Crate Paper

Last Chance to Win the Fourteen Collection!

Crate Paper Spotted Artist :: Valerie O'Neall

There is still time to submit your "Holiday-Made" creations with us before the announcement of December's "Pinterest" Fave {Early Wednesday Morning}! Since the contest's big debut last week, Crate Paper's been busy reading your emails and panning gallery after gallery in search of CP projects that we think our Pinterest followers will enjoy. You could say we've been "Pin Happy" lately :) Today, we plan to return to the very same galleries (Two Peas in a bucket, Studio Calico & Scrapbook.com) in hopes of discovering more of your Crate craftiness. For all the latest details about the contest, visit HERE. Remember, your project is only to be 50% Crate - Sleigh Ride preferred, but not a requirement. If you'd like to save us time, or to ensure that we spot your project, send us a link at cpblog@cratepaper.com - thanks ahead of time!

CP Project Life w/Piradee Talvanna

Hi Everyone, Piradee with you to share my take on Project Life. First off, I'll be honest, I only started working on mine in November once I stopped having to travel for work and am still trying to figure out the best way to document all the moments. Hopefully, you'll join me on my journey. The first thing however was the big decision on what album size I would use and eventually settled on a smaller version (6.5" x 8") using the Handbook Album from Studio Calico.

Once that was settled and after buying a stack of page protectors, I started working on the pages and creating the necessary cards. For week 51 and 51, I used the Sleigh Ride collection. I'm loving the Gold Dotted Vellum!! As seen above (Vietnam), the vellum was really useful for adding a "top layer" onto the card and thus allowing me to have a title and journaling within the small-established space. Also, with our recent trip to Vietnam for Christmas, there were so many pictures that I wanted to include but didn't want to create too many pages per week, so I created a mini collage from multiple photos (really like how it turned out - definitely will be doing more of this).

For week 52 (starting), I opted to create a page divider for the week and once again, can't get enough of that vellum and also, another picture collage capturing all the moments of our day trip to Mekong Delta (tons of fun - and yes, we did also bike through the rice paddies).

And that's officially it for the very last Project Life presentation of 2012! Thanks for stopping by - Happy New Years!! 

Pinning your CP Holiday Season + Fourteen Collection Giveaway

CP Designer :: Janna Werner

We're chiming in after a long holiday weekend. Like you, we've been away from the office spending time with family and friends celebrating Christmas!! Now that all the presents have been opened, photos taken and everyone tucked away in the warmth of their homes, we're expecting to see a lot of Christmas/Holiday layouts at our favorite online galleries like Two Peas in a Bucket, Scrapbook.com, Studio Calico, etc. Surely, Crate Paper will be pinning it's faves!! And guess what, there's a special incentive in it for you! Here's the details:

Craft with Crate in honor of your Christmas Memories this year and then post your crafty project at your favorite gallery for the world to see! If we "SPOT" it and think it's a hit, we'll pin it to our "Crate Spotted" board. To help us locate your creation, send us a direct link of your gallery image {cpblog@cratepaper.com}. All we ask is that project be 50% Crate Paper. On Monday, December 31, we'll raid our spotted pin board, select a bunch of fabulous faves, and post them on our blog. The "All Star" fave will receive the full Valentine FOURTEEN collection, papers & embellishments! 

If you've yet to locate us at Pinterest and want to survey our boards, follow us HERE. Our design team is constantly adding fresh, inspiring images, including artistic works from our fans! Do check it out!

CP Project Life w/Naomi Atkins + Ornament Challenge Winners!!

Hello! Naomi here with an installment of Project Life! One of the many things I love about project life is that you can make it however you want to make it. You can make it very simple with journaling and pictures, or you can jazz it up a bit!

I'm always a fan of making things pretty, IF and only IF I have the time. This week, I chose to add a lot of Crate's Sleigh Ride elements to my project life. It was very Christmas themed this week because most of what we did related to Christmas! I used a mixture of some of my standard project life journaling cards, and Sleigh Ride's patterned paper and embellishments. Also, I added some washi tape, which is very project life friendly for those quick, extra touches! I love the Chevron background tone on tone paper, so I started with that. I used some tags on the bottom left, put a fabric brad on each, and that served as the spot to put my reindeer tags I made with the kids and their fingerprints this week. I used some Ali Edwards brushes on my pictures, which I really enjoy now that I print my own pictures for project life (I just bought an Epson printer, and I LOVE it!). It's much easier for me to stay caught up!

On the top right, I used some of the gold dotted vellum from the Sleigh Ride collection (LOVE!!). I sewed it around my paper, and added some gold glitter underneath and a Crate chipboard snowflake to the top. An easy dress-up to the layout! I added some chipboard letters at various spots and then I was done!

Hope to have inspired you to go and get caught up on your latest project life production!! Happy Holidays Crate Followers!

 ~

The moment that many of you have been waiting for, the WINNERS of Crate Paper's first ever, Creative Weekly Ornament Challenge!! Let it be said, there isn't just "one" winner, but FOUR! The first is of course the Mega Prize Winner and will take home the entire Sleigh Ride collection; papers, embellishments and all! The Three runner-ups will receive a Sleigh Ride Collection Kit. This is by far the most we've ever given away during a challenge, so this particular group of projects is "extra special". A HUGE congrats to....

Gina Moretti :: Crate Christmas Dove

Grand Prize Winner

 

Nattarida Smith :: Lace Ornaments

Runner-Up #1

 

Amber Engelhardt :: Custom Ornament Garland

Runner-Up #2

 

Vanessa Gutierrez :: Hope, Love & Peace Angel

Runner-Up #3

Gorgeous work ladies!! We're so very happy to see Crate adorn your Christmas tree this year (and homes!!) Please forward your shipping info to cpblog@cratepaper.com. You're boxes will reach you just in time to scrapbook the holiday season! 

We'd really like to thank all of the talented artists that sent us their ornament creation'(s) as part of last week's ornament challenge. We can't express enough how grateful we are for your entries and will be forwarding a special "thank-you" message to each of you in the coming days - it's been an honor, truly. 

Christmas Gift Box Tutorial w/Michiko Kato

 

Hello CP Fans! Michiko here to share with you a special "how-to" about how to create a bits & pieces, eclectic "Christmas Gift Box". Trimmed with the help of my Silhouette Cameo, creating the box took very little time and effort. If you're without a Cameo, that is entirely OK! The tutorial is still really easy, so lets give it a try! First, here's a peek at the supplies you'll need - feel free to change the design/colors/embellishments/patterned paper, etc. 

:: General Supplies :: 

Sleigh Ride Blue Christmas Paper {680113}, Sleigh Ride Silver Stripes Vellum {680124}, Sleigh Ride Phrase Stickers {683095}, Sleigh Ride Vellum Die-Cuts {683106}, Sleigh Ride Chipboard Accent Stickers {683098}, Sleigh Ride Brads and Buttons {683101}, On Trend Glitter Clothespins {683061}

 

Find a ready-made box to use as part of this project - a pillow box is just one type of box available {Sample}, though there are an infinite number of box styles to choose from. Select a box design that best fits that task at hand - it should be large enough to house your gift! This one is about 4" x 5". After cutting out the box, assemble it and temporarily set it aside.  

 

Decide which elements you'd like to combine to create a "topper" for the gift box. The trick is to incorporate as many patterns, textures and shapes that match well together, but are still different enough to be of interest next to one another. 

I trimmed a leaf from white cardstock using my Silhoutte. Lots of "leaf" designs out there - pick a leaf that suites the eye! Here are a couple of great examples: Fern, Leaf Branch, Flower Branch, Botanique Branch. Apply an even coat of gold glitter onto the shape. Set-aside to dry.

Moving right along, I then trimmed a silver striped notched circle from Sleigh Ride's Silver Striped Vellum.  I kept the size of the circle at about the same width as the leaf. Next, I punched a hole on-center the chipboard snowflake shape and positioned a brad to the area. 

 

Tie the vellum and paper tags with red twine, and then attach them to the box with an assortment of other embellishments as shown. Finally, attach a gold glittered clothespin to the top, just behind the snowflake. 

I love to layer with embellishments and paper - the more, the merrier. I think it looks so gorgeous! And with an added hint of gold, a favorite color of mine, you can't go wrong - it's this year's Christmas-y hue! 

 I'm really looking forward to Christmas and can't wait to celebrate it with family and friends! I wish all of you a Happy Holiday, enjoyable New Years! Thank-you for joining me today! 

 

A Christmas Canvas Tutorial w/Rahel Menig

 

*There's been an extension set forth for Creative Weekly's CP Ornament Challenge! You now have until Thursday, December 20th to submit an entry to cpblog@cratepaper.com. Full details are published HERE. Please ensure that your entry arrives either before, or by the noted deadline. The Grand Prize Winner will announce Friday, December 21st, along with the three "prize earning" runner-up's!! Winners take home "Sleigh Ride" + space at the Crate Paper Blog and Crate's "Christmas" Pinterest Board. Help us to create a Merry and Bright Christmas for all with your CP Exclusive Ornament Creations!

~

When I was thinking about my assignment to use paint on a project, I remembered that I had that one canvas for a while sitting in a corner. I didn't know what I wanted to do with it, just that it would be a wonderful painting. Now, I don't actually paint, other than a little bit of watercolor.

So, one fine day with enough courage in tow, I took out the blank canvas and started adding color to it. Around lunch time, I showed it to my husband and the only response I got was "It kinda looks like someone went to the carnival and...." Yes, he really hit the nail on the head with his comment. It didn't look pretty at all. So, I decided - frustrated with myself - to paint a layer of white on top of it and start again. 

Long story short, it was one of those happy accidents. The white paint covered most of the unattractive color beneath it, but didn't forgo the patterned paper that I had covered the canvas with originally. Now, the canvas is hanging on the wall, proud and all!

So, how did this happy accident happen? Let me share this tutorial with you so as to create your own peek-a-boo effect with paint and paper! It's actually a great lil' effect suited for just about any project, including the ol' traditional layout! 

Select a patterned paper {Sleigh Ride "Happy Holidays"} that has interesting color or pattern going on. It'll contrast against the white, so choose something bright, or that has a bit of "pop" to it.

 

Add white acrylic paint to the paper, squish it around with some cards (playing cards or retired plastic work fab!) and allow the paint to dry before continuing with the page. When you're done, you'll have randomly painted sheet of patterned paper and a cool, must-keep card for another project.

 

To add texture and further interest to the layout, use some Puffy Paint that is readily available at the local craft store and add it directly to your photo'(s). Since my image features "snow", it worked out perfectly for this particular technique. Of course, adding the puffy paint is an optional deal. Do what works best for your photo'(s)!

 

To top off the entire page, add lil' snowflakes to the rest of the layout with puffy paint. Simply create little dots with the brush and allow them to dry for a few hours. Don't forget to include them directly on top some of the embellishments - scatter the snow throughout!

Adhere the beautiful layout to a 12" x 12" canvas using either a spray adhesive, or a gesso of some kind (rolled on with a brayer roller). Allow it to dry and when ready, hang it on a wall, or set it on top a shelf/dresser for family and friends to admire.

 

 Hope you enjoyed the tutorial! Happy Holidays Crate fans! 

Crate Paper Guest Designer :: Maggie Holmes

 

Hi There! I'm so excited to be with you again as the guest designer today! I've had a blast, as always, playing with Crate Paper's products!!

Considering that it's December and the fact that I'm in full-blown holiday mode now, I thought it would be fun to create something of a "Christmas Theme". And not to mention, I have been anxious to play with the Sleigh Ride collection! When I first saw this line of products, I was literally giddy and jumping with excitement! It's the first Christmas line I can remember ever loving this much! I fell in love with the color scheme, the vintage looking elements, the sequins and of course, the GOLD touches! I really can't get enough of it!!

I created a mini album from the collection, along with a few other things from my personal stash like shipping tags, glassine bags, and of course, more sequins! The pictures I used are from last year. We snapped them on Christmas Day and they hadn't found a home in my album yet. I knew this would be the perfect project to feature them and my favorite Christmas products all together in one cute lil' album! 

 

What I love most about albums like this are that you aren't constrained by a particular size. Each page can be totally different from the next and you can mix in a variety of page types including the tag cuts from the line along with shipping tags from the office supply store. I hope this inspires you to pull out the Sleigh Ride collection and make a little mini album of your own!

Happy Holidays to you and best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and fabulous New Year!! 

December Creative Weekly :: Ornament Central + Ornament Challenge Reminder

 

 

Hello everyone! Kimberly here with you a special Creative Weekly post devoted to sharing a couple of ornaments I recently made and a full set of instructions for creating each one. This time of year is especially fun for me as it's full of magic & joy, and keeps me smiling all month long. I LOVE all the bright colors, twinkling lights, and the cheerfulness that fills the air everywhere I go. I find that it's contagious, don't you? 

So, with the two ornaments, here's the exclusive on how to make them, and what ultimately inspired me to create them in the first place. 

 

There are a number of favorite catalogs that reach my mailbox and I love thumbing through them for creative ideas. While checking out the latest Sundance catalog, I found this ornament made from tiny, individual clothe-bound fabric pieces. It immediately got me thinking about trying the same concept from paper, rather than fabric. I just love the look of it, the vintage feel and modern underlying design. 

 

To get started, you'll need the following items: One large/medium styrofoam ball along with several small ones, an assortment of patterned papers and a hot glue gun. I went through my Sleigh Ride collection and picked out several papers that displayed a savory blend of stylish patterns and colors. I LOVE the teal in this line! It's a perfect compliment to the reds and pinks, don't you agree?

Cut your patterned papers into 3" x 3" sections and wet them down with some water. You'll want to let them dry until they're just damp before forming them around these tiny styrofoam balls - this is primarily to avoid ripping the paper.

 

Upon completion of the wrapping, heat up your glue gun and begin placing the pieces around an individual large styrofoam ball. Squish them in nice and close as shown in the above photograph. 

 

T'daaa! When finished, you should have a fun ornament decoration that is colorful and cheery like this one!

 

With this next one, I thought of the idea while finishing up the ball ornament. I happened to have a few posy flowers laying next to my table, and thought how fun it would be to make an ornament from them. This design calls for the addition of different sized circle punches (scalloped/non-scalloped is fine) and once again, a large styrofoam ball and hot glue gun. 

Start by punching out several circles of various sizes from different patterned papers. Again, I chose papers from the Sleigh Ride collection, as well a few brads & buttons.

 

Cut around and into the interior of the punched circles in a spiral fashion. 

 

Shape them by turning them around your finger (or tweezers) so that they look like flowers. Apply glue to the centers to hold their shape. 

 

Like before, attach them to a large styrofoam ball with the hot glue gun. I added some brads to the center of mine for fun. Feel free to add whatever you'd like; brads, buttons, sequins, etc.

 

When finished, you'll have another beautiful holiday ornament decoration! 

Thank-you for stopping by the Crate Paper blog today! I hope this spurs you creatively to make decorations of your own, or to share with your loved ones. Happy Holidays!

~

Don't forget that Crate Paper is hosting an extra-special "ornament" challenge with this month's Creative Weekly!! There are MULTIPLE PRIZES to be had, an opportunity to have your work shown exclusively at the Crate Paper blog, and free link-ups if you're a crafty blogger who loves paper crafting as much as we do. It's your time to "SHINE"!! Check out the contest details HERE. 

 

December Creative Weekly :: Ornament Central

 

 

Rebecca Luminarias

Bring on the snow! I'm an East Coast transplant living in Southern California and I always miss the snow this time of year. So in place of the real thing, I decided to surround myself with handcrafted snowflake ornaments instead. I wanted a very layered and textured look for my ornaments, so I took wood and chipboard snowflakes, tulle, lace, and patterned paper punches and built several ornaments from them. I painted the wood and some of the chipboard flakes silver and gold and then layered all of the other pieces on top of them. I finished off each ornament with a fabric brad, seasonal tag, or a small wood bird or tree. I think these will definitely help to fulfill my wish for a snowy Christmas!

 

Michiko Kato

When my daughter was little, I made a mini bag shaped like a sock and tucked Christmas presents inside it. I then put it next to her pillow at night. When she woke the next morning and opened the bag, her expression was of delight and excitement. I'll never forget that moment as it brought me great pleasure to see her so happy. Today, even though she's all grown up, she still uses the "stocking". I'm extremely greatful that she treasures the precious gift and as a tribute, I created ornaments from patterned papers that look just like the sock I'd made her so long ago. On top the ornaments, I layered soft, ruffled ribbon and pieces of Sleigh Ride's colorful chipboard. I plan to give the ornaments to my daughter alongside a gift come Christmas. I can't wait 'til she see's them! 

 

Tami Gookstetter

I don't know about you, but this time of year is busy, busy, busy for me! So I'm always looking for ways to multi-task, which is what I love about these simple ornaments made with paper from the Crate Sleigh Ride collection. Not only are these quick to make, you can also make this project with your kiddos, the perfect thing to keep them busy while they are home on Winter break. As an extra bonus, these could also double as unique and crafty package toppers for your holiday gifts! All you need for this project is some colorful double sided patterned paper from the collection, stapler, hole punch, and twine. Cut the paper into strips as wide as you like (I varied mine from 3/4" to 1" widths) and then cut two each; short, medium, and long. Gather together at one end and staple, then push the other ends down until they all line up and staple again. Punch a hole to hang, or tie on, and add your twine. If you like, you can add an eyelet to your hole for a little something extra. I always have good intentions to make some really original and detailed "fancy" decor this time of year, but in the end, I have to be realistic, can you relate?

December Creative Weekly :: Ornament Central

 

 

Anabelle O'Malley

One of my favorite ornaments to create around the holidays is a tussy mussy. Originally, these were delicate floral bouquets that were held in small silver cones. Suitors often brought them to young women when they were courting. But, now they have evolved in many different ways. I decided to create one that holds a variety of Christmas themed elements. The Sleigh Ride collection was perfect for doing so. My tussy mussy is an ornament that could be hung on a tree, a door knob, or any other place that needs a decorative touch.

To create this project, I cut a cone shape from the Sleigh Ride paper. I rolled it up and adhered it with strong double sided tape. The cuff at the top was made with a fan-folded strip of paper that was hot glued onto the cone. Then, I embellished the front with some chipboard pieces and a vellum tag. I tucked some holiday floral picks inside and added more Sleigh Ride chipboard. I finished off by adding a couple of small chipboard circles to decorate the pink berries on the pick. 

 

Ashley Cannon Newell

Handmade ornaments can add just the special touch to your holiday tree. Not only is it a fun activity for the entire family, but it holds such a sentimental handmade quality value. With just one 12 x 12 sheet of paper, a trimmer, and some glue, you can easily assemble your own handmade ornament too. Here's how:

1. Trim a 12" x 12" piece of patterned paper into 1/2" strips and fold one end towards the middle.
2. Fold the other end towards the middle and secure with adhesive. Repeat for all strips.
3. Adhere all folded pieces together.
4. Add adhesive to the middle.
5. Assemble each folded piece separately until the shape is complete.
6. Add cord to hang ornament.

 

 

Naomi Atkins

I wanted to make a dimensional paper ornament, so I decided to make a snowflake ornament with a few "extras"! Crate's Sleigh Ride collection is just AMAZING, and all of the little extras in this collection are fabulous! I made six diamond shapes from one inch strips of paper, and then glued them together. I used the leftover four inch strips and made smaller triangles to go inside for extra dimension and also, to make the ornament more sturdy. I then added glitter glue and some course glitter to the top. I then die-cut a snowflake from the awesome silver and white striped foil/vellum sheet from the Sleigh Ride collection. I then added half a doily, a chipboard snowflake, some vellum tags and a Sleigh Ride fabric brad. I punched the brad through all the layers, including the chipboard snowflake so it would stay together well. 

For the second ornament, I made a mini book. I love this concept because I bought little framed ornaments for each of the kids and once I had five, that became unrealistic to do every year. I made a page in the mini book for each child, embellished and sewing it a bit, and used gold thickers to show each child's age. I then sewed this red and white ribbon to the top to hang it and then clipped it closed with a gold glitter clothespin from the "On Trend" collection. It's now ready to hang! For all of the pages, I sewed some pieces of paper, embellishments and also, a doily on most of them. I added touches of gold to almost every page so it had a cohesive look. It was so much fun that I think I'm going to make one every year! I will treasure opening the "first" every year as well!