Crate Paper

Children's Art Storage w/Anne Jo Alexander

 

Today I'll share with you how to create a book from scratch, using your cardstock (why not dive into your scraps? You don't have to stick to my measurements, just make your own book larger or smaller as you please :) ), patterned paper and some embellishments - plus a sewing machine :)

First, I'd like to share the story behind this book with you.

From the finished images you can see that there's drawings and stickers adhered to some of the inner pages already; my daughter kept taking drawings from her notebook and was repeatedly placing them on my desk because she wanted me to help her keep the pages gathered & together. I'll admit, they just kept cluttering my desk, so I told her I'd make her a book in which she could safe-keep them in. She happily agreed, having only one condition: it needed to have Hello, Kitty attached to it.

So, here's my book, I hope you like the idea :)

The Essentials: Portrait Patterned Papers, Paper Doll Stickers and Chipboard, Snow Days Brads, Tag from Elle's Studio, Large Corner Decor from Heidi Swapp, and Hello Kitty Chipboard.

Start with trimming sheets of cardstock or other scraps, measuring 6" x 9”.

 

Grab three sheets and fold them in half, using a bonefolder.

 

For my book, I used five such booklets, which means I trimmed 15 sheets at 6" x 9".

 

Using a piece of scrap cardstock (from the sheets you just trimmed – measuring 6”), start sewing along the first fold onto the scrap piece of paper.

 

Here is the first booklet sewn onto the scrap paper.

 

Try to place the next one as close to the first one as you can manage.

 

I’m not good at getting it as close as I want, mine gets skewed a bit, which ends up leaving room between the two booklets.

 

But that’s just fine, because the third one will be sewn in the middle.

 

There – all the booklets are sewn onto the scrap paper!

 

Now, tuck the loose threads on the book edge back, so that all the threads are gathered on the spine-side. Trim them short, but not too short. Feel free to trim away the scrap-excess as well.

 

Take the paper you want to use for the book-cover. Trim it slightly higher than your book-pages(mine’s 6.25x12”). To reinforce the cover I’m using three pieces of pink cardstock (cardstock gives me a soft cover, if you want a “hardcover”, try using chipboard/cardboard instead). The cover/backsheets are approx 6.25" x 4.6”, and the spine’s height is 6.25”. The width was trimmed by measuring the actual width of the book-spine.

 

Pre-fold the coverpaper accordingly (place the pink cardstock on the patterned paper, well spaced apart, crease w/your bonefolder). Do not adhere the pieces yet.

 

Start working on your front-cover. Feel free to use the sewing machine (we’ll cover the sewing-tracks with the pink cardstock when done).

 

I like to create clusters like this and then add them to my projects like this cover.

 

For extra dimension, feel free to place 3d foam dots behind the top of some of the “flaps” sticking out.

 

When done with the cover, adhere the pink cardstock to the back of it. NOTE: LEAVE some space between the three pieces so the book can be opened/closed nicely, I think the space should be like 0.2” or something like that – eyeball it.

 

For the spine: apply liquid glue to both the cover-spine and the booklet-spine (make sure to cover the threads w/it) and press together.

 

Make sure the spine really is well adhered because this kinda holds your book together.

 

Tah-dah – looks like we’re done!

 

Thanks for reading all the way through!  ~ Ania

 

Patterned Paper Yo-Yo's w/Lexi Bridges

Good morning Crate Paper fans! Lexi here today to share with you an easy little tutorial on making paper yo-yos. Of course this technique is wildly popular in the fabric arena,but I have found most things you can create with fabric you can do with paper too...and usually with some fun, surprising results!

 

To begin, cut a circle. You can see here that I used an old lid as my starting point. Acircle cutter would be great, but not entirely necessary as it does not have to be perfect.When choosing the diameter of your circle keep in mind that the finished yo-yo will behalf the size.

 

Using embroidery floss, stitch around your circle. Remember, the side you choose to start with will have the knot and will also be your ending place. Return the needle closely beside the location in which you began. This side will not be viewable...the yellow floral in this case will be "inside" the yo-yo and therefore, will not be seen.

 

Now the fun part, spray some water on your paper. Not a full soak, just a little spritz. It may seem odd, but the dampness will make your paper more pliable. Gently begin to pull the thread and gather your paper together.

 

This is what it will look like once it's finished. Tie off the thread and leave your pretty little paper yo-yo to dry.

 

Once dry you can embellish and use it in a variety of ways! Here I used a doily punch, Emma's Shoppe chipboard piece and ribbon with my yo-yo on top an easily doable tag! 

 

And here's a fun layout about my very two different boys!! 

A few punches and a button embellish the yo-yo in this particular area of my layout. I actually had this one all put together before realizing that I had punched the word “boy” from Toy Box's patterned paper--perfect!

It's always fun to create something different while adding interest to a project. I hope you'll try your hand at some paper yo-yos soon! Have a wonderful day and see you next month!

Announcing the March 2011 Sketch Challenge Winner

Thank you to each of the 49 (!) of you who took the time to play the sketch challenge this month. You never cease to amaze me with your creative interpretations and the beautiful stories you share through this hobby. I am so glad I get to a small part of your story telling, and isn't it wonderful that Crate has such fun products to get those stories told? It was delightful seeing how you chose and mixed products this month! And I have to admit, the things you guys came up with for the banner part of the sketch inspired me to try a few different ideas. Thanks for the push!

We've mixed things up a little bit with how the winner is selected, I send my 5 favorite projects to the head office and they choose the one winner. It takes the pressure off me :) So without further adieu, I give you the winner for this month: Susan Coish and her layout Happy Girl! I loved Susan's take on the banner, and how she worked the ribbon into the card. The faux stitching around the page is fun too, a soothing, yet whimsical layout! Well done! Susan, please send your contact information into the office by emailing info@cratepaper.com.

And here are a few of the other ones I just loved this month, starting off with Geralyn Sy's take. She took the sketch and turned it into a two pager, all about a family vacation. What a happy combination of Crate colors, don't you think?

Next is the fabulous winter inspired take by Jennifer Holowaty, I just love the clean lines and how she did her journaling, not on single strips, but a couple of lines to a strip.
 

Daphnie Teo's slightly grunged up look really works here, and how could I not love that heart and bling banner? So cute! 

Pam Brown's tight little design caught my eye too, I love how she shrunk everything down and the splatters of white along with the circle chip pieces create such a fun accent!

I also loved this design by Piradee Talvanna, more clean lines and lots of yummy white space!

We also had a some amazing card entries, love seeing the sketch miniaturized! Here's one fun example by Diana Waite:

I wish I could share the whole bunch with you, there were so many wonderful submissions this month. I think this may be my favorite group of projects to date. You truly outdid yourself this time. Thank you. And I'll see you in a few weeks, April 15th to be exact. Unless tax day preempts the sketch...:)

Weekend Designer Showcase + Spring Event!

Looks like quite a few of you found us yesterday for the guest presentation of Jing Jing Nickel's work - thank-you for expressing your excitement and admiration in our having had her as a guest designer this month! I'm sure she's stopped by to read your countless comments here already and is gratified by your sweet words - she's been a total gem to work with and we've enjoyed her projects and perky personality tremendously! Thank you again Jing Jing for delighting us with your talent!

 And now for another go at our Weekend Designer Showcase - it'll be the last of the month because we've a special event planned for you beginning Thursday! Crate Paper is a hosting a small celebration in honor of Spring's arrival - finally an opportunity to partake in the warmth of the sun while enjoying picturesque scenes of freshly blossomed tulips and growing green gardens..Winter has been far too long this year! As a part of the event, we'll be offering you multiple chances to win fun-filled prizes and an amazing assortment of handcrafted creations from our CP Girls! Add us to your calendar as we reign in the new season - it'll be "hopping" with excitement! 

Do enjoy the Weekend Designer Showcase..we'll see you Monday!! 

Ania Jo Lexander

 

Larissa Albernaz

 

Heidi Sonboul

 

Amy Heller

 

CP March Guest Designer :: Jing Jing Nickel

Because her amusing, reality-based scrapbook style is highly enjoyed by the scrapbook community at large, we thought it'd be fun to have Jing Jing join us this month as a guest designer! Most of you are probably well familiar with her work and know first hand that Jing Jing has a special knack for creating engaging titles and humorous journal entries and considering that Crate hasn't yet displayed it's "lighter" side, we nominated Jing Jing to bring it forth...and watch out, she's done just that + extras. 

Ten Random Facts About Me

1. My first collection from Crate Paper was Taylor.
2. My favorite museum is Musee Rodin in Paris.
3. I drink one pop/coke/soda a year.
4. My master degree thesis was Random Matrices and the Distributions of their Eigenvalues. (What on earth is an eigenvalue?! So random! lol)
5. I am a huge fan of NFL football and I bleed Purple (oh well).
6. My favorite vegetable is baby bok choy.
7. I house and feed my parents six months out of the year, in exchange, they drive me crazy. (Fine, they garden, cook and watch the kids a little bit, do you want them?)
8. I do not like chocolate, but I'm more than happy to eat chocolate cheesecake and chocolate ice cream.
9. I have never invented anything.
10. My favorite TV show right now is Fringe.

 

We just knew our polaroid frames would be a big hit amongst scrapbookers and Jing Jing reaffirms this for us with her "almost-wedding-day" layout. Backed with two separate patterned papers from the Portrait collection, they lend perfectly to the layout's overall scenery and Jing-Jing's "already wedded" photo. 

 

Our favorite of the bunch, "Proper Credit" is predictably "Jing-Jing" as she relates her daughter's "good looks" to "dad". Too sweet...and look what she's done with our doilies? The simple border along the left-hand side of the layout is cute beyond words!! She's also "recycled" our packaging! Look what's behind all that trim!! 

 

You might not of noticed, but our new alpha sets house a significant amount repeats, which means it's a lot easier for you to create the long titles seen here on Jing Jing's "Outside my Window, Inside my Fence" layout. They're also of a reasonable size, so they require very little space :) 

 

You're welcome Jing Jing!! And finally, a simple, carefully adorned card from our Emma's Shoppe - And we're loven' the antique stand too. 

 It's has been an immense amount of fun to have you with us Jing Jing! And we hope that you, our blog readers, have enjoyed her company..it's been an honor and a delight! We'll have two guest designers to present in April, so stay tuned!

 

Hello Everyone! Christine Middlecamp with you once again with another brand new feature to the Crate Paper blog this month that is ever-so-simply titled, Inspire then Crate. We've all been there, whether hiding behind a magazine or sitting afar from something intriguing - the new, the fresh, the must-try-today or tomorrow idea..yes, we love to be inspired. I don't know about you, but I'm addicted to the process of the search for the unknown. Within the unknown is a possible creative journey never before tried - total uniqueness. Creative types are driven by inspiration and the journey that follows, so we at Crate thought, "Why not bring it here?"  After all, it's probably one of the reasons you visit us..to be inspired.

Once a month, I'll present a fresh image/concept with a coinciding project from one of my internet sprees  - the purpose is to show you the kinds of things that we at Crate love and to start you on new creative journey - if it makes you happy, take it with you - it's yours to keep! Here's the first showing....

 

{credit: ScrapStudio}

I wish I could of located this image in a larger size, but it'll have to do for now...One of the things that I've learned about Crate Paper is that they LOVE color! They're also attuned to the popular vintage theme that so many of us are crazy for right now! So, when I ran into this beautifully created message board at Pinterest recently, I knew automatically it was going to be the "inspiration of choice" for today's post. Following it's discovery, this transpired...

What I'm loven' about the message board is it's use of dark space in conjunction with color. The dark space is playing the same sort of role as regular ol' white space, but it has a slightly more dramatic effect! The color seems to appear out of no where and almost glows against the dark background. It's also secluded to one spot..right now, I seem to be enjoying experimenting with dark backgrounds similar to this one. This would be my second layout in two weekends using dark woodgrain pattern paper next to bright, bold color! I really like to the two together (dark woodgrain preferable). 

 

Beyond the inspiration piece are the details and there are plenty to share with you today from the layout! That being said, I'm a combiner of sorts - I rarely work with just one collection. This particular layout houses nearly all four of Crate's latest collections - though it heavily weighs in on Neighborhood. Neighborhood's chipboard accents are some of my favorites, including this adorable four-panel window frame that so easily lends itself to housing itty-bitty embellishment collages. Actually, you can sit what ever you want behind the frame - mini collages is just one option! 

 

The frame itself sits up on pop dots - the best way to use pop dots in this kind of situation is to cut the housing that holds the dots - normally the housing is sticky as well! I cut strips from the housing and then applied them to the backside of the window. 

 

More chipboard on display - again pop dots, but with a simple, graph patterned "Emma's Shoppe" circle sticker and die-cut flower (the mini papers are most ideal for die-cutting because their pattern size is smaller and also, they easily fit inside the confines of a traditional die-cut machine like the Big Shot or Epic!)

 

Buzz buzz or umbrella's - which do you prefer? I've a liking for umbrella's, so when Lisa mentioned that Neighborhood was going to cater an umbrella, I was elated! Umbrella's aren't just for the rain either, they're great as accessories next to complimentary items like tiny, friendly bees. Don't you know that bees don't like water?!

 

Had any of you pinpointed the floral bunch above from the Neighborhood collection? It's hidden on one of the Accent Cards - possibly on the backside. Because I chose to make this single portion of the card the focal point, I framed it inside a transparency die-cut and then unleashed a bubbling row of 3/4" punched dots beneath it. The dots are punched from Emma's Shoppe "Inventory" patterned paper. They're layered with tiny matte turquoise sequins and red pearls. 

 

A couple last details - attaching a bunch of border strips to your layout like this one - stick with staples! It'll save on glue and only cost you two staples at most :) 

 

Lastly, because I wanted to maintain a similar style and design as the message board, I chose a transparent title that wouldn't get in the way with the dark background of the layout. The journaling conveniently hangs out below!

 

And there you have it! Our first "Inspire then Crate" post is complete - thank-you for tagging along! I'll return in a few short weeks with another "monthly intro" and the continuation of my "Crate's Card Menu" - it'll publish the week of April 4th! See you then!

 

Dress & Curio Shoppe Sign w/Tara Anderson

Hi everyone! It's Tara and today I'll be sharing a project fit for a princess! My daughter Alaina is quite the girly-girl that loves to play dress-up and with an endless supply (thanks to grandma) of pink tulle ballerina skirts, sequin masks, high heels and sparkly crowns, I thought it would be fun to create a dress-up sign for her room. I'll be using lots of Emma's Shoppe papers and Embellies, it's such a sweet collection for little girls! So let's get started!

The Essentials: A Chipboard Piece, Assorted Emma's Shoppe Papers, Paint & Paint Brush, Ribbon, Sewing Machine, Glue Dots, Page Distresser, Vintage Sewing Pattern Paper & Ledger Paper, Small Paper Flowers and Crop-a-Dile

I started the sign by painting the chipboard. I first went with a cream acrylic paint and then decided to give it a second coat of white. Be sure to give the paint extra time to dry before layering any paper!! (I found this out the hard way)

 

Cut a square shape from the sewing pattern paper. I added a Glue Dot to each corner of the paper and then centered it on top the chipboard base.

 

Next, cut another square of paper from a sheet of ledger paper. I love the look of the new papers mixed with the old papers!!

 

Because I love vintage books (almost as much as I love vintage papers) Emma's Shoppe Books pattern paper was the perfect choice! I trimmed down the paper strips and used a page-distresser to rough up the edges a little. I used a few Glue Dots to adhere them to my sign. 

 

I love sequins but I didn't want anything overly sparkly for my sign. My solution? Paper inspired sequins! I created these little paper-sequins by using 2 circle punches and sewing the 2 circles together. I scattered them onto my sign and glued them, with Glue Dots, where ever they landed..just like real sequins!

 

Now for the fun part - the embellishing! I used a combination of Chipboard Accents, Phrase Stickers and Layered Chipboard pieces, to build the layers of my sign. Once I had arranged and glued each piece in place, I added a few small paper flowers. 

 

Finally, use a Crop-d-Dile to punch two holes at the top of your sign and thread a ribbon through each hole - tying each side into a knotted bow. 

All that's left is to hang your sign up and let your little princess admire your creative work! Hope you enjoyed the creative-process of making a quick hanging sign after-all you can never have too many cute signs!

Simply Crate w/Davinie Fiero

 

I finally got my hands on the Neighborhood line and couldn’t wait to use it on my latest project to share on the Crate Paper blog. This line is perfect for boys and girls and everyday life. I thought it the perfect line to use for a layout about Payton at the park one day.

 The beautiful thing about Crate Paper and the Neighborhood line is that it plays well with previous releases. As you can see by my layout, there’s a touch of Brook for the base paper, and a little snippet of the Paper Doll Collection in the layered flowers I made. I love how bits of the color scheme can be carried forward with each new Collection. It makes it very easy to bring in new product and still utilize your stash.

This layout was fairly simple to create so I thought I’d give the break down so that you can recreate it yourself. 

 ---------------------------------------------------

Start by trimming a piece of kraft cardstock 11 inches square. This piece of cardstock was actually from my junk pile. I had printed some journaling down the center of it for a previous layout, but it ended up in the wrong place with a font that was too large, etc. I’m so glad I was able to put this cardstock to use on another layout.

After trimming your cardstock,

1. Trim the Block Party print 10.5w by 6.5h. Trim another section at 10.5” wide by 3” high and use a border punch on the top edge. We are using both sides of this piece of paper.

2. Layer these two pieces on the kraft cardstock, and adhere. This is where you would stitch if you have a sewing machine.

When you have fun prints like this base here, with a lot of small images to look at, sometimes it’s fun to use a big chunk of it on your layout. It adds a lot to the story.

As you can see I didn’t adhere this to the base paper yet. I will adhere it to the base last. This is because that little bit of dimension between the stitching and the base paper adds a little extra oomph that I like.

I was really inspired by the layered felt flower in the layered chipboard for this Collection, so decided to use it and recreate my own with paper to add detail to my page.

To create layered flowers is really easy. You simply punch circles in different sizes, and stack them up.

I like to use focal embellishments in odd numbers, so I have three flowers total for this layout.

At this point it’s a matter of layering photos and flowers, adding the title, and the journaling. It doesn’t get much easier than a chipboard title from the Chipboard accents for this line. Sunshine is the perfect word to describe her. I added additional title letters from the alpha label sheet, and I couldn’t resist, I had to add that sunshine shaped button from Eclectic button pack in place of the dot on the “I” in my title. (I am in LOVE with the eclectic button packs. I need several packages from each line). I tied up this button with some floss for a bit of fun. I added pop dots for the flowers because every layout should have something adhered with a pop dot.

Lastly, mount that kraft cardstock on your base paper. I wanted something with yellow to bring out the title. I almost chose the Home print with that yellow border, which would have worked great, but I’m still holding my new pretties close to me, so decided to peek around at previous collections for what I had left, and found that the appropriately named Sunshine print worked brilliantly with this layout. Why I still had a whole sheet of this print is beyond me, but I am so glad it has found a new home.

When I was looking for photos to use on this layout I had to laugh at the number of photos where she wasn’t looking at me, had an odd look in her face, etc. But the more I looked at them together, the more I saw her personality, so I had to use several of them on this layout. These photos weren’t taken too long ago, but someday she’ll be married with children of her own (although right now she says she isn’t going to have any. Hmph), and I want her to be able to look back on these layouts and see herself as she truly was as a little girl.

Have a great day! My challenge to you would be to use several photos taken in succession on a layout and see what type of story it tells you. ~ Davinie

The CP Reader's Gallery

A couple weeks ago, we made the announcement of a new feature that was to present here this month called the "Reader's Gallery". Some of you might have noticed the announcement while a few of you may missed it, either way, there's still ample time to contribute! Essentially, every other Monday the Crate Paper blog is reserved for you!! It's an entirely open space devoted to your Crate Paper projects and ongoing ideas. Have an innovative use for Crate Paper's Accent Cuts or cute button collections? If so, email them to us with images of your project and blog {if you just so happen to have one}! We'll take your images and collaborate them as part of an upcoming Reader's Gallery and if nominated as a Crate Paper favorite {one per gallery}, we'll send a surprise eclectic mix of Crate Paper goods straight to your door! And you all know how exciting it is when Mr.UPS shows up with a box of scrapbook goodies at your front door?! Imagine him with a box from "us" and your address on it! We promise it'll be a well stocked box as well, so don't hesitate a second to send us your creations (info@cratepaper.com) - we'll be waiting! 

 

It was terribly difficult to choose a favorite from the few that are shown today, but we love the patterned paper displays on Anita Apostalides layouts!! They're very patchwork-y and fun! :) Congrats Anita - you're our gallery winner! Email us with your info at info@cratepaper.com

 

This layout is definitely our second fave of the bunch! Diana Payne took advantage of Portrait's calendar paper to create a "Year in Review" layout about her family. Her journaling is then hidden behind the layout with the help of a Crate Paper button and an everyday paper clip. 

 

Daniela Costa is planning for her vibrantly colorful "Emma's Treasure's Chest" to be taught in the Bay Area of California at varying scrapbook shops in the very near future. She tells us that she's a huge fan of the new Emma's Shoppe collection and is anticipating sharing it via her own shop and blog! Check out her name for more info...

 

Eva Dobilas's cards are always intricately created and gorgeous to look at! She's a special way with shabby chic styled cards that are always nearly impossible to miss. We love the flower on the second card and the itty-bitty snippets of doodling. So pretty. And wouldn't you know it, she just posted a freshly made Emma's Shoppe layout - it's on display at her blog. 

 

Portrait doesn't have to be all about weddings - it's essentially one of those collections you can work anything from, including a layout about "yourself"! Piradee recently sent us this layout - note the handmade patterned paper button attached to her envelope - we're guessing that there might be some hidden journaling in that envelope..just maybe?

 

And the very last set of layouts we've to share with you today are from Nadia Cannizzo and all are astonishingly beautiful! If you haven't already figured it out yet, we're immensely intrigued by details here at Crate Paper. The more, the merrier. Amazingly, Naida completed her layouts in the short time span of a single weekend - we've been told it's because Emma's Shoppe is easy to work with..thanks for mentioning it Nadia! 

A huge thank-you to all the talented ladies that contributed projects towards today's very first "Reader's Gallery" of March! We hope you'll consider submitting something in the near future just like they've done...we'll be on the lookout for your emails in our inbox! Have a great start of the week everyone! 

Weekend Designer Showcase

The weekend is upon already and as always, we've a round of brand new projects to share with you from our CP Girls! Though, before you launch ahead to sight the pretty creations, we first need to broadcast the two prize winners from the St. Patrick's Day Collection Kit Giveaway event that brought in nearly 250 + comments! We're much obliged to have so many of you comment about your favorite beloved Crate Paper collection here and hopefully, we'll have made at least "two of you" feel especially "lucky" this weekend. Would the following two people email us with their info at info@cratepaper.com - Congrats Girls!

I LoVe all of the lines the same. I can always find the beauty in each and every sheet of paper,brad, chipboard & sentiment. I'm hoping for the chance to work with the neighborhood collection. I love everything from the rain boots to the little dogs. It is as "cute as a button" and would make me one "happy girl!!"

Posted by: Christina Kopp | March 17, 2011 at 06:25 AM

Gorgeous, elegant card! 
I've been coveting the Toy Box collection ever since I saw its bright colors and theme. I have SO many photos of my son's younger days (the non-digital kind - ack!), and I think Toy Box would be the perfect line to scrap them.
Thanks for the chance, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Posted by: Cynthia B. | March 17, 2011 at 04:36 PM

And now we return to this weekend's Designer Showcase - let's check out what they've been up to 'cause it's almost for certain to be an inspirational treat!

Ania Jo Alexander

A homemaker's quilt-like heart finds it way onto Ania's layout along with varying patterned papers from both present and past CP collections. There's even a snippet of Brook in there that we noticed - it's totally cute!

 

Lexi Bridges

Lexi expresses an upcoming theme that we expect to see quite a bit of this Spring - the ever popular "I Thee Wed"! If you've a wedding to 'tend to at some point and have made Portrait a part of it, we'd love to see what you've done! Email us images at info@cratepaper.com

 

 
Amy Heller

We love that Amy thought to implement "Neighborhood" via her impressionable "PINK" baby themed layout. And her card is a completely different take on Toy Box that we've not seen before. It'd be a great deal of fun to give to a little guy on his Birthday! 

If you've plans to revisit us on Monday, note that the first "Reader's Gallery" will be premiering and with it, they'll be a prize winner! If you forwarded a project to us for the gallery showing, you'll want to check in on Monday to find out if we've included your project as part of the line-up and also, possibly a prize winner! We'll see you then! Have a great weekend everyone!