A Pretty Party Layout w/Christine Middlecamp

I feel I'm slightly overdue for a visit to the Crate Paper blog, so I thought today would make for a great opportunity to give you the in's and out's of a brand new layout that recently premiered in the Spring issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today, a regular supporter of Crate Paper. The premise of the layout is simple; patchwork + a centered assembly of Pretty Paper embellishments. Also, a homespun polka-dotted flower that is effortless to make, and is a mock version of "real canvas"!

Crate Paper is ever-so-close to the release of these illustrated, delicious strawberries {few short weeks, possibly sooner!}. They're a charming Pretty Paper addition. I propped them up with pop dots on top a series of stacked label stickers, all of them Crate.

Moving on to Crate Paper's newest embellishment release, Tag Cutouts, I trimmed one to size and tucked it beneath a heart-shaped transparency. Transparencies of any color, pattern, and size are quickly transformed via the use of punches/die-cuts. Punch just one shape, or many from a single transparency, and use it to adorn your project's background, or as a frame for opulent mini collages.

A triple-layered heart {Pebbles Inc.} makes use of banner stickers {Paper Love Collection} in a fresh, innovative way. Prop two similar banners opposite of each other beneath just about anything and it'll look more like ribbon than a banner.

My favorite Crate Paper quote of Summer, 2011 {Random Collection} - "Stinkin Cute"! It sits just below a serious of tiny buttons dressed in bright pink rhinestones.

I have a drawer on my scrapbook desk that houses all my Crate Paper brads & buttons. It's a joy to look through them from time to time - the drawer is similar to a bin filled with candy, minus the calories ;)

A neutral chipboard butterfly {Pretty Party Collection} greatly benefits from a boost of color with the help of this accordion flower. And around it our those tiny bits and pieces we often forget, or ignore. Don't forget about them! Throw them in a cup or in a place where they're easily located. They're ideal collage components and provide contrast when next to large sized elements.

In this particular image, the color of the flower is "untouched". To bring it out more, I spritzed it with Light Turquoise colored mist. Check out the image below to see the improved version.

**For instructions to create the flower, please visit Scrapbook & Cards Today.

Again, let me remind all of you that both Pretty Party & Story Teller will be available for purchase at your local scrapbook store'(s) within a few short weeks {possibly sooner}. They'll also be available online if you typically shop that route, too! Crate Paper can hardly wait to see what you create from them - please forward your Pretty Party & Story Teller projects to cpblog@cratepaper.com

In saying thank-you, I'll make it a priority to return with even more Crate Paper yumminess in the near future. It's been a pleasure - have a great day everyone!