Mother's day gifts

One holiday finishes, and preparations begin for another!  This week, the Scrapware team brings you ideas for Mother's Day gifts (look away Mum!).  They say that 90% of a present is its packaging, so why not create a one of a kind gift box for that special mum in your life.  For this project, I have used Scrapware's 4x4" box kit...the perfect size for containing some jewellery, chocolates or a gift card from your mum's favourite store.

To start,  I covered the outside edges of the box with a striped patterned paper. Covering each side individually will help you later when it comes time to assembling the box. If you cover it as a whole sheet, it will be difficult to bend together.  Using a stripe can be tricky...make sure all your stripes are facing the same way once folded.  The top of the box was covered the same way.  To fix the sides together, I cut a strip the same width as the sides and stuck it around the inside edge, bring the sides together. I then inked the edges to add more definition and interest.

Rosette ribbon was adhered around the outside edge of the lid to add a little softness.  Next up, the butterfly. The butterfly was coloured in marker, then finished with glitter glue.  Once dry, the wings were attached to the butterfly and bent upwards.  The lettering was coloured in marker as well, then glazed.

A big organza bow was tied around the base to soften up the edge. Using organza allows the patterned paper underneath to shine through.

Scrapware products used:
KT63 4x4" Box Kit
CH422 3D Butterfly flourish small
AZ10 Mini Antique lowercase

Scrapware has a range of gift boxes and bags available for you to create your own gorgeous packaging.  Ask your lss or online store to order one in for you today! Stay tuned for more gorgeous projects from the Scrapware team.

Cheers, Lis.

Little things | birthday cards

This month sees the release of Scrapware's new card sheet collection!  Beautiful chipboard designs for boys, girls and babies.  The following three cards were created using the one chipboard sheet and there is still shapes leftover to create another card! Talk about great value.  This would make a really economical project for a kids class (or adult...teehee).

To create these cards, you only need one sheet of cardstock and one sheet of patterned paper.  First, trim a 12"x4" strip from your cardstock and fold in half. Then trim the remainder so that you have two 6"x8" pieces. Fold these in half too. Each card front will measure 6"x4"...perfect for a standard sized envelope.  The patterned paper on the front of each card measure 5.5"x3.5".

I have coated the chipboard in texta, then dimensional magic or glitter glue (Martha Stewart).  Isn't that robot just adorable!  I bent his claws so that he'd hold the chipboard words.

Love this super cute rocket!  I defined the areas first with a craft knife and then filled with colour.  Brads fill the holes perfectly and add a little more dimension.

Just because a piece of chipboard is flat, doesn't mean you can't add definition. I have used four different colours on the planet to define the curve of the planet.

Product used: Scrapware's Boy Card Kit CH471

Contact your local lss or online store today to order in Scrapware's new card sheets.

Cheers, Lisa.

Recipe mini album

Have you got a big project? Why not go mini?  I don't often create mini albums, but when I have a subject that calls for more than a double page layout, a mini album is the perfect answer. I have used Scrapware's NEW! Bracket mini album to document a well treasured family recipe.

The bracket on the front cover has been covered in a grid patterned paper, then rubons have been added around the frame.  All of the edges have been inked in Umber.  For the inner pages I have stuck to the formula of photo,  patterned paper and embellishments on the left facing page, and recipe on the right.   I love the size of this album. At just a fraction smaller than 6"x6", it holds a standard sized photo perfectly with room left for embellishment!

The back cover has been covered in patterned paper and a diecut shape. A Scrapware flourish sweeps across the back cover, extending out from under a chip flower. The flourish has been been coated in glaze only so that the other colours pop.

Scrapware products used:
ALB22 Bracket album
CH428 Alyssa flourish (large)
AZ01 Teen lowercase alphas
Chip flower (front cover)

Why not consider creating a mini album for your next project? This project was completed in only a couple of hours, so would be perfect to take along to your next crop night!

Cheers, Lis.

NEW | Card Keepers

Do you keep cards from special occasions because you can't bear to throw them away?

Do you store your cards in drawers and shoe boxes because you don't know what to do with them?

If you answered yes to the above, I have the answer for you. Scrapware's Card Keepers are exactly what you need!  Card Keepers measure 6"x8", so are big enough to hold most cards. They consist of a front and back piece in chipboard.  The cards are held in place using a ring or ribbon, or whatever you choose. The bigger the fastener, the more cards your Card Keeper will hold.

I have used Scrapware's new Arch Window card keeper to house all of my wedding cards (that have been sitting in a shoe box for nearly 10 years!). I now feel they've been given the respect they deserve.  I have covered the front in Pink Paislee patterned paper, then cut through the arch. You could leave the windows open to view the cards underneath, however I chose to stick a Basic Grey doily underneath. I then added some more Scrapware chipboard to the front to finish off.

The back of the card keeper has been covered in Scribble Scrabble patterned paper, and a little more of the Basic Grey doily.  A cream ribbon has been threaded through a ribbon slide and adhered to the back.  One of Scrapware's new Doily Frames has been added to finish.

Scrapware's new Doily Frames come in two pieces...the frame, and a chipboard circle inner.  I detached the frame, coloured it with markers and added a little glaze.

I then created a spiral rose using the inner circle, so there was no waste!  Scrapware's chipboard can easily be cut with scissors and rolled. The end result is a lot sturdier, which is great when using it for an off the page project. I then adhered the spiral rose to the centre of one of Scrapware's Marilyn Blooms. The petals of the flower have been turned up to give even more dimension. Also featured on the front of the Card Keeper is Scrapware's new Foliage shapes (there are four to a sheet!).

At the bottom of the Card Keeper, I have used Scrapware's new Iron Gates. They are super cute and intricate, and they fit perfectly across each of the windows on the front.

Products used:
CK03 Card Keeper - Arch Window
CH450 Iron Gate No. 1 (small)
CH464 Foliage (large)
CH463 Doily Frame No. 3 (small)
LB27 Marilyn Blooms
CH82 Keys

Also available in Scrapware's Card Keeper collection are one window (CK01) and three window (CK02) card keepers.

Now, I know what to do with all of my cards...time to tackle Christmas, birthdays, Mother's Days...the list is endless!

These new products and much much more, will be available on the Scrapware website soon!

Cheers, Lis.

Can you feel the love?

Did you know that the traditions of St. Valentine’s Day are centuries old? In the Middle Ages the tradition of choosing a romantic partner on that particular saint's day began because it was believed that birds began mating on that day.  Seems quite fitting then that I would select one of Scrapware's Ollie Owls to grace the front of a Valentines card for my hubby. lol. Handmade cards are so simple to make, and express perfectly what you want to say. You don't need Hallmark to do the job for you.

To create a card that fits in a standard sized envelope, you will need a piece of cardstock measuring 6x8", folded in half. For this project, I have recycled a sheet of cardboard packaging for the base. Onto the fun stuff...I have coloured the chipboard owl with markers and added extra detail to the wings using a fine tip pen. Ollie's heart body has been raised up on foam tape to add a little dimension.  The clouds were also coloured in marker, then spritzed lightly with white mist. I placed the small cloud over the top of the larger one to mask off an area, and create another cloud. A little pen work adds more definition.

Scrapware products used:
CH375 Ollie Owl
KD02 KDD - Clouds
AZ10 Mini Antique lowercase alphas

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Since this week is all about love on the Scrapware blog, I wanted to create a layout about my little girl and those big blue eyes she has! I absolutely love Scrapware's Natalie frame, and it fits around my 6x4 photo perfectly. The frame has been coloured in two complementary colours and definition has been added with some freehand doodling.  The lettering and love heart have been given the same treatment.

Scrapware products used:

CH383 Natalie Frame medium

AZ08 Antique Lowercase alphas

CH202 I {heart} you shapesheet (heart only)

Enjoy creating those Valentines and love inspired projects!

Cheers, Lis.

Welcome to 2011!!

With the coming of a new year, we all usually look to make changes in our lives and to make resolutions. I have known for a long time that resolutions don't really work for me. I need something more to strive for and that's why this year, I have decided to choose one little word to describe how I want my 2011 to pan out.  For me, its "discover".  Discover can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, and I have chosen to define it more as a feeling and of a way of living my life. You can read more about it on my blog here.

I also wanted to create a visual reminder for myself, and Scrapware's mini ATC tray was perfect for it.

Scrapware products used:
Mini ATC tray
CH393 Hat Stand
CH82 Keys
AZ02 Steelfish lowercase

Each box has been filed with a 3.5x2.5" pieces of patterned paper. I have used papers that remind me of wallpaper and all things homely.  Each piece has been inked in pinecone around the edge and a doodled border added for a little more definition.

The chipboard keys have been spritzed in a few different colours of mist to give them an aged and antiqued look.  I have dabbed the wet mist with paper towel to blend them together.  The hat stand has been spritzed in glimmermist and coated in paper tole glaze.  The lettering has been inked with pinecone, then coated in paper tole glaze as well.

Loads of buttons, twine, flowers, quotes and journaling spots finish off my tray.  I love the end result and plan on having this sit on my desk for the rest of the year to remind myself that I can discover whatever it is my heart desires this year.

Have you set yourself any resolutions or chosen one little word for this year?

Cheers, Lisa.

Home decor...made simple

Whenever it comes to off the page, its simple all the way for me. I just don't seem to have the shabby chic gene in me like some of the Scrapware girls here. lol. I like art pieces with a graphic nature, and thought I might create something for my new nephew. I wanted to create a piece that my sister would be happy to hang in his room for many many years.  I love the look of this piece, but thought it needed dimension. That's where Scrapware's new large Impact lettering came in!

To start, I purchased a flat white canvas board measuring 11"x14".  I then went through and cut out the letters I needed for his name, Cameron.

For each row, I popped out the letters either side of the letters spelling his name. I moved them around until I was happy with the format and to be sure each row started and ended with a different letter. All up, I have used two sheets of lettering.  I have used a mix of chipboard and correboard letters to mix it up a bit.

Then, row by row, I removed the letters and spritzed them with Studio Calico's new Mister Huey's colour mists. The coverage they give is unbelievable!  The black letters were coated in Warm Calico, and the green letters were sprayed in Calico White, then Applejack. I love the matt finish of the sprays...very masculine.

Once dry, I glued them back in place.  I removed the glass from an 11"x14" white frame and inserted the canvas.  Voila! One easy, yet effective art piece.  Now that I've made one for Cameron, I think I'll make one for each of my own children!

Scrapware products used:

AZ12 - Impact Large LC (chipboard)

AZ14 - Impact Large CB Craft (correboard)

Stay tuned tomorrow for another home decor post.

Cheers, Lisa

You can't use flowers on a boy layout!!

Ummm...yes you can!  Flowers are no longer the domain of just girls!  For this project I have used the soft, muted colours of MME's Portobello Road collection and teamed it with pearls, glitter and flowers to create a layout that still suits a little boy!

Scrapware's 12" circle overlay is the perfect base for this project. I have left the overlay raw, and added 1.75" circles of coordinating patterned paper underneath some of the circles to allow the base patterned paper to shine through.

I have coloured the little boy chipboard pieces from the "His and Hers" chip sheet with metallic cream chalks. I even gave him red hair, just like my son (lol). I then drew a cheeky look on his face and coated the shape with glaze.  To finish off, I have added a twine "belt".  To ensure that the different colours don't blend into each other, I have scored a line to separate each area...giving the shape further definintion.

I have also added a few of the Multi Media circles to my project. They fit perfectly within the overlay!  To colour the circles, I have separated the pieces and coated them with metallic cream chalks. I then glued them back together within the overlay. They have also been coated in glaze.

To finish the project, I have added a glittered banner title with twine, and dotted Prima pearls throughout the overlay. To create balance, I have used odd numbers (strange I know, but its a great design principle to remember).

Scrapware products used:

• KD 11 - KDD 12" Circles
• CH158 - His and Hers
• LW14 - Multi Media

If you think creating a layout for your boy is too difficult because there isn't enough boy stuff on the market, try dipping into your girlie stash! You will create a layout that you and your boy love.

Cheers, Lisa.

Simple vintage...

Hi All! Lisa here...hijacking Hetty's vintage week.  Vintage style layouts have always seemed a little daunting to me, so I took the approach of simple is best.  For my project, I have used:

• CH63 CH Fancy Brackets
• AZ07 Antique Uppercase

The brackets have been coloured with a dark grey marker, then glazed.  The "H" has been inked with umber ink and glazed.  The letter has been raised up on foam tape and placed over the top of the bracket to create a family crest.

This paper by Studio Calico had a very 1920's art deco feel to it...just perfect for the age of this photo of my ancestors. A little bit of decorate lace, cardstock and flowers complete the look.  Vintage style needn't be busy or complicated. Stick to your true style and you will create a layout you love.  There are plenty of vintage inspired pieces available from Scrapware here.

Cheers, Lis.

Flourishes!

Hi! Georgia here.  I love flourishes, so this week's product focus is right up my alley! There are so many though, the hardest part was choosing which one to work with. One of the things i love most about flourishes is that you can cut them down to suit your page. I needed something big and bold to match in with my paper and so I finally settled on using a part of the 12" vine CH269...

I have just simply painted it and let it spill over onto my kraft background to make it balance out my page.

Natalie has come up with his stunning page using CH131 shelley

Natalie has used glimmermist on the flourish and then continued this onto her background to come up with a gorgeously soft and romantic page.

Kim has used the new butterfly flourish LW15 on her beautiful page..

Kim has painted the butterflies with smooch inks, then twinkling h2os and then finished with rock candy distress stickles. The flourishes are painted with gold smooch ink and finished with gold glitter glue. Isn't the effect amazing?

Last but not least is this gorgeous page from Lisa..

Lisa has used the vine corner CH297 and flourish set 2 FS02 and coloured the chipboard with chalk.

Now I'm off to work on a couple of projects for Friday's blog post. It is going to be very difficult actually, I have the hugest pile of DELICIOUS new products which are being released at SIA next week that I'm not allowed to touch....

Have a good week!

DT reveal - Lisa Warren

This week, I've been playing with some of the new products released by Scrapware.  One of my new favourites are the vines...I love that there are four different ones in a packet that you could use individually or layer, like I've done on this layout.  I've also used a scallop circle frame to create an accent in the top right corner of my layout.  Scrapware chipboard looks fab paint or inked, but for this layout I felt that leaving the chipboard raw would compliment the patterned papers I chose (Crate Paper - Brook).

Products used:
CH298 Vine Branches 12"
CH295 Scalloped Circles Large

One of my other favourites to play with are Scrapware's journal bits.  The beauty of the arrow bits is that you can change the orientation of the lines, so that the arrow can point up, down, left or right...or any other direction!  I have coated the frame of the journal bit in black kindy glitz to match my lettering and left the journaling area raw.

Products used:
JB34 Arrow Journal Bits

tfl, Lis.

DT reveal - Word Trios

From this month, we're mixing things up here at Scrapware!  Every Monday, the Scrapware team will be showcasing different ways to use the same product.  Lots of techniques to share and loads of inspiration!! Enjoy!

This week we've been playing with Scrapware's Word Trios.   One of my favourites is this one!  Just perfect for a girlie layout...

I have used two of the words on this layout and combined them with alpha stickers for my title.  The words have been painted white, then sprayed with a red glimmermist.

Products used:

• WT27 Beautiful Perfect Princess
• CH193 Bird on a Branch MINI
•  CH295 Scalloped Circles Large

The chipboard bird has been coloured using Pebbles Inc metallic cream chalks...incredibly easy to apply and they colour the chipboard beautifully.

Both Lou and Ange have created layouts using this word trio.

Product: WT25 Believe Dream Laugh

Lou has inked the chipboard word with a chalk ink randomly around the top edge, then sprayed with gold glimmermist.  The end result gives the word an antiqued look that coordinates beautifully with her layout.

Ange created this effective background by placing a piece of mesh randomly and inking over the top.  The chipboard words have been painted in a coordinating colour to the patterned paper, and stamped stars.  Using the same colour in the words and star stamp adds further dimension to the layout.  Ange also used  the circle from CH39 Scalloped Circles circle to surround the no. "4".

Nat has used this word sheet that includes words and hearts.

 CH202 I {heart} you

Nat has embossed with Zing black glitter embossing powder! The gloss finish is a perfect compliment to this beautiful layout.

Last but not least...here's a little teaser from Gilly...can't wait to see the full project!

Scrapware's Word Trios are the perfect compliment to any project, either as your title, incorporated into your journaling or as a decorative accent.  Ask you lss or online store to order some in for you today.

Cheers, Lis.

Antique letters...

This month saw the release of Scrapware's Antique alphas in miniature! I just love this font and now they come in two different sizes!!  Here's a layout I created using both the upper and lowercase.

Scrapware products used:

• AZ10 Mini Antique Lowercase
• AZ09 Mini Antique Uppercase
• CH161 Ornate Frames Tiny
• CH171 Beach Grasses

I have glittered, embossed, inked, kindy glitzed, painted...you name it! lol.

Cheers, Lis.