Reviewer, then read below on how you can apply!

Trends Reporter

What we are looking for:
Paper crafters of all types and calibers. You don’t need to be on any design teams and I you don’t need to create samples. We’re looking for someone who loves working with a variety of different products from a variety of different manufacturers. You should be comfortable on the computer and on the internet – if you already spend time browsing the internet and checking out blogs and company websites for ideas and inspiration, then this would be perfect for you! You should be comfortable with blogging – a familiarity with WordPress is helpful but not essential. Good English writing skills are a must as you will be creating your own content for the trends acticles you’ll be sharing with our readers.

What will a Trends Reporter do?
Write one to two articles a month spotlighting a current trend in the paper crafting industry – this could be a color, a pattern (i.e. chevrons) or a product (baker’s twine, doilies, banners, etc). Each trend article should include a brief description of the trend, photos of that trend incorporated into a variety of different projects (you don’t have to create the projects – you’d find pictures on Pinterest, Flickr and Google Images) and then 4-6 different products each from different manufacturers that incorporate that trend. CLICK HERE to see a sample of what type of article we are looking for.

How to apply:
Research and create a trend article focusing on ONE trend. The article should be as outlined above. Send your article to customerservice@papercrafterslibrary.com as an attachment to an email (please do not embed the article or photos in the email itself). You can send your attachment as an Word document or as a pdf. In the email please include your full name, email address, phone number, location, links to your blog and other online platforms. Please also let us know any other online commitments you already have.

We will evaluate all the submitted articles – if your article is chosen to be published on the Paper Crafter’s Library blog, it will be published under your name with links to your website. We’ll also give your article a shout out on our Facebook Page and through Twitter. As we have a huge readership this will give you lots of traffic and exposure!

We are looking for 1-2 additional permanent Trends Reporters, each willing to write 2 trends articles a month.

Product Reviewer

What we are looking for: If you are a paper crafter, then you are always out there waiting for and purchasing the newest “toys”. We are looking for YOU! You don’t need to be on any design teams and you don’t need to create full samples, however pictures of you using the products would be wonderful. We’re looking for someone who loves working with a variety of different products from a variety of different manufacturers. You should be comfortable on the computer and on the internet – if you already spend time browsing the internet looking for all the new products, then this would be perfect for you! You should be comfortable with blogging – a familiarity with WordPress is helpful but not essential. Good English writing skills are a must as you will be creating your own content for the acticles you’ll be sharing with our readers.

What will a Product Reviewer do?
Write one article a month spotlighting a paper crafting non-consuable product. This would be something like a die cut machine, heat tool, etc….. Anything in the paper crafting industry. Each product review article should include a full review. This would include a brief description of the product, photos of that product, photos of projects from the internet created with the product, what it does, good points, bad points, what you like about it and any photos of you using the product (which would be an added bonus) or any project you may have created using it. It does not have to include a video but if you have one that would be great. CLICK HERE to see a sample article.

How to apply:
Research and create a product review article focusing on ONE product in the paper craftring industry. It can be a product you are very familiar with already. The article should be as outlined above in the description. Send your article to customerservice@papercrafterslibrary.comas an attachment to an email (please do not embed the article or photos in the email itself). You can send your attachment as an Word document or as a pdf. In the email please include your full name, email address, phone number, location, links to your blog and other online platforms. Please also let us know any other online commitments you already have.

We are looking for 1-2 product reviewers willing to write an article each month. Paper Crafter’s Library is growing in many new and amazing ways! We would love to take you along for the ride!

Graphic 45 Spotlight With Designer Sharon Ngoo

Graphic 45 is an award-winning scrapbook and paper crafting company— owned and operated by a mother and her two daughters.

Diane Schultz (pictured center)—Designer and CEO (aka mother)

Aimee Filimoehala (pictured left) —Director of Operations

Charee Filimoehala (pictured right)—Director of Customer Service and Design Team Coordinator

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Graphic 45 Designer Sharon Ngoo

Our next Graphic 45 Guest Designer for this month is Sharon Ngoo who is part of the 2012 Graphic 45 Design Team. We are very excited to share her project with you. It’s a great holiday gift idea.

You can see Sharon’s fabulous project below, but first, here is a little more about Sharon:

Hi! I’m Sharon from Singapore – where the weather (and the scrappers) are always warm and sunny! 🙂

I am blessed to be able to design and teach crafting for a living at PaperMarket, our local scrapbooking store, and even more blessed to have a loving hubby and 2 sweet kids who don’t mind the messes I make at home!

I am honoured to be part of the awesome Graphic45 design team this year and to be given the chance to meet and share with so many wonderful crafters all around the world!

Place in Time Christmas Coupon Box

Here’s a fun little gift to make for Christmas (or even any other time of year). Its a little coupon box filled with coupons for ‘favours’ and treats that the recipient can redeem!

Inside, you can put coupons like this:

that can be redeemed for goodies!

Ok, ok, its kind of a ‘cheapo’ gift (haha) – but hey, something from the heart right? haha.

I have also included a tutorial in case you’d like to make one too!

Merry Christmas!!!

We hope you have enjoyed this fun creation from Sharon. I would also like to extend a warm thank you to Sharon for sharing her exciting holiday gift idea with us! Please take a minute to stop by Sharon’s Blog and of course the Graphic 45 blog to check out all their amazing creations!

Trendy Tuesday – Clear Cardstock

Trendy Tuesday – Clear Cardstock
by Katherine Elliot

Looking for a clear alternative to your usual cardstock projects? Clear cardstock, also called window sheets, or acetate is a unique canvas for a special card. The clear sheets also have many uses in 3D projects. Special ink, such as Staz-On, must be used to stamp directly on the clear plastic surface, but whether you stamp on it directly or simply decorate it with paper and embellishments, it is guaranteed to impress.

Hello card by Lynn Mercurio, image source Stamperosity

Embellish the outside of a clear card and adhere a solid piece of cardstock to the inside to give yourself a place to add a sentiment or greeting. The adorned card below is just waiting for the perfect words to be inscribed inside…

Transparent card, card design and image source by Elizabeta Kushner

In the Fly Away With Me card below, Liz Munoz cut a balloon shape that is displayed decorated on the outside & plain on the inside of the card. The same shape in solid white on the interior of the card doesn”t reveal the sentiment when the card is closed. What a clever card for this wonderful floating balloon!

Fly Away With Me card by Liz Munoz, image source Creative Time For Me

The interior of your clear card could also be stamped decoratively, or reveal patterned paper on the inside adding some additional style to the project.

Happy Birthday Tag - Close Up

Krafty Birthday tag with acetate front by Pamela, image source Miao – a design blog

EVERYTHING ELEANOR WINDOW SHEET CARD

Everything Eleanor card by Linda Gutierrez, image source Stamping Year Round

Clear sheets and acetate are also fun to use in 3D projects. Handmade boxes and packaging using window sheets look so professional, you may have to convince someone you made it yourself! Looking for more clear box ideas and instructions? Make your own plastic boxes to gift a set of cards to a friend. Instruction found here at e-how.

Transparent box by Laurie Clout, image source On the Bright Side

Acetate box by Tania Willis, image source Splitcoast Stampers.

I found the cube shaped window box below in Andrea”s archives from her Sunny Stampin” blog. I love this box, so even if it may be an older example, it”s still a classic and is a wonderful example of using the clear material to create perfect windows on a cardstock box.

Cube shaped window sheet box by Andrea Walford, image source Sunny Stampin”

Thinking of windows using this medium, a window does not have to just be on a box. Window cards are also very popular this time of year. Any shape can create a window and all you have to do is adhere a clear sheet behind the empty space for easy, yet impressive results!

Pumpkin Carving 049

Free standing window card by Patsy Waggoner, instructions & image source Pat – Stamps to Die For

Clear cardstock can be found at several on-line retailers, like Inky Antics, Heartfelt Creations, and Papertrey Ink. Stampin” Up also sells acetate sheets they aptly call, Window Sheets. A similar product is called Thermo Acetate, as the sheets are called from Stampendous, or you can use clear transparency film available from office supply stores, or go green and simply recycle some clear plastic packaging.

Stampendous acetate, image source Hallmarkscrapbook.com

3M PP2200 Plain Paper Copier Transparency Film

3M transparency film, image source Amazon.com

Note, transparency film sheets are often sold in large quantities, not entirely a bad idea if you have some crafty friends to share them with…

A layered window makes a beautiful statement. Floating butterflies and the interior sentiment revealed through the window on the card below by Susan Lankford looks extra special. Find more ideas and information for Window Sheets from Stampin” Up by clicking on this link.

Window card by Susan Lankford, image source Stamp and Scrap with Susan

Check out these other beautiful examples of floating shapes on window cards…

Floating image window card by Nichole Heady, image source Capture the Moment

Thank You card by Lainey, image source Made at Home

Of course sometimes a window can just be a window! The card below is a favorite of mine. It looks so inviting. Can”t you imagine being transported into the lovely make believe home revealed behind the window when you open this card?

Winter Window card by Ann image source Splitcoast Stampers

And last, but not least, clear sheets are perfect for creating a shaker card. Not familiar with shaker cards? Essentially it is a technique that allows you to place glitter, sand, or other materials behind a layer of acetate popped up & secured on all sides with some dimensional tape. The dimensional window secures the contents and allows the material to float around on top of the image you have encased in the window when shaken. A fun technique for the young and old!

Shaker card by Sherrie Siemens, image source Sherrie-CardCreme

Don”t forget to check out your recycle bin for some clean, flat clear packaging to give this technique a try if you”re not ready to commit to buying a stack of clear window sheets just yet. Have fun trying some clear sheet projects! Happy crafting, everyone.