Challenge Me Tuesday: Confetti

**Keep reading for our next challenge.

Given the recent trends of banners and splatters, it's only natural that confetti like accents have become the next hot trend. They all work well on their own, or blend together beautifully.

With all those punches, gems and tiny embellishments most of us have on hand, there are no special tools to buy for this effect, and what's best, we can easily use up some of the scraps we have on hand. pair confetti with some colourful twine, and you've got a full blown party right on your page!

 

Practical Scrapper Kerri created this fun cupcake shaker card using her 5/16" circle punch to create the confetti inside.

Practical Scrapper Cathy

Practical Scrapper Claude

 Practical Scrapper Jenny

Practical Scrapper Erin created this page based on a sketch by JJ Sobey.

Since spring is upon us, our next challenge is to use leaves in our projects. Get green and leafy, and show us your projects! send a link before the end of day Monday April 25th, and your project could be featured here on Tuesday with our design team projects. We love seeing your take on the challenges, and knowing that you're playing along.

projects can be sent to : practicalscrapperslayouts(at)gmail(dot)com

Happy Tuesday!

Challenge Me Tuesday: Make a Scene

Our last challenge was to create a scene on your project using the usual scrapbooking supplies. I love the examples we have for you today! Nothing says Whimsy, than a little landscape made from paper.

 Practical Scrapper Claude 

 

Practical Scrapper Jodi used Clear Layered Stickers by Momenta, to create a scene on this card.
She made a second, also using Momenta paper, but added some fun The Alley Way Stamps.

Practical Scrapper Julie made this page from scratch by piecing papers and chipboard.

The only "pre-made" items were two stickers and some buttons.

Marilyn Peter 

Practical Scrapper Fern created this little scene using the Silhouette SD (fence), the Cricut (tree), and different stickers and stamps...

Practical Scrapper Liz sweetened her scene with a cute pair of zipper trees trimmed with buttons.

Our challenge for next Tuesday is to break out the stencils and masks; use them with ink, spray, chalk, paint or whatever works for you.  Let's call this one...ready?.. really?.. "Stencil Me In".
 send your links to practicalscrappers(at)gmail(dot)com, If you'd like a chance to help our designers inspire others.  Please include CMT: Stencil Me In  in your subject line. If you can, tell us what type of stencil/mask and medium you used.


Happy Tuesday!

 

Pin It **Designer projects are not always linked in our posts, but you can always find their blogs in our sidebar or in the staff tab**

Challenge Me Tuesday: All Inky

Our next challenge will be to use shapes with 5 or more sides on your layouts and cards. Pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, octagons etc. If it has more sides than a square, but isn't a circle, it qualifies! Send your project links to practicalscrapperslayouts(at)gmail(dot)com, to be considered to be part of our feature next Tuesday.

 Last week, I challenged you all to break out the ink. I wanted to see all kinds of fun uses, and more than anything, I wanted you to all get your hands a bit dirty. By the looks of it you did! I'm blown away by the creativity, and inspired to do some inking of my own this week!

Practical Scrapper Cathy

Created with Ranger Glossy Card Stock, Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks and Canned Air

Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink and Canned Air Tutorial

Based on a Julie Bonner Sketch

Practical Scrapper Lynn Shokoples

Kim Martin
check out Kim's blog to see how she applied the ink to her background on this page based on a Brenda Ragsdale Sketch for GrandDiva's Creative Corner

.

Practical Scrapper Brett
 turned chalk ink pads upside down and stamped them directly on the page. She did the same thing with another color on a second sheet of white cardstock and then used her Silhouette SD to cut her title from it.

Wendy Antenucci
Wendy actually has 2 great examples up on her post, so check them both out!

Practical Scrapper Fern

used Tim Holtz Distress Ink and a Crafter's Workshop template (chicken wire) to create the beautiful texture on her background sheet. 

Practical Scrapper Christa used Tim Holz Distress ink to cover the chipboard title and added some to the background crosshatch stamp from Stampin Up! in the lower and upper corner. She also added it to all edges and the button.

Practical Scrapper Erin

I splattered a bit of Tim Holtz distress stain, then layered it in a few spots, and used it to colour the wooden bird and tag.  I then used a Pitt artist pen to doodle around the "farm" letters before removing them, and added more doodles around the photo. 

Thanks to everyone who participated and sent us their projects, keep them coming!

Happy Tuesday!

Challenge Me Tuesday; Handmade love

**Next we want to see how creative you can get with your stamps. We know you've got some, and need to use more of them, so break out at least 5- We know you can do it! and send us your final project if you'd like it featured here! e-mail a blog link of your masterpiece to: Practicalscrapperslayouts@gmail.com. Please remember to include your name as you would like to see it  posted with your work.**


We asked you to incorporate something handmade by someone you love on a project. As a mom of two boys in preschool, I have a TON of art projects coming through my door, as well as a mountain of crafts we do together at home. I love the idea of taking photographs of the bulkier projects before they ultimately get recycled, and featuring the flat ones on my pages. Whether the project takes center stage, or works to decorate your page and emphasize your theme, using your children's art on a page just makes sense.  As scrapbookers, many of us strive to capture childhood memories for our children, and their artwork captures the essence of that time.

Although children are the main topic of pages for many of us, try also documenting cherished things you have around the house, like Nannie's quilts, a sweater knit for you by Mom, the pie your neighbor dropped off, old postcards or letters, or a project you made and are really fond of. In our age of mass production, and "virtual" everything, it's the unique handmade objects that really warm our hearts, and speak volumes about who we are and love.

Practical Scrapper Christa created this whimsical page using her daughter's colourful handprints as flowers. I just love the multicolored stitching around the border of the page.

Practical Scrapper Michelle records her daughter's writing activities, by including photos along with an actual sample. A beautiful way to preserve this little keepsake.
***Keep reading there's more!***

Challenge Me Tuesday : No Patterned Paper

* *Next week's challenge is to create a project incorporating something made by someone else. Use your kid's artwork, a lover's writing, document a sweater handmade by mom, your favorite cookies made by Aunt Edna, a piece of patchwork from grandma's sewing basket...
e-mail us a link to your creations, at practicalscrapperslayouts@gmail.com, with CMT in the subject of your e-mail.


Don't get me wrong, I love patterned paper as much as anyone. But when you reach for a sheet of pre-printed paper, part of the decision making is being done for you; an implied style, theme, or set colour scheme. If you're looking for some ways to shake up your current style, limiting yourself to other ways of creating interest and texture other than adding patterned paper is a fun way to do it. A project without patterned paper need not be boring; play with bright colours, stamps, inks, paint and mists. Create pattern with punches and die cuts, add stickers, stitching and trim. Don't forget the impact of "found" materials like cork, corrugated card and doilies, as well as dry embossing, heat embossing and all those yummy trinkets. There are so many options to explore, and endless ways to fully customize your project.

Practical Scrapper Brenda

Practical Scrapper Audrey

Challenge Me Tuesday: Fussy Cutting ( with video tutorial)

**Next week we're taking you far far away from fussy cutting...We want to see what you can do without patterned paper! Send your creations to practicalscrapperslayouts@gmail.com .We'd prefer if you sent us a blog link to your project, and sent submissions for the challenge with CMT in the subject line.

Today's Challenge Me Tuesday technique focuses on fussy cutting. Fussy cutting is the process of meticulously cutting out or into a design from a piece of patterned paper ( or stamped image) in order to embellish, or to incorporate elements as you would when cutting into a background paper. We have a tutorial from Practical Scrapper Bev on fussy cutting backgrounds at the end of this post.

The technique can be used for layouts and cards alike, and is a great way to add layers and interest to a project. I enjoy cutting out the odd design, but it's the "meticulous" part that probably keeps me from being great at this technique. Here are some great examples to inspire:

 Debbie Burns

Debbie's technique is all about fussy cutting, and it makes for stunning pages!

Practical Scrapper Audrey hand cut the branches of flowers from a patterned paper to make a unique statement on her page.

Be sure to read on!!

Challenge Me Tuesday: Doodles

ETA**Next week we're featuring a challenge with colour! Use shades of these colours in any ratio you want to participate. Don't forget to send us a link to your project at practicalscrapperslayouts@gmail.com

Doodling

Recently, I've begun to let go of the idea that my layouts need to be pristine and perfect. I think the more I decide to use mediums such as paint, mist and ink pads on my pages, the more I'm open to the idea if leaving my creative mark so to speak.  So now, I can break out the pens ( markers and sometimes pencils too!) and add an outline here, a squiggle there, and before I know it, doodles start appearing everywhere.


The look of doodling is easiest achieved freehand, but can also be done using templates and stencils, as well as using tools such as a Cricut machine, or even an old Spirograph set.

A few simple ways to start doodling if you are unsure:

• Outline title letters, or page elements to enhance them
• doodle concentric lines around objects for a fun effect
• simple doodles include lines, arrows, hearts and flowers.
• add faux stitching
• add movement lines to butterflies, bumblebees and ladybugs
• use writing as a decorative element
• doodle with a marker and block out certain areas around elements.
• create a custom border or frame
• create block letters or creative lettering for a special title.

 

 Practical Scrapper Erin

 Practical Scrapper Bev

Julie Koets

Practical Scrapper Aymee

Practical Scrapper Christine doodled all over the flowers on this patterned paper from Momenta.  She also did some outlining throughout the layout.

Practical Scrapper Bev

Practical Scrapper Erin

Practical Scrapper Aymee

If you've ever covered the front of a school notebook or a scrap of paper with scribbles and symbols, you too can add doodles to your project. just remember, it's so much fun that it may be hard to know when to stop!

**Designer projects are not always linked in our posts, but you can always find their blogs in our sidebar or in the staff tab**

Challenge Me Tuesday: Flags

***Next week we're featuring customized buttons*** Show us how you can transform a button, or just a great fresh way to use them. Send us a link to your project at Practicalscrapperslayouts(at)gmail(dot)com If you would like for us to feature your work. 

If you thought banners were a popular page element in the past year or so, just wait until flags and pennants catch on! I've seen a few manufacturers releasing stickers or die cuts in flag shapes, and making your own is easy!

Flags are a great way to convey a message, or signal a celebration.

Practical Scrapper Erin

On my layout, I used a sticker by Echo Park layered on white cardstock, and "mounted" on a wooden skewer that I misted with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist. 

Practical Scrapper Christine

Christine made flags and attached them to stick pins.  She used Momenta paper and embellishments throughout the card and added some black doodling (100% inspired by Practical Scrapper Erin!) throughout to give the products a slightly bolder look.

 Practical Scrapper Michelle R

Here the flag coordinates with the rest of Michelle's page, using October Afternoon Product from the Rocket Age Collection.

Challenge Me Tuesday: Trees

**Next week's challenge: Try adding a flag to your project, and show us the results! send project links to practicalscrapperslayouts(at)gmail.com if you want to be part of our challenge feature.

Trees are definitely popular images to use in scrapbooking and cardmaking. We use trees on spring, summer, fall and winter pages. They don Christmas layouts and holiday cards. What better place for placing sweet birds, owls and birdhouses that have become popular embellishments? Trees are full of symbolism, and pair perfectly with images of our growing children, deeply rooted love, and family. Today, we've got  a variety of projects to share with you, covering all kinds of types of trees. The next time you're looking for a universal element to put on a page, you might want to try a bit of foliage.

 Practical Scrapper Christa Uttley

 Penny Light

Wendy Antenucci

Challenge Me Tuesday: Custom Flowers

**Next week we want to feature your projects using any type of Tree. 

Send us a link to your project to Practicalscrapperslayouts(at)gmail.com

 

We asked you to show us your flowers, you know the one of a kind flowers you've made from scratch, or you've altered in a way that's all your own. We've got some great examples for you, including a video tutorial, so be sure to read to the end of the post.

Practical Scrapper Christa made the Accordion flower, and added rub-ons to the others to customize them.

Carrie Labani made these sweet pleated flowers to compliment the flower on her daughter's headband.

This card by Karen Zabuska features a beautiful handmade lace flower.

Challenge me Tuesday: 2's Bingo

Last week we gave you a Bingo board to play with - using the items in twos to correlate with our anniversary and here's the fabulous results!  A special thanks to our design team member, Jayma, for creating the bingo board!

Practical Scrapper Jayma

Practical Scrapper Brenda