Crate Paper

CP Colour :: Fuchsia, Mint, Rose, Orange Sherbet & Pale Pink

 

Melissa Phillips' mini pockets are the sweetest creations we've ever seen! Tucked with tags and decorated with Notes & Things Chipboard Frames, they are sure to perk up a colorful idea, or two!

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(photo credit:  thesweetestoccasion.com)

Hello Crate Paper lovers! Melissa Phillips here with you today sharing a 'Crate Colour' project.  I love letting color inspire me, it's one of my most favorite starting points.  The new Notes & Things collection is packed with lovely colors, from soft and subtle, to juicy and vibrant.  My projects were inspired by the colors found in the photo above.

I began with some 12x12 Notes & Things double-sided patterned paper and my favorite pocket die, with the idea of creating a few pocket notes with tags.  I love that the paper is double-sided so that you catch a glimpse of the fun patterns and colors on the inside of the pocket as well as the outside.

After assembling each die cut pocket, I started embellishing the front using elements from Notes & Things like Chipboard Frames, Mixed Tags, and Standouts Layered Stickers.

I wanted to create some scrappy dimensional bows to embellish my pockets so I pulled out my Styleboard dies and created a few to add some character and personality.  I dressed up the center of each using things like trim and sequins, a staple, button, etc.

I used vellum behind each chipboard frame in order to soften things up a bit, and also because vellum is such a beautiful and versatile element.

 

I used Notes & Things Cardstock Stickers Kraft Label Stickers to embellish my pockets and tags as well as Styleboard Gold Label Maker Stickers.  Little touches of gold add so much charm.

 

A few Love Notes Badges were also used along with one of my favorite finishing touches, the dots from the Wisecrack Gold Glitter Thickers...so much fun.

The Standouts Layered Stickers are so sweet.  Most definitely one of my most favorite Notes & Things products.

Another favorite Notes & Things product are the Kraft Label Stickers.  I love the sweet and simple messages they carry.

Thanks so much for stopping!

Melissa

Out & About :: Beyond Boxes School Scrapbook Layout

After a stroll down a typical school hallway, there's a familiar sight–lockers along the wall, one after the next. They are the inspiration for today's frame-tastic layout from CP Gal, Jill Sprott.

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As a scrapbooker, I'm always on the lookout for inspiration, believing that it can be found anywhere. As an English teacher, I am no stranger to the quest to inspire and to be inspired. Recently, walking through campus at the dawn of a new academic year, scrapbooker Jill and English teacher Jill took notice of the rows of lockers stretching across the school.

In considering these everyday objects with fresh eyes, the scrapbooker started to imagine a page filled with compartments or boxes, while the english teacher reflected on what it must be like for students to deal not just with lockers, but with all sorts of different "boxes" in their lives. Scrapbooker and teacher came together to create this page, with some help from the Notes and Things collection.

In addition to sparking the idea for this layout, the students' lockers also became the focus of the photo, helping to reinforce the central idea expressed in the journaling: "They wake up in boxes, sit in traffic in boxes, head toward their locked boxes, and then enter their assigned ones. They spend their days in boxes, staring at boxes, but somewhere, in the midst of the day, let me be the one who helps them see beyond boxes. Let's unlock, let's defy compartmentalization, let's open up the world."

This message is enhanced through the series of "boxes" on the page, in the form of frames containing various accents, including calendar pages pulled from my planner.

The presence of the days of the week on the page is a reminder that even my days are structured in the form of little boxes.

The title letters, arranged as they are, remind me of stacked boxes. To add some color to them, I used a light pink watercolor pencil on the word "beyond", distributing the color with a wet paintbrush, and then smoothed a bright pink ink dauber over the word "boxes."

Admidst all of these corners and frames and boxes is a polka-dotted backdrop–a sheet of appropriately named Notes and Things "Schedule" paper. The random nature of the polka dots stands in contrast to the more structured frames, echoing the message in my journaling: sometimes we need to move beyond boxes.

Thanks for visiting today!

COLLECT :: Doilies + Notes & Things

As scrapbookers, card makers, crafters, artists, and more, we are compelled to 'collect' things from all walks of life. Items such as paints, papers, buttons, ribbon and vintage ephemera are just a few examples of what one might 'collect' as a creative engineer. Our CP Gal, Katie Ehmann, adores 'doilies' and has found them a very special home on a very special layout.

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There's just something about paper doilies that get me every time. They're lacy, delicate, frilly, and layer beautifully. And, I have a bazillion of them! Luckily for me, doilies are also present in many of Crate Paper's recent collections, so when given the theme "collect' this month, I knew right away that my carefully hoarded, I mean, collected doilies would take center stage on my layout.

This photo of my husband looking at our oldest daughter just minutes after her birth is so very special to me, and I knew it would compliment my doily collage perfectly. Notes and Things features lots of kraft and gold elements, so my special gold and silver doilies were the exact elements to accompany white doilies on my page.

Carefully selected gold, cork and circular embellishments from Oh Darling and Maggie Holmes' Styleboard completed my layered project. The echo the shape of the doilies and blend in seamlessly.

Thanks for joining me today, and I do hope you'll put your 'collection' to good use!

Rogue CP Vintage :: Vintage Card Catalog & Flash Card Layouts

Our Crate Paper Design Team Coordinator, Christine Middlecamp, has crafted the perfect cabinet for storing everyday memories. We invite you to take a peek inside it.

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A number of weeks ago, I went on a thrift store shopping spree with a good friend and happened upon an old card catalog made from solid oak. It was the ultimate vintage find in my world. I knew right away what I was going to do with it, too–fill it to the brim with embellished vintage flash cards.

The cards needn't be complicated–tiny layouts cut to size to fit inside my quaint oak cabinet.

From left to right, the interior of the cabinet measured 5" wide. So, I trimmed the vintage flash cards accordingly and got to work printing photos of various sizes. I then pulled out Crate's latest, Notes & Things (The BEST collection yet), set it on my desk and started playing and creating four different mini layouts.

There's a randomness to Notes & Things that makes experimenting with it super easy. You can get away with just about anything if you play up the tidbits and forget the rules. There's a lot of typographical options as well. Contrasting them against softer elements such as vellum, pastels, pearls and so forth keeps them from feeling overly industrial and linear.

I'm liking the Notes & Things chipboard frames. Each is unique and of a different orientation and design. Forget filling them with simple photos. Instead, use them to frame a 'section' of a design and embellish the interior with an assortment of items. I 'right justified' my photo and anchored it's location with arrows and type. Note how most the items in the frame line-up with my photo's subject matter–my brilliant cat, Casper. 

 I still have a special affection for flowers. I prefer the quiet tone of the flower designs offered via Notes & Things. When placed against bold colored flowers, they 'pop' and come to life.

This final layout caters to the hue, gold, and a simple composition. I coordinated a flower from tiny strips of pattern paper, scalloped vellum circles, a vintage button, a sequin/rhinestone set and two overlapping gold leaves.

Since having started this project, I've continued to create more tiny layouts to fit inside my cabinet. It's slowly but surely gaining bulk, especially in the tab department. They are non-optional and are an art project all their own.

Thank-you for stopping by the Crate Paper blog. It's been an absolute pleasure talking 'thrift' finds and Notes & Things with you, today! 

 

COMP :: Composition Inspiration & Notes and Things Card

Composition is the essence of great design. Just a moment's glance at Pinterest or a magazine can lead to all kinds of awesome composition ideas. Sketches are another popular venue for quick comp go-to's. And then, there are places like here–scrapbook blogs who's sole purpose is to inspire. It's been a long while since we last talked 'composition' at the CP Blog. Rumor has it, you still LOVE a good layout suggestion, so we're offering up a few of our own. Surely you will adore what Wida Miller has to share today–a simple 'Happy Day' card and worldly pin.

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 Crate Paper has asked the members of the design team to find a composition that we find inspirational. The moment I saw this photo I was in love. You can find the pin HERE. The layers of paper, the colors, the great font, the different sized images, the butterflies and the pops of gold in this random way that is so lovely and makes sense to my typically structured mind.

 

 
Here is the ingredients I used to make my above card.

 

 

I started by cutting strips of a single sheet of 6x6 paper in various widths and lengths from the Maggie Holmes collection. I included the tab of the paper because I thought it was interesting and I was not going to waste a single scrap of paper in this beautiful collection! I layered them until I was pleased with the appearance.

On top of the papers, I applied a punched out star (from the paper pack) and arrow stickers. The next layer was the gold twine wrapped randomly around my hand and placed on the card. After that, I applied the picture frame with pop ups. The butterfly nestled inside the frame with 3 pop ups! The Happy Day sentiment came from the tape. Not a single stamp, all paper and embellishments! (Patting myself on the back)  :)

 

Home Sweet Crate :: Shabby Chic Frame & Vellum Photo Holders

 Home Sweet Crate is dedicated to DIY home decor and is another new feature at the Crate Paper blog! Given the abundance of handmade decor ideas out there, we thought it'd be fun to showcase a few of our own using Crate Paper's latest and greatest. Idea number one–a shabby chic frame and photo holder from CP Gal, Jeanette Lee.

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Recently, my family received a monopod as a gift and as a result, we'd been super intrigued by it's possibilities. Nearly every family occasion commanded we give the device a try, taking lots of family photos! Not too long ago, the photos sparked the idea to redecorate the corner of our family room...

 

 

 

During a not-too-long-ago vintage bargain outing, I found a shabby wooden frame and refurbished it with gesso and white paint. I then lined the back of the frame with wire mesh, creating a cute place to hang little vellum pockets using safety pins.

 

 

When starting the project, I measured the height and width of the various chipboard photo frames from the Notes & Things collection and created coordinating vellum pockets to tuck them into. {Each vellum strip is 2.5" to 7" (scored at the 3" mark)}. After folding them over, I secured the edges together. I then cut 2.5" circles and punched a tiny hole in the center of each one. I added a circle to the top of each vellum pocket for reinforcement.

 

 

I backed the chipboard frames with family photos and tucked them into the vellum pockets. The unique set-up lends an element of surprise. Also, the fun 'peak-a-boo' effect makes removing the frames a breeze so anyone can check out the photos up close and personal.

 

The frames and photos ultimately inspired the matching embellishment decor on top each pocket. I covered each one with a large embellishment and other smaller intricate pieces. My chosen color palette was gold, pink, black, and yellow – sweet & edgy.

What's great about this project is the sheer simplicity and versatility of it - I can switch the photos out anytime, as well as the vellum pockets. Nothing is set in stone.

With the frame ready-to-go and up on the wall, the family room is complete - adding more warmth to the area and a cozy home feel.

Minimally Made :: Cute Cards and Clips!

 These simple, Notes & Things cards and clips might not be over-the-top-detailed, but they're still delicate and sweet. With just a few cardstock stickers and patterned paper, Ashley Marcu's duo creation is the perfect way to start off a Monday!

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Creating projects with a minimal approach can be so refreshing for your creativity. I started by searching on Pinterest, looking quickly at pictures returned with searches like "minimal" and "simple". Once I had an idea of my direction, I dove into my projects.

 

 

First, I created a card with the new collection, Notes & Things. For me, on my first project, minimal meant leaving off extra embellishments. No string, no washi tape, no stitching, no enamel dots or sequins. Layering, but in a simple and clean way. I also tried to limit my choices of product, just sticking to one patterned paper, my tags and a few other things. 

 

 

When I arranged my tags I specifically chose to layer the white, sentiment tag between the two colored tags. This highlights the sentiment without having to add extra stitching, tape or other embellishments.

 

 

Next, I went to the minimalist extreme with some super fun results! The Notes & Things Accent Stickers make perfect, simple, embellishments when placed on top of jumbo paper clips. Just one sticker placed on the paper clip makes a sweet bookmark or can be added to a larger project. They can be reinforced on the back with adhesive.

 

 

I went ahead and added one of my clips to a simple cookie wrap. I cut and scored a piece of 12 x 12 paper to fit my cookie. The cookie is fasten in the inside, wrapped in a sandwich bag. With just one journaling card and my clip this makes the perfect, easy gift.

 

 

I hope you've been inspired to try a few minimal projects of your own. You can create a project with less product than you are used to or take it to the extreme and see what you can do with just few supplies. Happy crafting!

 

Crate Life :: Notes & Things Pocket Page Spread

Undoubtedly, pocket page scrapbooking is the most convenient way to express 'real life' as it happens. It's quick, easy and almost anything goes! Today's new 'Crate Life' feature brings together the best of two worlds; pocket page scrapbooking and Crate Paper. Here with the first installment of this new feature is CP Gal, Adrienne Alvis.

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The Notes & Things collection has some amazing products that are perfect for creating weekly 'Crate Life' spreads.  I'm excited to share a little peek into my creative process to show you how I put a weekly pocket page spread together.

I've been pocket page scrapbooking for almost two years now and have enjoyed documenting my family's everyday moments through this particular style.  I dedicate a specific time each week to creating my spreads, usually on Sundays or Mondays.  This helps me keep up with the weeks so I don't get too far behind.

 

I take most of my photos for my Crate Life spreads with my iPhone so I always make sure to upload and print them out at the end of each week.  After I print out my photos, I arrange them on top of my page protectors along with the journaling cards I intend to use until I'm visually satisfied with my spread.  

 

 

Next, I add embellishments to filler cards such as the one in the photo above and I always make sure to include the week number and specific dates somewhere on my spread.  I also add a screenshot of the weather in our local area each week as well.  

 

 

 

The Notes & Things collection has double-sided journaling cards that are very versatile for this type of scrapbooking style.  The chipboard frames fit perfectly in the 3x4 pockets and add dimension to the page without adding a lot of extra bulk.  

 

 

For a quick and easy filler card idea, I took one of the 3x4 journaling cards and cut it down to fit underneath the yellow chipboard frame.  I adhered it to a 4x6 journaling card from the collection and slipped it into one of the pockets.   

 

 

Here's a look at my completed 'Crate Life' spread for Week 27...

 

 

 

Left Side:

 

 

 

Right Side:

 

 

I put this weekly spread together in a short time thanks to the products from the Notes & Things collection.  The journaling cards, stickers, chipboard frames, and embellishments can be used on any kind of project or layout, but are really quite perfect for documenting the everyday in my pocket page album.  

 

CP Colour :: Mint, Yellow, Peach & Turquoise

Crate Paper has always had a keen eye for color. It is everywhere and is a constant source of inspiration when creating our much loved collections. We thought it'd be fun to 'talk color' at the Crate Paper blog with the help of the CP Gal Design Team. We hope you'll join in on the conversation. This first color combo idea from Stephanie Buice reminds of us of the beautiful Notes and Things.

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Hello everyone, Stephanie here today to share my CP Color assignment with you. Nothing inspires me as much as color, so this was a fun challenge for me. In preparing my project, I went straight to my Pinterest board titled, "Color My World", and knew immediately that this was the color combination I wanted to use; a soft muted palette of pale mint, yellow, peach and turquoise–balanced with the warm neutral, vanilla cream.

 

Photo Credit :: Sweetest Engagement

I really like the softness and inviting nature of this color palette. The colors are warm, bright and work either individually and as a group. Also, they are vastly popular right now in the color trend arena.

 

Here is my layout, totally inspired by the photo:

 

To further echo the effect of pastel, I added subtle watercolor drips in coordinating colors to the background of the layout. They follow the direction the arrows, moving downward. 

 

 

Not surprisingly, the new 'Notes & Things' collection was perfect for this project. There were many options within the collection that reflected the soft, muted feel of the photo and layout.

 

 

These pictures are of my brother and his baby girl, I love them. I printed them in black and white because I didn't want to take away from the rest of the layout. Black and white is always a safe bet when working with soft color arrangements.

 

 

 

A softly spoken layout for 'Daddy's Girl' - carefully wrapped in muted tones and other matching details. Do consider the palette for your next project!

 

 

Crate Card :: Cards that Pop!

 We love hearing card ideas from our card making experts, especially after the release of a new Crate Paper collection. Today, Ashley Cannon Newell, shares her love of dimension using the card-friendly line, Notes & Things.

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Card making is so near and dear to my heart. I love the small art canvas to work with and creative possibilities. One of my favorite techniques to add to cards is using dimension. Dimensional elements really make it seem like a handmade card. Today, I have a couple of cards to share with you where I used dimension. I also have a few photos to show tips on how to use cardstock stickers to add dimension.

––>> SUPPLIES <<––

Notes & Things cardstock stickers

Notes & Things chipboard frame

Notes & Things 6x6 paper pad

Notes & Things embellishments

Notes & Things tag

scissors

adhesive foam

cardstock

If used in their original state, cardstock stickers will appear flat on your projects. However, if you take a bit of time to add foam adhesive to the backs, you can get great dimension on your projects. Here, I am showing how I trim my foam adhesive squares to make them smaller to fit the tiny areas of the cardstock sticker.

Once you are done, you have a dimensional embellishment!

I made two cards using cardstock stickers (and more) to create dimensional embellishments.

I added the foam adhesive to the back of the "Free Your Heart" stickers and it added such great dimension to the card.

For my second design, I created a monogrammed notecard.

The angled label and the pencil are cardstock stickers that I used to add dimension. I also added dimension using a Thicker!

So, those cardstock stickers just aren't for flat surfaces anymore. I hope you add some foam adhesive to yours to make the "pop" off your projects.