Crate Paper

How to Easily Display Vacation Photos

Hi CP fans! Ashley here, with a fun way to display your vacation memories. In the digital age, unfortunately most of our photos stay on our phones or computers. But it’s easy to incorporate your photos into home décor projects and have them on display.

Since we live on the Gulf Coast, a lot of our vacation time is spent at the beach. We recently went down this past May, and I took several (or 500) photos while we were there. It can definitely be overwhelming when you’re trying to figure out what to do with all of those photos. Never fear, because you can always take baby steps. Pick up a fun photo frame from a local craft store and customize a couple of your vacation photos to put on display.

I picked up an awesome clipboard style frame…for half off…recently and I also grabbed a stand up photo holder. The Oasis collection worked perfectly with my beach themed photo, so I cut a 5x7 piece from the Retreat patterned paper. I printed my photo in Black & White at 3x4, and adhered it to the background piece. Then I added a couple of the Oasis stickers and a chipboard piece to my photo for a decorative look.

You could use the stand up photo holder for another photo, or do like I did and add an embellishment from the collection you’re using. I chose one of the ephemera pieces from the pack and added the “Vacay” sticker to it.

When you’re creating home décor for your vacation memories, look for ways to also incorporate any memorabilia. If you’re going for a beach theme like I did, bring home some sand from your trip and place it in a mason jar.  Throw in a couple of sea shells and you’ve got another fun element to add to your home décor. If you visit several different beaches throughout the year, you could layer the sand in the mason jar from each of your trips.

The great thing about this type of home décor, if the fact that it’s interchangeable. If you want to make it seasonal, you can change out your photo and embellishments to match.  And you can update your mason jar with different items to match the rest of the home décor set.

Oasis Products Used: Crate Paper Oasis Retreat (378986), Crate Paper Oasis Stickers (378995), Crate Paper Oasis Ephemera Pieces (378994), Crate Paper Oasis Chipboard Stickers (378993)

A Unique Mini Album

Many girls love handbags. I once read that this love affair might be deeply rooted in our genes. Back in the days when there were hunters and collectors, women mostly belonged to the latter group. And to collect berries and roots, they needed some kind of containers. True or untrue story? I don't know. But I know that nowadays girls still carry around these 'containers'. They are called handbags. Today I've got a very special handbag for you. It's made from paper and it's filled with two mini albums full of vacation memories. I would like to share some photos with you.

When the handbag is opened, there is a tag on the left side. I colored the flowers with watercolors. On the back of the tag, I noted down things to remember from our vacation. The cover of the first mini album is embossed with an embossing folder. And I also sewed around the edges with my sewing machine.

I combined different materials throughout the mini albums. I used patterned paper and white paper, ribbons, sequins, chipboard stickers, stickers, yarn, transparency foil and vellum paper.

Two of the pages are covered with the flock on vellum from the Carousel Collection. The black bows in combination with the vellum can be used to create an interesting and elegant background. The 12x12 vellum paper is one of my favorite items from Carousel, because it's something special and gives projects a glamorous touch.

Isn't that ice-cream cart chipboard sticker gorgeous? I just had to include it.    

I hope you like my mini album inspiration. Maybe you want to try to create mini albums in a paper handbag too?! Have fun creating.

Supplies: Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Carnival (379088), Fairgrounds (379098), Starbright (379106), Dazzle (379108), Chipboard Stickers (379118), Ephemera Pieces (379119), Stickers (379120), Stickers (379121), Clips (379125), Flock on vellum (379140)

Mixing Embellishments on Layouts

Summer, fun and sun on a layout. What better way to record memories of summer with the colorful embellishment from the Carousel Collection?! I want to share a scrapbook layout with a photo taken at the beach. The layout is decorated with beautiful gold-glittered ephemera and some shiny star and heart stickers from Carousel. I combined the papers and the embellishments following a color scheme so that they match the colors of the photo. And I also wanted to reflect the happy summer mood that we enjoyed at the time when the photo was taken. 

The Dazzle paper is perfect for the background of summer layouts. It reminds me of puffy white clouds that are sprinkled across the blue sky on a warm summer's day.

I was in the mood to create a colorful and fun layout. I layered different elements from the ephemera pack on top of the photo. And I added stars, hearts and some of the colorful little flower stickers from the Carousel collection.

Finally, I added some stitched clouds at the top of the layout as a nice little detail.

I hope you like my layout inspiration. Thank you for stopping by today. Have a wonderful day!

Supplies: Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Kaleidoscope (379100), Dazzle (379108), Chipboard Stickers (379118), Ephemera Pieces (379119), Stickers (379120)

Fun with Embellishments: Everyday Cards

Hi Ladies! It’s Flóra here with two cards made with the pretty Carousel collection. I love the versatility of Carousel as it fits to many themes. These cards were made for birthday, but you could use them for any other occasions.

First card is based on the Carousel Dazzle Paper. It has a wonderful mint color with cute polka dots. I layered a floral and pink paper over, adhered the Chipboard title and YAY from Carousel Swing Thickers sheet. The golden outlines of the alphas are just amazing. I am totally in love. The cute bird -what I added - is from Chasing Dreams Puffy Sticker sheet.

On the bottom section I added Carousel Ephemera piece and one „ticket” from Carousel Perforated Gold Foil Paper. Here I also adhered a beautiful Chasing Dreams Rhinestone heart. The black and white florals and leaves were fussy cut from Carousel Belle Paper.

The background of the second card is Carousel Starbright Paper and over it I adhered a piece of Carousel Perforated Gold Foil Paper. For the title I used a banner from Carousel 6x12 Stickers. I stuck it with foam tape to add dimension. I created a hello title with Carousel Happy Foam Thickers. I like these alphas so much because they are quite small. Behind the title I added a flower sticker and a smaller pink one from Chasing Dreams Puffy Sticker sheet. I finished off my card with a magnificent Carousel Fabric Bow.

I really love the colorful but soft result. It was so easy to create them with Crate Paper goodies. I hope you also like them. Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies: Carousel Starbright Paper (379106), Carousel Dazzle Paper (379108), Carousel Belle Paper (379107), Carousel Magical Paper (379089), Carousel Perforated Gold Foil Paper (379112,)Carousel 12x12 Chipboard (379118), Carousel Ephemera (379119), Carousel Happy Foam Thickers (379115), Carousel Swing Thickers (379116), Carousel Gold Foil Clear Stickers (379121), Carousel 6x12 Stickers (379107),  Carousel Fabric Bows (379127), Chasing Dreams Puffy Stickers (375953), Chasing Dreams Rhinestone (375959)

Back-to-School Layout using Carousel

Hello fans Crate Paper! This week we celebrate back to school time on the blog. It's the time for me to scrap cute memories of my daughter. A magical moment in the life of a child even if it is mixed with a feeling of sadness and separation from dad and mom.

The best photo of that day was at the time of the school trip. Lisa was very smiley and happy. It's a difficult time for Mom, because you have to keep a smile in all circumstances!

This photo fits very well with Maggie Holmes' CARROUSEL collection. To start my layout, I chose several printed papers that I cut a little bigger than my photo. I have superimposed it on a piece of tracing paper and a piece of paper placemat.

Then I pasted the stickers TODAY WAS MAGIC that goes well with this event. I pasted die-cut flowers and then my picture. I added the die-cut heart and 2 small stars stickers.

 

Then I took the second piece of the placemat I glued to the top right and added the pretty label HAPPY.

At the bottom of the page, I superimposed strips of paper and I added the stickers CELEBRATE. I finished my page with sewing to decorate and both fix the items. Thank you for stopping by and wish you a good back to school!

Supplies: Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Marquee Paper (379091) - Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Kaleidoscope Paper (379100) - Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Starbright Paper (379106) - Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Dazzle Paper (379108) - Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Ephemera pieces (379119) - Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Stickers (379120) - Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Stickers (379121)

Back-to-School: DIY Clipboard

Hey everyone! Gina here with a very simple Back to School project for you! I wanted to have a cute clipboard ready for helping us stay on task. I only have 1 child in high school now, but we still need everyday reminders to keep up with homework. So, I decided to create this cute diy clipboard made from repurposed rulers.

It's super simple, just how I like it!  To get started you will need: 

• 11 12 inch rulers
• 1 12"x12" piece of chipboard
• 2 binder clips
• 1 6"x9" paper notepad
• hot glue gun
• glue sticks
• embellishments
• scissors

To begin, I laid my piece of 12"x12" chipboard out on a flat surface. Next, I lined up all of my rulers in a horizontal fashion and heated up my glue gun.  Working from the bottom going up, I began by applying a thin layer of glue to the bottom surface of my chipboard piece and I adhered my first ruler (making sure that it lined up correctly with the bottom of my chipboard piece). After the initial piece was laid, I continued working up, laying one piece at a time, making sure that there were no gaps in between each ruler. I continued this process until each ruler had been adhered down.  When you are finished with this process, there might be a small leftover piece of chipboard at the top. I simply used my scissors to trim it off.

For my next step, I laid my notepad onto the center surface of my ruler frame. I clipped 2 binder clips to the top of my paper pad, and evenly spaced them out. Next, I used my hot glue gun to adhere each clip to my frame. My paper pad wasn't very heavy so the two clips were enough to hold it up.  If you are working with a heavier paper pad you may need to use hot glue to adhere the back of the pad to your ruler frame as well.

Now, onto my favorite part - embellishments! I adhered a cute bow and gold glitter heart ephemera piece to the top of my notepad.  Next, I chose a few simple puffy phrase stickers and adhered them directly under my embellished bow. I figured the stickers can be changed out with different words of encouragement from time to time.

Let's talk about florals!  I love florals! I fussy cut a floral piece from a piece of Radiant paper and adhered it to the bottom side of my clipboard.  Then, I carefully chose chipboard floral pieces and ephemera pieces and layered them across the bottom left side and right side of my frame and violá - a very simple but cute clipboard.  I hope that you enjoyed my project today!  It would make a great back to school surprise for any child!Supplies:  Maggie Holmes Carousel (379111) - Radiant, Maggie Holmes Carousel (379118) – 12” x 12” Chipboard Stickers, Maggie Holmes Carousel (3790119) – Ephemera Die-Cuts W/ Gold Glitter, Maggie Holmes Carousel (3790120) – 6” x 12” Gold Foil Stickers, Maggie Holmes Carousel (3790127) – Adhesive Backed Fabric Bows, Oasis (378997) - Puffy Stickers Phrases W/ Gold Foil, Other:  12 inch rulers, binder clips, hot glue gun, glue stickers, chipboard, notepad, scissors

So Lovely Framed Project

Hello again! It feels good to be back here to share with you what I have created for this week. When I was assigned to create a stitching DIY project, I put on my thinking cap and gave it a thought. I wanted to create something simple and fast but yet with an elegant touch. So after much thought, I decided to go with an altered project. What's more exciting? Finally, I got to create with Maggie Holmes newest collection - Carousel. I am always a huge fan of floral pattern and so glad to find more than one in this collection.

To start with this project, I chose a very elegant white frame. Then I proceeded with choosing the suitable floral patterned paper. After picking the floral patterned paper, I was deciding if I should color the floral and leaves but ended with leaving at it is because I wanted to feature this beautiful pastel pink + blue floral ephemera die-cut in the middle. I also went with a "brush lettering" title. Perfect for the look I was given for. To top them up, I absolutely love how all these colors popped against the black & white floral paper. Exactly what I envisioned.

Just before I adhered all the embellishments down, I sewed some lines on the floral with my sewing machine. I just randomly sewed them by going round and round. I love the non-symmetrical lines. Just by stitching onto the paper and the ephemera, that sure gave very interesting texture to your project. I kept the thread white because I wanted it to be subtle but yet having the stitched texture on them.

Altered frame like this would be perfect as part of your home deco on a side table or even as a gift for that special person in your life. Afterall, handmade gifts from heart are the best!

I hope you will explore stitching in your future project soon. Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies: Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel - Belle (379107), Ephemera Die-Cuts (379119), Chasing Dreams - Thickers (375955), Gather - Stickers (375851)

Stitching Week: Fair Days Layout

Hi everyone!  It’s Ashley, and I’m excited to share a layout with you today, using one of my favorite techniques…stitching! Stitching with a back stitch on my layouts, was a technique I learned way back when I first started scrapbooking and I’ve loved it ever since then. I love the extra texture and pops of color it adds to a layout or project, and I always find it very calming when I’m stitching on a layout.

I decided to go stitching crazy on this layout! There are so many awesome ephemera pieces in the new Carousel collection from Maggie Holmes and I wanted to use some hand stitching to embellish my embellishments! I debated whether or not to stitch the ephemera pieces before adding them to the layout or after adding them to the layout. The latter choice was the winner. I adhered all of my elements to the background paper, and then used my paper piercer to poke holes around each embellishment.

I wanted to use stitching on my title as well as the embellishments, so I fussy cut the word “Days” from the Radiant patterned paper. I didn’t cut right to the edge of the letters, but left a bit of the off-white border around each one of them. Once I was ready to stitch, I chose several different colors of embroidery floss that coordinated with the Carousel collection.  Sometimes I like to separate my embroidery floss down to three strands, but this time I kept all six strands to create a bolder look on the layout.

Any time I use hand-stitching on a layout, I usually also like to include machine stitching. I love the look of the two different types of stitching.  When I created the design of my layout, I used my photo and the embellishments to create a banner look, just so I could go back and add machine stitching to it once I had finished everything else.

After all of my stitching was done, I added all of my other embellishing to the layout. A few stickers, ephemera pieces and chipboard pieces were perfect for adding the finishing touches.

Have you ever tried stitching on your projects? If not, give it a try! It’s a really fun technique and I know you’ll love the look of it on your finished project!Carousel Products Used: Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Sprinkles (379099), Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Radiant (379111), Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Stickers (379120), Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Ephemera Pieces (379119), Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Carousel Swing Thickers (379116), Crate Pape Maggie Holmes Carousel Chipboard Stickers (379118)

Hand-stitched Card Duo

Hi Crate Paper Fans! Today I am back with two pretty cards featuring hand stitching.  These cards took quite some time to create, but definitely worth all the effort as hand stitching gives such a personal touch to your projects.

For the first card I used Carousel Summertime paper as my background. I trimmed a 4”x6” paper piece and poked holes over the back lines of the kites. I chose a dark gray thread for stitching. I didn’t like black as it would give too sharp contrast to my card. The gray thread fits more because it kept the soft look of the design.

After the stitching was done, I chose a die cut from the Carousel Ephemera pack and also highlighted half of the sentiment (you are) with hot pink thread. To add even more texture I created few yellow french knots. In the end I added a beautiful flower from Carousel 6x12 Stickers and matching Chasing Dreams Buttons.

The second card was created with the same concept. For the background I used Carousel Uplifting paper. To every yellow circle, I added french knots to cheer up this fun paper. My title comes from the Carousel Ephemera pack. I poked holes around the black letters and hand stitched around with pink, yellow and teal threads.

Next to the letters I placed matching Chasing Dreams Buttons and Oasis Puffy Stickers. Love how these three Crate Paper collections coordinate together. I also added a few Carousel Gold Foil Clear Stickers. In the end I adhered the title with foam tape and tucked a fussy cut flower behind it.

That was it for today! I hope you found new ideas here. Take your time and add little hand stitched details for your next projects. Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Carousel Summertime Paper (379105), Carousel Uplifting Paper (379110), Carousel Belle Paper (379107), Carousel 6x12 Stickers (379107), Carousel Ephemera (379119), Carousel Gold Foil Clear Stickers (379121), Chasing Dreams Buttons (375962), Oasis Puffy Stickers (378996)

How-to: Altered Magnet Board

Hello there! It’s Ashley, and I’m here today to share a fun DIY project idea with you.  With the popularity of so many home renovation shows on TV these days, I’m sure you’ve heard of plenty of DIY projects. If you’re not into power tools and lots of sawdust, how about creating DIY projects with patterned paper and embellishments from your favorite Crate Paper collections!!

When I’m working on a project, I like to head to the Arts & Crafts store first, to check out items that I can use with my patterned papers and embellishments. On a recent trip to Michael’s, I found a fun distressed note caddy. I knew it would be a perfect match with the Maggie Holmes Chasing Dreams and Bloom collections, so in my buggy it went!  While I was shopping, I also picked up a generic paper pad and a pack of round magnets.

I started things out on this project by covering the notebook with one of the patterned papers from the Bloom collection.  I added the word “Notes” to the front of the notebook with Thickers from the Bloom and Chasing Dreams collections. The holder on the caddy is a great spot for storing the notebook and a pencil or pen for jotting down notes. I grabbed one of the Bloom ephemera pieces and attached it with the clip on the caddy, for a decorative look.

One of the things that I loved about this caddy, was the magnetic side.  About a year ago, I decided to trash all of our magnets…mostly because they were all random letters from the alphabet magnet set that we all buy for our kids when they are little. HA! So needless to say, I have been in desperate need of some new ones. The packs of magnets in the Arts & Crafts store are an easy way to create your own DIY magnets.  I created several different looks, using ephemera, buttons, patterned paper and other embellishments from the two collections.

I finished my project by hanging my two Chasing Dreams Washi Tapes from the hooks.  My kids are always raiding my Washi Tape collection to hang up drawings in their rooms, so this makes it easy to grab it and go. And for a bit of extra decoration, I also included two of the cute tassels from the Bloom collection on the last hook.

I hope you’ve been inspired to use your Crate Paper goodies to create a fun and functional DIY project for yourself…or give as a gift to a friend or family member!

Chasing Dreams Products Used: Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Chasing Dreams Puffy Hearts (375963), Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Chasing Dreams Vintage Buttons (375962), Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Chasing Dreams Cloud Thickers (375954)

Bloom Products Used: Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Bloom My Dear (680409), Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Bloom Delights (680441), Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Bloom Happy Thickers (680432), Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Bloom 6x6 Paper Pad (680428), Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Bloom Acrylic Stamps (680449), Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Bloom Tassels (680437), Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Bloom Ephemera Pieces (680434), Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Bloom Accent Stickers (680435)