Crate Paper

Invite Inspiration with a Mood Board

Hi everyone! It's Gina here and today I'm going to share with you an easy way to transform your creative space!

 

Every creative space needs a mood board. They are cost effective and allow you to change the look and feel of your creative space easily. You can achieve this look by using a simple cork board and filling it up with clippings from magazines, photos and quotes as little reminders.  

To create my travel themed mood board, I carefully selected travel pieces from the Cool Kid collection.  I added an old newspaper clipping (map) of Hawaii, photos of my daughter on vacation and some travel themed embellishments.

At the top of my mood board I added a feather banner that I created using plain white feathers, string and gold paint.  It gives the mood board a trendy look and matches my office space.  

All of the pieces on my mood board are adhered with thumb tacks or staples. This will allow me to easily remove items and to add to it as our dreams of travel change.

Supplies: Cool Kid Chipboard Stickers (680482), Cool Kid Accent Stickers (680484), Cool Kid Ephemera (680483), Cool Kid Awesome (680474), Cool Kid Adventure (680478), Cool Kid Brothers (680470)

Travel Mini Album Inspiration

Hi everyone! It’s Ashley, and I’m here today to share a Travel Mini Album with you!  The new Cool Kid collection has some travel themed images, so I decided to go with this collection for the album.  I created my own base pages, which was really easy.  I started by cutting White cardstock to 8x6 inches.  This way, when I folded my album in half, the page sizes would be 4x6. 

I chose several patterned papers from the Cool Kid collection and cut them to the same size of the cardstock.  I adhered the patterned paper to the front and back of the cardstock.  Once I had each of the base pages completed, I folded each one in half.  To secure the pages together, I machine stitched through the folded center of all of the pages, while holding them together.

Since I wasn’t working with a specific travel themed collection, I decided to keep the embellishing to a minimum.  For the front cover, I added an album title using the Play Thickers and fussy cut letters from the Superhero patterned paper.  I also added one of the paper clip stars from the Embellishments pack for texture on the front cover.

Inside the album, I added photos from a trip to Arizona.  My photo sizes range from 2.25x2.25, 3x3 and 3x4.  When I create a mini album, I like to layer embellishments right over my photos to add interest and save space on the pages.  I had White space in several of the photos in the album, so this layering technique worked perfectly.

I also wanted dimension throughout the album, so I used some of the thicker embellishments from the Cool Kid collection.  I chose wood veneers, chipboard, stars and puffy stickers that went with the theme of the album.  I like how these type of embellishments give a “chunky” look to the finished album!

This type of mini album is perfect for documenting a day trip, vacation or staycation.  And they are quick and easy to put together, so you could make additional albums for family and friends if you’re traveling together!

Cool Kid Products used:

Crate Paper Cool Kid Awesome (680474), Crate Paper Cool Kid Adventure (680478), Crate Paper Cool Kid Handsome (680475), Crate Paper Cool Kid Boys Club (680468), Crate Paper Cool Kid Superhero (680476), Crate Paper Cool Kid Wild One (680469), Crate Paper Cool Kid Embellishments (680489), Crate Paper Cool Kid Pennants (680488), Crate Paper Cool Kid Chipboard Stickers (680482), Crate Paper Cool Kid Accent Stickers (680484), Crate Paper Cool Kid Ephemera Pieces (680483), Crate Paper Cool Kid Puffy Phrase and Accent Stickers (680481), Crate Paper Cool Kid Play Thickers (680480), Crate Paper Cool Kid Stars (680486), Crate Paper Cool Kid Embellishments (680487)

Layout Inspiration using Gather collection

Hi there, Karen here for Crate Paper to reveal my first layout with the ever-so-gorgeous collection by Maggie Holmes ‘Gather’. I feel as though sometimes I write similar blog posts when a new collection comes out, I usually describe them as my favourite by far etc., but this time I really do think this collection by Maggie is really my all time favourite. Oh dear Maggie, you always inspire me with every collection & this one especially takes the cake. Maybe it's because as a family we do gather together quite a lot & I can see myself using this collection for some time. I will try not to hoard it.

I began this layout with a beautiful 12x12 paper called ‘Kindred’; it has the most gorgeous pattern with birds. I used some Gesso to fade out the background around where I was planning on placing my photos. Gesso is so easy to use, just sponge a small amount on your paper & wait till it dries (this is always the hard part for me.

Whist the Gesso was drying, I choose two coordinating papers from the 6x6 pad & cut out 2x2’in squares to back my photo, which was cut into 4 equal parts. I love doing this to photos & embellishments. I then selected my embellishments for the left-hand side & stitched them down with my sewing machine.

Lastly I added the chipboard ‘happy’ & ‘loved’ whilst adding in the other tiny word stickers & trims for the bottom of the layout, also stitching these into place.

My layout today is dedicated to my sister & best friend, everyone deserves a sister; I do not know what I would do without mine. You won’t be disappointed in purchasing this entire collection believe me. I also hope this inspires you to create something yourself.

Gather products ‘Happy & Loved’ Layout: Maggie Holmes Gather Kindred(375821), Maggie Holmes Gather Jane (375816), Maggie Holmes Gather Kate (375826), Maggie Holmes Gather Ephemera Pieces (375841), Maggie Holmes Gather Blessed Chipboard Phrase Stickers (375839), Maggie Holmes Gather Together Foam Letter Stickers (375838), Maggie Holmes Gather Accent Stickers, Maggie Holmes Gather Chipboard Stickers (375840), Maggie Holmes Gather Embellishments (375850), Maggie Holmes Gather 6x6 paper pad (375869).

"Cozy" layout using the Gather Collection

Hello again! It's Jessy with you today. I'm super excited to share this layout that I created with Maggie Holmes latest collection called “Gather”. I absolutely love how this collection gives a cozy & homespun feel to my layout. I also adore how this collection can be used in so many themes/topics.

One of my favorite go-to tools, that is always nearby, is my faithful precision scissors.  I love being able to use Crate Paper patterned papers in fun and unusual ways and fussy-cutting is one way to do just that. Fussy-cutting is pretty therapeutic to me. I've also used fun elements from the new Gather collection, specifically focused on the texture & dimension of the patterned papers and ephemera. 

I love layering and by doing so, it gives a lot of depth to my design and also a flow of all the elements together. I sure love that the photo in the middle steals the show among all the beautiful floral around it. It sure gives a very warm + cozy feel to my layout.

Adding other fussy-cutting elements, like the bird among the floral, will create a 'fuller' design to your layout. 

Foam dots are another one of my favorite supplies. By adhering them behind your fussy-cut elements, it instantly creates a dimension. 

That's it from me today! Be sure to grab the Gather collection from your fav/nearby scrapbooking store. I'm pretty sure you don't want to miss this stunning collection. 

Enjoy your day and happy crafting!

Supplies : Maggie Holmes Gather Jane (375816), Maggie Holmes Gather Kindred (375821), Maggie Holmes Gather Sweet Life (375814), Maggie Holmes Gather Ephemera (375841), Maggie Holmes Gather Rub-On Pens (375853), Maggie Holmes Gather Embellishments (375850), Maggie Holmes Gather Thickers – Blessed (375839), Maggie Holmes Gather Accent Stickers (375842)

First Look: Welcome Winter with Snow & Cocoa

Enjoy the festive delights of the winter season with Snow & Cocoa by Crate Paper. Capture winter adventures with icons of snowflakes, cheerful snowmen, and cute trees. Send snowflake kisses in a pleasing palette of pretty pinks, frost blue, and sunny yellow. Create beautiful projects with a host of coordinating, versatile embellishments. Experience the wonders of winter with Snow & Cocoa!

Stay tuned to see more sneak peeks of this fabulous collection! We're so excited to share.

Gather Week: Create a Custom Mini Album

Hello everyone, I'm so happy to share this project today with the new collection, Gather, by Maggie Holmes—I fell madly in love. It's a lovely pastel collection with a soft and romantic feel! 

 

All the beautiful papers made me want to make a mini album. I knew immediately that they would be perfect for a series of portrait photos of my daughter, Lisa.

 

 

I wanted to try something different than my usual album style, so I opted for a large format (7.92" x 5.90"). I created the cover with a printed paper that I used the 2 sides of. Inside I added white smooth cardstock pages and covered with two pretty printed papers. Each paper measures 12" in length and are folded in 2. To bind, I just added a twine that I doubled.

 

 

For this first page, I created a sort of cover page using the text of the paper LOVE I recut the album format.

 

 

I pasted my phones on a white background, alternating between the right and the left pages. I highlighted the beautiful patterns with few decorative elements. Under the picture, I added a piece of paper with 2 embellishments and added 2 pretty sequined arrows. The hashtag was added with rub-on pens, a new product that is already one of my great favorites. I love the effect it adds. The pen is used very easily.

 

 

I covered the left page with one of my favorite papers. As usual, since the paper was so beautiful, I add nothing except a sewing frame. It is sufficient by itself. Really no need to add decoration! 

 

 

Here we come to the center of the mini album where appears the twine connecting each page. To the white background I added a pretty label that I cut from the paper SWEET LIFE and on the other side I have glued two other pieces of paper on a pink background. I stuck the stickers "sweet" and a small yellow leaf.

 

 

Here I have highlighted the pretty paper with swans and small white dots and I used the same combo on the right page. I added a few layers of stacked papers before placing my picture and the beautiful doe. A added a doily to the top and a few stitches here and there.

 

 

This collection is really perfect for my photo series. The color combo is really well matched. I chose to make a very clear overlay paper to highlight the photo with the duck polka dot blue paper. 

 

 

Here is the last album page where I chose to do a very simple and minimal design because I wanted to highlight this profile photo of my daughter that I love.

 

 

As I said, this collection is a real favorite and each element is a marvel. Have fun!

 

 

Supplies: KINDRED paper (375821), LOVE paper (375834), MY STORY paper (375835), #FAVORITE paper (375817), JANE paper (375816), SWEET LIFE paper (375814), STYLE paper (375836), SYMPHONY paper (375824), JOYFUL paper (375831), BEST DAY paper (375825), BEAUTIFUL paper (375823), KATE paper (372826), Blessed Thickers (375839), Accent stickers (375842), 12 embellishments (375850), Rub-on pen (375853), Ephemera pack (375841)

Make a DIY Teacher Gift

Hello everyone! It’s Andrea here and today I want to share with you a fun idea for a DIY teacher gift using the Cute Girl and Cool Kid collections from Crate Paper! It is “back to school” time and that means it’s time for teacher gifts! Teachers are so important... they do the hardest jobs, but they are so sadly undervalued a lot of the time. I think teacher gifts are a great way to let them know our appreciation for their work and for how big an impact they make on so many lives!

I love teachers and even though I don't have any kids, I thought that it would be cool to make a little gift for my mother-in-law who is an elementary school teacher! Her name is Mrs. Bethke (like me) and I thought she might like a cute “Mrs Bethke's Classroom” sign to put on her desk.

I used a combination of the new Cool Kid and Cute Girl collections to create a DIY sign that I felt would nicely reflect the feel of her classroom – which is a public school computer class that has little boys and girls in it.

I used a wood piece as my base and then covered it with some of the pretty black and white patterned papers that come in Cool Kid and Cute Girl. Then, I cut the word, “classroom”, using my diecut machine and some pretty blue paper from Cool Kid. To spell out,“Mrs Bethke's”, I used the awesome wood thickers from that same collection.

I added the paper airplane chipboard stickers because I think those just scream “classroom”. Also, I used the rubber-shaped robot from the Cool Kid collection because I thought it gave the sign a nice “tech” feel. I felt that it was appropriate for a kid's computer class.

I finished the sign up with a few puffy stickers and regular stickers from both collections such as hearts, stars and arrows...just to add a little more interest and depth. I really hope that my mother-in-law enjoys her new classroom sign and that I have inspired you to make a fun, quick and easy DIY sign like this for the teachers who make an important impact on you and your children's lives!

Product List:

Cute Girl Giggle Paper (680497), Cute Girl Cheery Paper (680499), Cute Girl Puffy Stickers (680507). Cute Girl Stickers (680510), Cute Girl Mixed Embellishment Pack (680512), Cool Kid Boys Club Paper (CK12-80468), Cool Kid Fun Times Paper (CK12-80471), Cool Kid Brother Paper (CK12-80470), Cool Kid Wood Thickers (680480), Cool Kid Puffy Stickers (680481), Cool Kid Rubber Shapes (680485), Cool Kid Chipboard Stickers (680482)

 

Back to School Project with Cool Kid

Hi everyone! It's Gina here to share with you a set of back-to-school tags using the new Cool Kid collection. These bookmarks can be used to help organize school supplies and keep homework and much needed items in place.

I started by organizing school supplies in three separate glass jars – erasers, pencils and paper clips.  Then, I created a tag for each jar.  These tags can easily double as bookmarks.  

I mixed and matched papers and embellishments from the Cool Kid collection to create each.  I love the bright, vibrant colors in this collection.  The primary colors are perfect for back-to-school and could easily be used for a boy or a girl.

To create each tag, I first started by trimming my patterned papers to 2 1/2” x 7” each.  Next, I used my scissors to cut the corners. Then, I punched a hole in the top of each tag using a hole punch.  In these photos the hole is covered up by mini clothespins, but string could easily be added later on to make bookmarks.

I wanted each tag to look different so I used a variety of patterned papers and embellishments.  I used a tiny attacher and sewing machine to adhere some of the embellishments down.

I hope these back-to-school tags have inspired you to create your own!

Supplies: Cool Kid Chipboard Stickers (680482), Cool Kid Puffy Phrase and Accent Stickers (680481), Cool Kid Accent Stickers (680484), Cool Kid Ephemera (680483), Cool Kid Embellishments (680487), Cool Kid Small Star Embellishments (680487), Cool Kid Wild One (680469), Cool Kid Run & Jump (680467), Cool Kid Awesome (680474), Cool Kid Champ (680473), Cool Kid Brothers (680470)

Back-to-School Layout

Hello!  It’s Ashley, and I’m here today with a Back to School themed layout.  Summer activities are coming to an end and most of us are already sending the kiddos back to school or getting ready for their first day of school.  Since we homeschool, I try to take a beginning of the year photo for each of the kids.  Our son, who is the youngest, is going into Second Grade this year and I knew the Cool Kid collection would be perfect for a Back to School layout!

The Cool Kid collection is so versatile, and has products that can be used for everyday layouts, back to school layouts and even travel themed layouts!  I started with the Hooray patterned paper and used the notebook patterned side for my background.  I love this kind of patterned paper design, because it makes it really easy to line up your photos and embellishments.

Next I printed two photos and decided where I wanted them on the layout.  I usually like to place my photos and main embellishments without adhering them at first, to get a feel for the design of the layout before I make anything permanent.  I cut apart some of the designs from the Run & Jump patterned paper and mixed them in with my photos.  Before adhering any of the cut pieces, I machine stitched around the outside edge of each one to add texture.

After I finished placing the main elements on the layout, I started looking through the Cool Kid embellishments.  There are so many fun embellishments with this collection, which made it hard to choose what I wanted on my layout.  Since I had a collage look going on my layout, I was able to add a good variety of embellishments from the Accent Stickers, Pennants, Embellishments, Puffy Stickers, Ephemera Pieces, Wood Embellishments, Chipboard and Rubber Accents.

I used the awesome Play Wood Letter Stickers for my title.  Since I had a lot going on, I decided to keep the title simple and just went with Second Grade.  I love the handwritten look of the letters and how they stand out on the layout.

If you’re looking for ways to document Back to School photos, I hope you’ve found some inspiration today!  The Cool Kid collection would be great for documenting school photos throughout the year!

Cool Kid Products Used: Crate Paper Cool Kid Hooray (680472), Crate Paper Cool Kid Run & Jump (680467), Crate Paper Cool Kid Chipboard Stickers (680482), Crate Paper Cool Kid Play Word Letter Stickers (680480), Crate Paper Cool Kid Rubber Accents (680485), Crate Paper Cook Kid Wood Embellishments (680489), Crate Paper Cool Kid Ephemera Pieces (680483), Crate Paper Cool Kid Boys Puffy Phrase and Accent Stickers (680481), Crate Paper Cool Kid Pennants (680488), Crate Paper Cool Kid Embellishments (680487), Crate Paper Cool Kid Accent Stickers (680484)

Giveaway Winner

 

Happiest Friday, Crate friends! We hope you've had a great week and enjoyed seeing the new collection by Maggie Holmes! We're excited to share the winner of the Gather prize pack...congrats Janelle Shultz! Please email [email protected] to claim your prize. Thank you to everyone for your kind comments. We're so happy you love the collection!