Be Nice Dog

Happy Monday friends! I am up on the Studio Calico blog today, sharing my "Be Nice Dog" layout, with the story behind the hilarious photo. I would love it if you would stop by.

I hope you are all well and enjoying your day. Thank you for being here. I will be back on Friday this week with another project that I am personally in love with.

xoxox

Toni

Elle's Studio June 2015 Release

It's the 10th of the month, which means the fabulous new Elle's Studio kit is released. I can honestly say that this is my favorite Elle's Studio kit yet, and guess what it is the biggest kit ever!!! Make sure to read this entire post because Elle is having a huge sale, and an offer for free shipping too. This is the time to do some serious stocking up fellow paper lovers. Don't forget the new kit is $9.99 on the 10th of the month only (afterwards it will be $11.99,) so make sure to pick up your kit today.

Here is what I created this month using the exclusive June kit and coordinating stamp set. This is a kit that I will continue to use throughout the summer and the stamps are just...perfection. I love the blue in this kit. It is just the perfect royal blue and it goes with everything.

My second project used the papers and many, many embellishments, and stamps from the all new Let's Eat collection. I am loving this collection, and definitely see myself using more of it throughout the summer and beyond.

In addition to this super-duper cute kit, there is also a stamp set, a printable, and cut files that all coordinate together.

I did mention a sale right? 

Elle is having a huge retiring sale and getting rid of some of her older (but still amazing) inventory to make room for some new items coming in. Everything in this sale will be 50-75% off. There will also be a couple of bundle specials that will give you plenty to scrapbook with all summer long! 

And to make it an even sweeter deal, Elle is offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders, USA and INTERNATIONAL that are $30+ using the code SUMMERLOVE. This offer ends on June 15th 2015 and includes first class worldwide shipping. Not valid on wholesale orders.

Now that you have all of the information, what are you most excited to get your hot little hands on? Anyone else just loving everything from the June release? Have you picked up the Let's Eat collection yet? I would love to hear what you have your eye on.

Until next time,

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

"We are the Crazy Ones"

I love the song, "We are the Crazy Ones" by Stellar Revival and I finally had the right picture to use the title and lyrics for. Do you know the song, if not here is a link to the video for it from You Tube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8MwGCA15gg

Pretty awesome song, and hey if Steve Jobs could market for Apple using the slogan "Here's to the Crazy Ones, " I figure I am covered either way. ;-)

This layout was fairly simple to put together and a lot of fun too!

For the left side of the layout, print a photo to 8.5 x 11 inches, add journaling to it in Photoshop Elements and print it out.

For the title page, stamp the title using black Memento Ink and let it dry for a few minutes. Watercolor in the letters and let dry again for thirty minutes or so. Sprinkle various embellishments throughout the page until you find an arrangement you like. Adhere embellishments using glue dots.

I hope you liked this layout. What have you been creating lately. Anyone else having fun using watercolors or making layouts using rainbow colors? I would love to hear from you. Thank you for stopping by. Until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

It's Good to Be Home Scrapbook Layout

Who loves making similar kinds of layouts again and again? I do (she says waving both hands in the air like a crazy person.) I have thing for bits of patterned paper, always have, always will. Patterned paper was and will always be my first love (at least when it comes to scrapbooking supplies.)

I have another layout to share today. This one was created using bits of patterned papers from the Studio Calico Far Far Away Kit. I think I may have actually incorporated fourteen different papers for this layout--a new record!

This layout was super simple to create, which basically sums up all of my scrapbooking these days. If it takes longer than an hour to finish the bulk of it, it's just not going to happen.

I love grid designs, and simple clean lines on my layouts. Every layout I create is about the story and what I want to remember from the photographs I choose, the embellishing is the icing on the story-telling cake. I also have a thing for stars and wood veneer, so yeah most of my projects incorporated most (if not all) of those things and I am perfectly okay with that. I don't have to re-invent the wheel to have fun, I just have to be me to enjoy the memory-keeping process. A few strategically placed embellishments, some stitching, some white space, and BAM.....completed layout!

Do you have any repeated techniques or supplies that you love to use again and again? Are you a story teller as well? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you for stopping by today. I will be back soon with another layout to share. Have a fabulous weekend!

xoxox

Toni

Three Layouts using the Studio Calico Carolina Moon Scrapbook Kit

Happy Saturday!

Just popping in to say a quick hi and to share three layouts I made with the Carolina Moon Scrapbook Kit. I used largely the kit, a few embellishments here and there, and some papers from the Crate Paper Craft Market collection (for the pink layout.)

I had a lot of fun making these, and felt like I am getting my groove back, and having so much fun.

Thanks for looking,

xoxox

Toni

Paper Issues: Pinspire Me Monday

Today I have a layout up over on the Paper Issues blog. I found a really fun pin that I was inspired by and am inviting others to share what they create as well.

This is the awesome pin I found courtesy of Better Home and Gardens

There were so many things I liked about this image. I decided to focus more on the strips of pattern and overall color scheme.

I used items largely from the Maggie Holmes Open Book collection, 

as well as some Studio Calico paper from my stash. 

If you are looking for some awesome paper products and need a good store to shop at. Look no further, I know of a great store, and I even have a coupon code for you to use as well! Head on over to the Paper Issues Shop and if you use code "TONI" at checkout you will receive 20% off your entire order.

Lucky: A Scrapbook Layout using American Crafts Amy Tangerine Stitched

 Happy Thursday!

I have a sick kiddo at home, so this is going to be quick today. I meant to share this yesterday, but needless to say, things have been a little crazy around here.

I made a layout using the new Amy Tangerine Stitched collection. I am really loving all of the pieces and bits in this fun and vibrant collection and had a lot of fun last week playing around.

I also have a Scrapbooking Process Video on My You Tube Channel on how I made this layout. You can find that video HERE. Please consider subscribing if you like what you see :-) Please and Thank You. I cannot believe I already have 330 subscribers. It has been so much fun making videos and seeing how much others are liking them. I have found the You Tube community very supportive and just so much fun!

If you are interested in buying any of the Amy Tangerine Stitched collection or anything else for your paper crafting needs, you can get 20% off your entire order if you use the code "TONI" when shopping at Paper Issues.*I do receive a small commission in the form of store credit for anyone that uses my code. This is used to buy product for projects you see both on this blog and on You Tube. Thank you for your support.

Have a great rest of the week. I will have some more Project Life pages and a layout going up on the blog next week. I also hope to find some time to work on my Week in the Life album, and if if possible to share that on the blog next week as well. Wish me luck, and until next time....

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Hello Flash: A Layout using Gossamer Blue's On My Desk

Happy Wednesday! I have a layout to share with you today that I created for a Product Spotlight feature over on the Paper Issues blog. I used the Gossamer Blue On My Desk supplies I  had already ordered, and I had such a great time!

I am seriously in love with this collection. The papers, ephemera, labels, and puffy stickers are right up my alley. I also adore the package of 3x4 gold foil transparencies. All of these products will definitely be making a Project Life appearance as well, not to mention some more layouts I plan on making.

For today though, I focused on a single image of our new ferret. My husband has wanted a ferret since he was a child, and earlier this month he made that dream a reality. Flash is pretty darn cute and we are having a lot of fun playing with him.

Products used from Gossamer Blue On My Desk:

• Screensaver, Multitasker, and Stargazer  12 x 12 papers
• 3x4 gold foil transparencies
• Enamel Stars
• Puffy Stickers
• Days of the Week Label Stickers

Other products used:

• American Crafts white cardstock (trimmed down to 8.25x 10.75 inches
• American Crafts shadow cardstock (trimmed down to 8.5 x 11 inches
• American Crafts dot roller adhesive
• Versafine Ink in Onyx Black
• Pebbles date stamp
• Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher
• American Crafts colored staples (I used gold)
• Needle and Thread
• Printer used for journaling (American Typewriter font)

If you would like to see what my fellow Design Team members Sherry Funk, Amy Close, and Brenda Smith created using Gossamer Blue products, please check out THIS post over at the Paper Issues Blog. They all are seriously talented and really rocked Gossamer Blue this month!

Thank you so much for stopping by today, I appreciate you being here. I will be back tomorrow with a look at my plan for making a #30DaysOfThankful mini album. I sure hope to see you back here.

xoxox

Toni

*Disclaimer: If you use my code over at the Paper Issues

store, I do receive a small commission that is used to 

purchase more crafting goodness at the shop.

Paper Issues: Witchin' You a Happy Halloween

Happy Monday! I have a layout to share with you today that was created for the new "Issue" over at Paper Issues entitled, "Witchin' You a Happy Halloween." SRM has graciously sponsored this issue and we will be giving away a goodie bag of SRM products to the lucky winner.

To enter simple link up any paper project (new or old) that matches our "Witching You a Happy Halloween" theme. Possible project suggestions for this link up might include; anything related to Halloween, including; spooky pictures and photos, spider webs, scary backgrounds, or flip this challenge the other way and document things that make you happy, such as; chocolate, coffee, family, your planner, paper crafting, and anything else you might think of that fits this theme. Another option would be to use any SRM products you might have in your stash. You can link your projects follow THIS link.

I had fun working with the SRM Halloween goodies and muslim bag they sent over. They went perfectly with a picture of our guinea pigs in their Halloween costumes. This was a really fun project to create, and the Halloween stickers were the perfect finishing touch!

SRM products Used:

• Stickers By The Dozen, Take 2 #69005 Halloween
• We've Got Your Border #57005 Halloween
• We've Got Your Sticker #53005 Treats
• Medium Muslin Bag

I also used some papers and labels from the Bella Blvd Halloween Magic collection in the Paper Issues shop.

Thank you for stopping by Toni From Designs today, I appreciate you being here. If this layout has inspired you to get creative, don't forget to head over to the SRM shop to stock up on some stickers, and if paper is more what you are after, why not head over to the Paper Issue shop. If you use my discount code "TONI" you will save 20% off your entire order. Until next time fellow crafters...

xoxox

Toni

*Disclaimer: If you use my code over at the Paper Issues

store, I do receive a small commission that is used to 

purchase more crafting goodness at the shop.

Introducing Sketchy Saturday over at Paper Issues

It's Saturday and the sun is shining in beautiful Rolesville, North Carolina. We just returned from a pretty great soccer game and I am now getting ready to play with pretty paper. Life doesn't get much better than this. 

I don't know about you, but I love a great sketch challenge. Guess what? That is exactly what I am sharing with you today.

We just started a new feature over at Paper Issues. The first Saturday of every month we will host "Sketchy Saturday" and we will have a sketch challenge. The winner is randomly selected from all those who link up a project to receive a $10 gift card to the Paper Issues store. *When you checkout you can also use my code and get an extra 20% off your entire order. Just use code "TONI" at checkout. What'a not to love about a free $10 and 20% off? Nothing. Nothing at all.

Here is the sketch you get to work with. It was created by my fellow Creative Team Member Jennifer Chapin.

Here is what I came up with for my take on the sketch. Believe it or not I made a 2-page layout and I really like how it turned out! I used a letter written by my daughter for the second page. To make the letter archival safe I made a copy and printed it onto some white American Crafts cardstock.

Please head over to the Paper Issues blog and check out how my other Creative Team members (Jennifer Chapin, Shannon Morgan, and Dona Howe interpreted this sketch.) You may enter the contest through Friday, October 10th. A winner will be selected for the $10 Paper Issues gift card and announced via the blog on Saturday, October 11th.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I will be back next week with some brand new flair designs for my store, two different Project Life posts, a card share, and some layouts too. It's gonna be a  good week over at Toni From Designs. A really good week.

xoxox

Toni

Scrapbook Layout: Be Happy

Happy Monday! I hope y'all had a great weekend. We sure did! It was hot and super muggy here in North Carolina, but we still enjoyed our time together. We started the weekend off with a family pizza night and we ended up with one extra child staying over, (that is becoming the norm more and more these days.) We watched Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Saturday we managed to accomplish a few tasks in the yard, a walk, we went to Isabelle's soccer game in the blistering heat, and then we all took naps and relaxed the rest of the day. Yesterday, we went on a long family walk to the grocery store and celebrated our anniversary. A blessed weekend indeed.

I have a layout to share with you today that I made using a digital template, items from the Studio Calico Sandlot Scrapbook Kit,  and other supplies from my stash.

This layout started out as a digital template designed by Shanna Noel and looked like this.

All I had done at this point was to place pictures into the template, print it out

 (sized 8.5 x 11 inches,) and I also outlined one of the triangles using some 

scrap paper so that I could cut my own paper to size and affix it 

onto of the template when I had a spare moment.

This is what the layout ended up looking like after adding patterned paper triangles, a circle tag, some stamping, some journaling, puffy stickers, and a fun wood veneer piece from the Studio Calico Brighton Pier collection.

I really like how this one turned out, all of the bright patterns make me happy, and it was a great way to get lots of pool photos of my kiddos onto one scrapbook page.

Thank you so much for stopping by today, I have a lot of fun news to share with you in the upcoming weeks. Exciting things are happening Monday September 22nd, BIG NEWS is coming. Make sure to follow along with Toni From Designs on my Facebook page and Instagram to stay up to date on the current happenings and sneak peaks.

Until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Paper Issues: You Are Love

Happy Wednesday! I have a layout to share with y'all today and am playing along with the current issue over at Paper Issues, "Tell Me Dies, Tell Me Sweet Little Dies." Remember that Stevie Nicks song? Here is a video of it, if you feel like being nostalgic with me.

This layout has a very special place in my heart because I am directly talking to Elliot (my son) in my journaling. I don't talk about this a lot here on my blog, but he has Asperger's Syndrome. For a long time, I worried constantly about where his place would be in this world as an adult. We had some really difficult moments from the ages of two through ten or so, but now that he is getting older, he is really managing very well, and in such a great place. That is not to say that we had many more wonderful moments, but when you have a child with special needs some of those not as fun moments really tend to escalate.

Elliot is fourteen now, and I do not have the same concerns. He is thriving here in North Carolina in every sense of the word (all 5' 11" of him.) He is quirky and kind and such a loving boy. He always, ALWAYS wants to do the right thing, and is just such a joy to have in my life. He is a great kid and so gosh darn smart, and I just love him to pieces!

Here is the layout I created for the challenge. I used new collections by Studio Calico, Pebbles, Shimelle, and Crate Paper. All of the items used and many more are available in the Paper Issues shop as well.

Don't forget to check out some of the new shop items we have in the Paper Issues shop. While your there, make sure to use the code "TONI" and you can save 20% off your entire order!

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: Eighth Grade Dance

Today is the first day back at school for our children. Our oldest will be starting high school (9th grade) and our youngest is starting her last day of elementary school (5th grade.) I know everyone always says this, but really, where did the time go? How can our oldest be 5' 11" and starting high school? How can girls already be noticing him? How can his voice be so deep already? How...did...that...happen?

As I sit here at my desk, reminiscing about dropping off Elliot at high school vert early tis morning, I realized I have a layout that I still have not shared with all of you. I love this layout, it features a favorite photo from Elliot's 8th grade dance this past May. I figure I need to get this one on the blog before the inevitable back to school layouts. ;-)

For this layout, I printed my photo to approximately 8.25" x  8.25." Next I adhered this photo on a piece of light blue patterned paper sized 8.5" x 11." I added in two strips of patterned paper to the bottom as well as a handout banner, a couple of Studio Calico Roller Rink printables, some Thickers, a #8 brad by Basic Grey, a few enamel dots, some stars, and a few staples for fun. Then I added my title using Thickers in the top lefthand section of my photo. I added a few more enamel dots and star wood veneer. My last step was to draw journaling lines using a ruler and to complete my journaling. A fairly simple layout, but it has a big impact nonetheless.

Supplies Used:

• Studio Calico Roller Rink Scrapbook KIt Octover 2012
• Studio Calico wood veneer stars
• Basic Grey brad
• Tim Holtz tiny attacher
• American Crafts precision pen .03 nib
• American Crafts dot roller adhesive
• Ruler

I have linked this layout over at the Paper Issues blog. The current issue is Admit One." Since the dance required tickets for admittance I feel this layout goes quite well with that theme. If you have any layouts that might fit this theme, I encourage you to link them and you just might wins  price pack from Fancy Pants Designs. You can link your layouts HERE.

Also don't forget if you need to do some scrappy shopping to use my link over at Paper Issues and save your self 20% off your entire order by using the code "TONI." Lots of new goodies in the shop including; Basic Grey Second City, Crate Paper Notes and Things, Shimelle, and Solstice by Pink Paislee.

Thank you for stopping by today. I will be back tomorrow with some Project Life pages to share. I sure hope to see you back then.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Scrapbook Layout: Life is Colorful

I am back again to share another Hybrid layout. I am loving including digital elements into my scrapbooking more and more these days. The possibilities really are endless with digital, but I will always love the tactile feel of playing with pretty paper and supplies. Hybrid is a great mix of both and has been a lot of fun to learn.

I hope this layout encourages you to download a free trial of Photoshop (if you don't already have it) and try your hand at a free template. You won't regret it. If you do give it a try I would love it if you would give me a link to your fabulous creations.

This is my third layout using the Studio Calico Hello, Hello Scrapbook Kit and I really love how this one turned out. *There are still some kits available if you are interested ( I receive no commission for this however, I just love my kits from Studio Calico.*

I used my favorite supplies; patterned paper, wood veneer, puffy stickers, enamel dots, small letter stickers, and gold embossing powder; (the paper and awesome label sticker is from the kit and other embellishments are from my stash.)  This digital template was designed by Catherine Davis for Studio Calico and unfortunately is no longer available, but I bet there is something similar out there. Hopefully, this will give you some ideas as to what is possible with hybrid scrapbooking.

• This is what my layout first looked like after arranging my photos in the template and printing it out. I have a standard sized printer so I could not print it at 6 x 12 inches as it was originally sized. Instead I changed the size. It ended up being about 5.5 x 11 inches.

• This is what the layout looks like once you print it out, trim the sides down, and adhere to patterned paper. Next, you just add embellishments to your hearts content.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I appreciate you being here. I hope y'all have a great weekend. Until next time....

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Creating a Hybrid Layout Using Leftover Bits and Pieces

Happy Thursday! I am back today with an idea for creating a fun hybrid layout, using your favorite digital template and bits of patterned paper. I hope you stay around, grab a cup of Joe, and enjoy. :-)

• I started with a digital template sized for 8.5 x11 pages. and used Photoshop Elements 9 to place my selected photos in the template. It uses one large photo across the top and has a smaller heart embellishment, ( I used another photo in that area.)  This is the digital template I used, it was designed by the fabulous Shanna Noel over at Studio Calico. *I believe this template is only available through the end of June 2014.* 

•  If you don't have this template you could also just print a large photo sized approximately 8.5 x 5 inches, then cut a smaller photo into a heart shape approximately 3 inches across. (See photo below.) I colored the bottom part in aqua so that it was easier to see.

• Now that your photos are printed and ready to go, it's time to get out some of your favorite patterned papers. I used some grid paper from my stash and assorted patterned papers from the Studio Calico Hello Hello Scrapbook Kit, but you could use any patterned papers that you like. Cut down all of your patterned papers to approximately 1 inch wide, (I did not measure this, but eyeballed it instead.)

• Glue down all of your patterned papers down once you find an arrangement you like

• If you like to journal, I recommend having one of the patterns be very plain ( I used a grid piece.) Add your journaling.

• Now it's time to gather your favorite embellishments. The super fun part. :-)  I used watercolor hearts, puffy gold heart stickers, sequins, gems, a transparent letter, wood veneer hearts, w round piece of wood, an October Afternoon date stamp, and my trusted tiny attacher.

• Place your embellishments in a diagonal fashion across the page.

I hope you liked this tutorial and that it gives you some new ideas for your scrapbook pages. I will be back soon with another hybrid layout to share. Until then....

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni