Crate Paper

Sketch Challenge Winner--August Edition

As promised, I'm back on Monday morning to announce the RANDOMLY selected winner of the sketch challenge. We got 32 versions of the sketch this month, with a few of you even doing two different interpretations! I was highly impressed at the creativity and use of Crate Paper products. Thank you to all who played this month, it was a treat to read your stories all last week. I think what I was most impressed with was the comments that this sketch got you using up hoarded Crate Paper and scrapping stories that were important to you, but you hadn't had the right impetus to get them on paper. That's what scrapping is all about to me, getting the stories told and using your pretty papers! Unfortunately, there's only one prize pack per challenge, so I let www.random.org do the dirty work for me. As I got your layouts in my inbox, they were assigned a number and #21, Lisa Watson is the winner of this month's challenge, according to the random number generator.

Congratulations to Lisa Watson! You'll need to email your contact information, stating that you are the winner of the Sketch Challenge--August Edition to [email protected], as well as which collection you would like to have delivered to your house. You get to choose! 

Here's Lisa's version of the sketch, I love how she used the little elements in place of the boxes of the sketch, it's very fun and playful. And aren't the little aliens on the title a fun touch?

I thought I'd share a few other layouts that caught my eye this month, there were some amazing layouts, I love all the different takes on the same sketch!

From Lexi Bridges:

and Susan Stringfellow:

Jing-Jing Nickel:

Tanis Giesbrecht:

and Bethany Crowell:

Thank you so much to everyone who played along with me this month. I hope to see many of the same names in my email inbox next month. Mark your calenders for the 17th of September when we have a whole new sketch for you do turn into your own! 

An Altered Composition Book Video :: Lucy Edson

Hey you guys, it's Lucy Edson here! I wanted to make my daughter a special notebook that she could paste papers on or write down things from school, so I altered a composition book using the School Spirit line to fit the theme. I've made a video tutorial showing you the step-by-step process. You can see how easy it is to make your own, for you and your kids!

 

 

Here are a few photos of the completed project to show you some of the details.

Thanks and I hope you enjoy!

Scraps Redefined + Layout :: Mou Saha

Hi There, my Crate Paper friends, Mou Saha here with today's tutorial.

I know that you are big fans of Crate Paper just like me and probably save even the teeny tiny scraps of Crate's patterned papers..I do, 'cause I don't have the heart to toss them! I even keep the border strips with Crate's name on it..you know, the strips that you trim off to make your paper a perfect 12 x 12..but, what do you do with the pile of small scraps?

Let me share with you, one simply that I created mainly out of table scraps of my favorite collection: Restoration.

I enjoy creating simple clean designs. Yet, I love the layered look which I try to create in a subtle way. This layout is no exception. Because there is little to explain in terms of technique, let me just walk you through my steps.

 

Project Supplies:

• Cardstock (Recollections)
• Patterned Papers & Chipboard Accents (Restoration Collection)
• Jewelry Tag Punch (Stampin' Up!)
• Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Pen
• Adhesive

 

I made this flower by layering the red floral button chipboard onto the pink doily chipboard, with a little circle cut from the Refinish paper that I fringed with scissors and curled with my fingers, in between.

 

To me, the story behind a layout is very important, so journaling makes a vital part of my layout. I used the jewelry tags (it's actually a cute little punch from Stampin' Up!) to record place and date the picture was taken. I used a fine tip black marker to journal above the photo. I added another jewelry tag at the bottom left corner of the photo to write the names.

 

I'm loving the layered chipboard accents from this collection and used the tiny photo corners to embellish the photo.

 

And, last but not the least, is the title. This time it was easy.

See what I mean? Well, here is my finished layout done mostly with table scraps. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and will look at your scraps a little differently from now on.

Happy rest of the Summer!

Three Collections Now Shipping!

Last week, we started shipping out boxes of all the latest Crate Paper products to our retailers!! It should be available for you to bring home any day now!! We can hardly wait for you guys to finally have a chance to play with the three new collections - Restoration, School Spirit & Snow Days. We thought we'd give you an added incentive to run out and be one of the first to own some of the new stuff - we're offering up a collection kit of your choice to the first person who sends us an image of their Crate Paper purchase (New Stuff Only!)...don't feel you have to include yourself in the image - Simply show us the goods and if your the first to share, we'll partner it with whatever collection your heart so desires. Send your image'(s) to [email protected]! We'll post our WINNER next week - oh, one last mention, make sure to also include the purchase location with your email. We'll list the store along with your name when we announce the winner! Time to get shopping!!

We're posting a few projects from our CP Girls today - alongside their monthly tutorials, they're also submitting inspiring creations from time to time. Here's a beautiful sampling of some of them so far...

 

An old vintage embroidery pattern meets Restoration in this stunning layout from Lucy Edson. Isn't quite something? The detailing is exquisite.

 

Our lace doilies have been hand trimmed from their paper and acquainted with some of their matching counterparts on Jen Chesnick's layout. Simple and subtle perfectly describes this "Beauty" layout.

 

We love this layout from Michelle Lanning - a full review of her daughter's first year in Kindergarten and what makes this extra special is that she hid her journaling behind a folder flap that's been decorated with a small sampling of our School Spirit Chipboard accents. Very clever Michelle! Note the sticker tabs to make the folder look more realistic too!

Ok, you have a week to send us your image! Again, we'll post the winner late next week! Good Luck Shopping and don't forget your camera!

A School Year Mini Album :: Rhonda Palazzari

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying the last days of Summer. It sounds crazy, but I'm already thinking of the end of the 2010-2011 school year. You see my daughter, Lexi, is entering her last year of High School. I know how quickly this year will go by and all too soon we will be hosting a graduation party. I have tons of layouts that will go into an album, but I wanted to do something special with all of her school pictures. In this tutorial, I will show you a mini album perfect for not only for those wallet school pictures, but that will also hold some school memorabilia. 

Project Supplies:

• Mini Album
• School Spirit Pattern Papers
• School Spirit Chipboard
• 6" x 9" Manilla Envelopes

 

I had this cute little mini album from Maya Road with some really adorable Kraft envelopes. However, there were only four of the envelopes. There wasn't enough for what I wanted to do. So, what's to be done? Nothing says you have to use the pages that come in a mini. I took out those kraft envelopes and set them aside for later. I knew I wanted envelopes though to hold report cards.

 

 

I had some 6" x 9" envelopes that I decided to trim down and reuse. The album could hold 5" x 5" pages. I trimmed down the envelope to 5" x 5.5". I scored and folded up the end and glued it down. 

 

 

Trim the envelope flap so when you punch holes down the side, you can open and close the flap without it getting stuck in the binder rings. Stitch both sides of the envelope to give them an added touch. You could also hand stitch the sides with a blanket stitch or just adhere them together. 

 

 

Optional - Paint the envelopes a new color (your choice!). I used an antique white. I created thirteen envelopes - one for each grade including Kindergarten. 

 

 

I kept the pages similar because I wanted an easy album to create. By keeping the papers the same size and adding in the same accents, I could easily assemble the pages. I trimmed a variety of School Spirit pattern papers to 4.75" x 4.75". I then trimmed multiple report cards from the Grade Card pattern paper. 

 

 

Adhere a 4.75" x 4.75" pattern paper onto the center of the envelope. Add a Grade Card to the left side of the page. 
 

 

 

Take the original envelope page and use it as a guide for creating holes into the new envelopes. 

 

 

 

Now add pages to your mini!! 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing how to change a mini to fit your needs. I urge you to start your own school mini album for your child before their last year of high school as I'm searching for all our school year pictures, plus the report cards!
 

 

The Sketch Challenge-- August Edition

Hello! Emily Pitts here today with a brand new-never before seen- exclusive to Crate Paper-sketch for you. I'll be popping in the third Friday of every month as the Official Crate Paper Sketch Contributor.

I'll post a sketch for you to interpret as you like. I'll also post some examples from the design team and myself to help get you started. You have ONE week to work on your project, scan/take a photo, and send your entry to [email protected]. 

We'd love to see how you creatively use Crate Paper products, all entries should use at least 50% of our products. It doesn't have to be the newest release, it has to be at least half Crate Paper.

All entries must be received by the next Friday night 11:59 P.M. MST. I'll pick one winner and make an announcement the next Monday. For this month's challenge, that makes the deadline Friday, August 27th. Winner will be announced on Monday, the 30th.

In the future, we'll be adding the sketches, designer layouts, and the winning entries to a gallery so you can access them whenever you need a creative boost. Be on the lookout for that.

So you've got the who, what, where, why, and when of this challenge, what else do you need to know? What will you win? Winners will get to choose the collection kit of their choice!

Here's the sketch for you, a bunch of blocks, in a bit of a skeewampus design. You can use lots of photos or focus on a single large image. This sketch works great turned any which way, it's very flexible. There's not a suggested place for your title and journaling, you can put them anywhere you want!

This is my interpretation. I turned the sketch 90º counter clockwise and rotated one of my blocks to make it fit the title better. I used the Pink Plum collection, but add some SEI, Studio Calico and Jenni Bowlin. Doesn't the Pink Plum go well with the butterfly? I love that about Crate, it stands well on its own, but it's also very easy to mix with other manufacturers.

Larissa stuck pretty much to the original, adding her title over the blocks. Her measurements coming from the top right support her theme so well. She used the School Spirit collection for her sketch interpretation, and I love how she rolled up the measuring tape beneath her photo, such a clever touch.

So there you have a couple of different versions, I am anxious to start seeing your versions fill up my inbox this next week!

Table Tray Redone :: Jaime Warren

I have never felt as though I had what it took to create the amazing altered projects I have seen so often online. I wanted to, but lacked the confidence. Let's face it, there are some amazingly talented folks out there who can make something out of nothing! However, I have had this amazing little glass photo tray sitting, untouched, in my office since Christmas. Oh yes, I said Christmas! LoL! I loved it, but I wanted to do something unique with it, I just wasn't sure what exactly. After seeing so many lovely trays and photo cubes online, I decided, heck, why not alter it?!

This is what I started out with - this beautiful glass top serving tray. It has serveral openings for photos of different sizes:

 

The first step is simple - remove the advertising paper from the inside to use as a template. Now, here is a secret about me. I hate a ruler. I don't know what it is, but I suck at measurements. So, what I typically do is, well, wing it. (The poor ladies at my first ever class were 100% certain I had lost my marbles when I explained this!) For this project, I simply placed my pattern paper over the template photo and scored the size into the paper. Easy Peasy! Of course, if you are handy with a ruler, by all means, use that instead! I'll try not to hold it against you!

 

The next step was to continue this process until all of the photo template spots were filled. I used the amazing Restoration Paper Collection for this project. I honestly can't get enough of it - it's just that gorgeous! Before attaching, I distressed all side of the paper, just to give it some more texture. 

 

Now for the fun part - adding some dimension using the Restoration chipboard pieces. I couldn't go all out with adding lots of dimension with pop dots simply before the glass prevented it.

When I sit down to create, I wing it. Just like with measuring! I often don't have a set plan per say - I just go with the flow and what happens, happens. There was no rhyme or reason as to where I put each individual piece, so, play and have fun!

 

After I had all papers, photos and chipboard pieces attached, I slid the paper back in and put the backing back on. And viola! A rather simple, but unique glass serving tray! Now, I have no plans to serve drinks or little snacks on this bad boy, oh no! This is going to be a nice little display that will be put out of reach of curious little hands.

 

 

So, while this might not be a jaw dropping altered piece that I wish I had the talent for, I'm proud of it all the same. It was a lot of fun to step out of my box and create something different. I hope that you have enjoyed your time here with me at the Crate blog! Have a blessed day friends!

 

School Note Envelope with Garland Banner

Hi Everyone! Amy Heller here with a fun little project especially for all you out there with little ones about to go back to school. I have created a note holder to send with my daughter on the days I want to send her a special note. So when she sees her dolled up envelope in her backpack, she'll know Mom has sent her a little note of love that day.

I'm sure you have seen that banners are all the rage right now. You can find them in all forms - from stamps and stickers to hand-cut ones that are adhered to the card or layout. Usually they are in the shape of triangles. I don't know about you, but I have had the hardest time finding a triangle punch. So, I have decided to create my own little banner using Crate Paper's fantastic new line, School Spirit with some fun school inspired shapes and I'm going to show you how I made it. Let's get started!

 

 

Crate Paper Supplies for the Banner:
School Spirit :: Grade Card 12" x 12" piece of paper

Additional Crate Supplies for the Envelope:
School Spirit :: Borders, Brads, Chipboard & Phrases

Other Supplies:
Punches :: Martha Stewart Owl Punch, Apple Punch, EK Success 1" Square Punch
Shears, Trimmer, Sewing Machine & Thread

Additional Supplies for the Envelope:
Maya Road Kraft Envelope

 

 

First, trim out a variety of the grade cards from the Crate Paper sheet. I chose this particular sheet (Grade Card) because it has a variety of solids on a single sheet of paper with minimal pattern. This makes the punches' shapes easier to see against my card. It was also perfect because I would only be cutting into one sheet of paper to get the variety I wanted. In addition, when I'm done cutting, I may have more grade cards than I need for my project so, I'm able to set those aside as journaling tags for another project. 

 

 

 

Next, we're going to randomly choose colors to punch from each of our shaped punches. I find that punching upside down is the best way to punch. 

 

 

 

Next up, I chose to take my squares and cut them in half giving them a triangular look to incorporate in our banner. 

 

 

Once you've completed your piles of punches, thread your sewing machine with a coordinating color thread. Make sure that your bobbin thread and top stitch are the same color, just in case you decide to use the reverse of one of your shapes once you are finished. 

If you have the ability, set your sewing machine on the slowest speed so you can keep up with the stitches, especially at first. Keep your pile of shapes right on your machine for easy and quick grabbing.

 

 

Simply start feeding your shapes through your machine while it stitches. The process goes pretty quickly when you start going. I tried to keep my punched papers as close together as possible, so as soon as you know the shape before has cleared the last stitch, gently slide the next through. 

 

 

In the end, you will have a very cute, random and malleable banner. When it was complete, I thought this would also make an adorable necklace for the little ones. Or, wouldn't it be fun to drape your child's teacher's door in a garland like this? I bet they'd love it!

Now that your garland is complete, all you need to do is decide which portion you want to use and trim and adhere it to your project. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took the thread ends that I trimmed and adhered them to the back of my patterned paper and then adhered that to my envelope base with single sided scrapbooking tape. This way, there's no need to tie knots or anything and you don't see the ends.

So, what do you think? Pretty simple Right!? Well, I had fun with it and I hope you did to! I'm looking forward to sharing again with you next month! Thanks so much for stopping by Crate Paper today! I hope you have a Super Day!

 

Tuesday Feature :: From Our Readers

Behind the scenes, we receive numerous projects from our blog readers and fans and thankfully so, because we love to showcase them here from time to time. Today happens to be the perfect opportunity for turning back the clock and reviewing projects created from our Winter 2010 releases..we've not forgotten about them and we hope you haven't either. The first item on our "must share" list was sent to us from Mara May, a longtime scrapbook designer from California known for her bright, bold style and fabulous photography. She forwarded the cutest birthday hat that we've ever seen here at Crate Paper - it fashions our Pink Plum collection amongst feathers, paper lace doilies and an assortment of ribbons. We've never seen the collection done up this way before...we're so in love!

 

   

 

 

  

 

The second item takes us back to the Season collection, which remains one of our faves here at the office. It's a gorgeously embellished frame courtesy of Samantha Taylor, a recent participant in our Designer Swatch Challenge! 

 

 

 

 

The final item of the day is of an adorable little girl mini book that we've been meaning to share with you for quite some time. It's talented artist is Jennie Yeo - we ran into Jennie's album a few months ago while blog hopping..yes, we blog hop here, so if you've posted a CP creation you think we should see, email us ([email protected]) or send us a photo of your CP project..it might find it's way to the Crate Paper blog!

 

 

 

Well, that about does it for today you guys! We hope you'll continue to join us as we have a whole bunch of new tutorials coming your way, including tomorrow's which has been designed exclusively for all you card makers out there! Amy Heller is the host and she'll be offering up one of her classic style cards that will sure to get you sewing..so don't forget your sewing machines! Happy Tuesday Crate Fans!

 

Snow Day Mega Bottle Cap Ornaments :: Jen Chesnick

Hi Everyone! Jen here with a fun project using Crate Papers Snow Day line. This idea came to me as soon as I saw this collection. These ornaments are quick and easy, versatile and just plain cute. So let's get started!

Supplies Needed:

• Maya Road Mega Bottle Caps
• Pattern Paper, Chipboard, Stickers, Etc.
• Eyelets
• Ribbon
• Glimmer Mist
• Jump Rings or Ornament Hooks
• Metal Glue
• Crop-a-Dile

 

First you are going to want to punch a hole in the lip of the bottle cap and insert and set your eyelet. 

Next, cut or punch 3" circles of pattern paper to line the inside of the bottle caps. Use a metal glue for adhering your paper inside the caps to be safe. I used Beacon 3 in 1 adhesive. While not a metal glue, this stuff just plain sticks to anything.  

 

 

Next, embellish. Really that easy? YES! I started by layering my pattern paper with chipboard pieces and stickers. I then added a ton of pop up dots behind my snowman and glued him to the rim of the bottle cap as well. 

 

 

 

Once you have decorated your bottle caps, add a jump ring to hang, a dash of ribbon and some glimmer mist. Winter projects are always better with glimmer mist!

 

 

 

These can easily be a fun project with your kiddos. They could also be made into garland or a swag, gift topper, card or maybe a cupcake topper. The ideas are really endless. I'd love to hear and see your ideas! I love Winter projects, so share your Snow Day goodies with us!