Turn your leftover project life cards into greeting cards!

Hi Everyone

Today I thought I would share a few greeting cards I made using leftover journal/filler project life style cards. I made these three cards in less than an hour! They were so simple to make and far more personal than store-bought. The added bonus was being able to use up some cards and supplies I had on hand. There are so many pocket filler cards out there both in 3×4 and 4×6. I gathered up some cards that I wasn’t using to see what I could create. The assortment I grabbed was from different companies. Pebbles, Becky Higgins, Me and My Big Ideas, and the Studio Calico monthly project life kit.

Turn your leftover project life cards into greeting cards @thecraftypickle.com

 

The first one that I made was this adorable “you are simply wonderful” card from Pebbles. It’s almost that this little filler card was made for a delightful greeting to brighten someones day! I added very little to this card. some background paper, a die cut flower that matched the flowers printed on the card, a few sequins, some yellow string, and some detail on the bee with my glitter pen.

Turn your leftover project life cards into greeting cards @thecraftypickle.com

 

The second card that I made, I used a card leftover from a Studio Calico pack. It was just a plain card that said “Together”. I stamped the “Let’s Get” with versafine smokey gray ink and colored in the “Together” with some copic markers. There was a lot of empty space on the card so I decided to trim it and use some colorful scrap pieces of pebbles basics paper behind for a fun look. to finish it off I sewed around the edges of the card, Popped the title up with foam dots and added a little car paperclip.

Turn your leftover project life cards into greeting cards @thecraftypickle.com

 

For my final card I actually used two project life style cards. The gray background card was from a Pebbles pack and the white square was just cut from a grid journaling card from Me and My Big Ideas. I did not alter the bigger card at all as I already loved the scalloped border. On the grid card square I used a paper smooches stamp set called Squeaky Clean and stamped the vacuum and the sentiment “that sucks”. I did a little coloring with my copic markers and added some sequins and pen detailing. I attached it to the bigger card with a bit of Queen and Co. Washi Tape.

Turn your leftover project life cards into greeting cards @thecraftypickle.com

 

I hope you enjoyed my little card tip for this Monday, and maybe you too can use up any leftover cards you might have in your scrappy stash. Tomorrow I promise I will use my Project Life cards in my actual Project life album!

Until then,

Happy Crafting!

Quick Tip for Friday: Removing the Stick from your Stickers.

Happy Friday Friends!

Quick tip for your scrappy weekend. Sometimes I want to use a sticker or other sticky embellishment but I want to layer it or have part of it NOT sticky. Easy fix! Simply brush on baby powder to the back and it will become un-sticky instantly (and it smells good as a bonus). You can purchase this handy dandy tool from EK Success below or simply have a little container of baby powder (I have a empty mini container that used to hold eyelets to hold my powder) and a paint brush. I keep it close by with my other scrapbooking tools.

Powder tool by EK success

Layering with stickers and labels is great with your project life layouts as it adds that dimensional look but a lot less bulk.

Hope you all have a wonderful Fathers Day weekend!

Happy Crafting!

Organization and Storage Solutions: The little “bits”

Hi Papercrafting friends!

Today I thought I would share my thoughts on organizing the little things that we use in our scrapbook and project life albums. The things that we get in kits for just one page or the little things that don’t seem to have a home in our scrapbook space.

I am a papercrafter that, if I don’t see it, I won’t use it. So I have been on the lookout for an idea or solution to fix this problem with the little things. Now this idea is really customizable to whatever your needs are. You could be looking for a way to store all your flair, or your sequins, even things like embossing powder or glitter! For me I wanted something where I could see all these little things. Little die cuts, wood veneer, Flair, sequins, even a roll of washi tape I know I want to use soon.

Want to know the best thing about this little storage idea? It’s really inexpensive! What started the idea, was when I was grocery shopping I saw these little disposable condiment cups by the foil and plastic bags.

Little Bits Storage @TheCraftyPickle.com

 

They were $2.99 for 50 cups. I wasn’t sure if it would work but I thought at worst I could use it for the kids lunch box when school starts back up. Then I wondered how I would store these in my scrapbook area. My first thought was a flat serving tray I got from Ikea a while back but really that would just take up too much space and not make it very visible.

So I went to wal-mart (target and other stores have these too or check online at places like amazon) and I found a K-cup holder that actually was JUST the right size to hold these little cups.

Little Bits Storage @TheCraftyPickle.com

 

I was surprised at how little space it took up and sits right on top of a half cube penholder/drawer unit I got at Michael’s a while back. It holds 25 of these little cups.

Little Bits Storage @TheCraftyPickle.com

 

I like the fact that I can take out the little cup and set it with a project I am working on. Once it’s empty i can fill it up with the next thing that comes in a scrapbook kit or that doesn’t have a designated place.

Little Bits Storage @TheCraftyPickle.com

Little Bits Storage @TheCraftyPickle.comLittle Bits Storage @TheCraftyPickle.com

 

I think its great that it’s completely clear so I can see completely through it without having to open the container and poke around. If I ever need to replace any of the containers then I can easily grab more because they are so inexpensive.

Little Bits Storage @TheCraftyPickle.com

 

So in total this project cost me under $30 and it is already helping me use the little things I might have overlooked if these little bits were tucked away somewhere else.

Happy (organized) crafting!

 

Project Life week 18: Yes you can incorporate 12×12 layouts in your PL Album!

Hi Project Lifers!

As promised, here is my week 18. This particular week was my oldest son’s birthday and I wanted to incorporate two 12×12 layouts in with my regular project life spread. I wasn’t too sure that I could pull it off and have it flow well but I think that it turned out really nice. Although most of my traditional layouts will go in a different album, occasionally it is nice to put one or two within the project life album.

So this week I have two 12×12 spreads. Here is a look at the first.

Week 18 Project life @thecraftypickle.com

 

I usually use a lot of color so this was a big change for me. I love that it draws your eye to the photos instead of the cards or embellishing. This entire week was actually fairly simple and quick (except for the title card that I talked about last week). I stamped various sayings on the “real life” card with black and gray ink. The “cuddle” and clock image was stamped using stazon ink. For the 12×12 layout on this side I wanted it to flow well opposite the project life page protector side, so I used project life cards to tie it in.

Week 18 Project life @thecraftypickle.comWeek 18 Project life @thecraftypickle.comThe journaling was done using my silhouette. I really love that I can journal anywhere on my 12×12 layout with my silhouette beings I don’t have a wide format printer.

Week 18 Project life @thecraftypickle.com

 

Here is the second half of my week 18:

Week 18 Project life @thecraftypickle.com

Week 18 Project life @thecraftypickle.com

week 18-1-8

 

Remember my post about white sticker letters and alcohol markers? Yep, Used a green copic for these letters here. went super fast and I love that they are slightly shaded rather than flat and solid.

Week 18 Project life @thecraftypickle.com

 

Week 18 Project life @thecraftypickle.com

 

National scrapbook day was a lot of fun…. the clean-up, not so much.

Week 18 Project life @thecraftypickle.com

 

We are still working on teaching the teenager how to smile on command.

Week 18 Project life @thecraftypickle.com

 

I love including quotes from my kids in our album. This one was from my 6-year-old daughter. She was talking about her student of the month award (which is a surprise to all the kids at the award assembly). Apparently when you see your mom in the audience you know you are the student of the month LOL.

There ya have it! Week 18 with 12×12 layouts. The best thing about Project life is that you can make it work any way YOU want to.

Looking for more project life inspiration? Check out The Mom Creative for her Project Life Tuesday post along with a bunch of talented ladies that link up every week.

Happy Crafting!

And the Winners are….

Last week I offered up a giveaway (see this post HERE if you missed it) and I enjoyed the feedback and comments so much that I decided one giveaway wasn’t enough and that I was going to give away three! Two domestic and because I don’t think my international friends get enough giveaway love I put all the international girls names in a bowl and picked one from that as well. Enough of that … On to the winners!

1. Ca Angel from Orange County, CA.

2. Melissa L from Cranston, RI.

3. Bek Walker from Perth Australia

Congrats ladies, and thank you so much to EVERYONE who signed up for the blog and left tips, comments, and compliments! Look for another giveaway VERY soon and a couple of fun blog posts planned over the next few days.

Winners, Please email me (email link to the right of the page at the top) with your address as well as anything you would like me to know and or are working on that would help me customize your kit. I want you to adore your prize! Please email me no later than June 11th.

Happy Crafting!

Project Life Tuesday: Sneak Peek edition

Yes. I do know we are in week 21, I am a bit behind but you know what, I am completely ok with this. I even planned to show you my entire week 18, however life happens and summer vacation started. I decided to spend the day making a fun summer bucket list with my 6-year-old instead.

Last night after everyone was in bed and the house was quiet I was able to play a little and finished most of my week 18, including this title card that was SO much fun to make.

Project Life Title Card. TheCraftyPickle.com

I was inspired by a layout I had seen using different colored sequins behind a word, and thought it would make the perfect project life title card. (I had forgotten where I saw it, instagram I think? If someone knows please do let me know so I can give proper credit to the inspiring scrapbooker.)

Project Life Title card close up @thecraftypickle.com

At first I started gluing each sequins down one by one with some liquid adhesive. after one row of that though I had dried glue on my fingers and the row didn’t end up as straight as I would have liked. So I thought about just putting down glue dots but that seemed time-consuming too. Then I had a fabulous idea. I ran my 4×6 card though my Xyron machine! I turned the adhesive side up and started sticking the sequins down. I was finished in about 10 minutes, now THAT was far more doable than how I started out. After I glued my sequins I cut another 4×6 card with WEEK cut out in the card. I also cut out eighteen from the same white cardstock. I used the card with the week negative space to layer on top with some pop dots. I colored the word eighteen in with some gray copic markers and added some shine with my glitter pen to the top layer. I finished everything off with some outlining and date stamping. I am pretty pleased with how it came out.

So not a full Project Life Tuesday from me today. I will have the full spread to show soon. For now I am linking up with TheMomCreative.com who has a TON of ideas and links to other talented project lifers. I hope you will enjoy what you see over there as much as I have.

Happy Crafting!

Another Super Project Life Organization Idea (especially if you scrapbook on-the-go) *bonus giveaway*

Are you headed to a weekend crop or scrapbook retreat soon? Are you a Project life scrapbooker on the go? Are you looking for a simple way to organize your cards + photos + embellishments by week? I have a great solution for you!

A couple of weeks ago I purchased this large iris photo storage case from amazon here. I have also seen it at other popular craft stores where you can use a discount coupon. My purpose in buying this case was to organize my scraps by color cut down to 3×4 and 4×6 to make them more useable for my project life album. I also purchased individual 4×6 plastic cases in a teal color for odd’s and ends scraps that were not sized for PL but that I still wanted to keep.

Here is a photo of the Iris photo case that holds 16 of the smaller photo cases inside. Iris photo case thecraftypickle.com

Now this worked perfectly for scraps (Special thank you to Lisa McIntyre from the Scrapbook/craft organization ideas facebook page) See Lisa’s Photo below.

Lisa's Scrap storage thecraftypickle.com

Now I got this scrap organization going and I was a very happy scrappy girl indeed. I had some leftover teal smaller photo cases that I figured I would use somehow for something later on.

Then I got to thinking, If I were to pack up for a scrapbook crop somewhere how would I do that, especially beings I primarily scrapbook PL style right now? A little lightbulb went off in my head and I quickly went to test my idea out. Want to know the best part, IT WORKS! It works so well I am thinking of adapting this into a system for me to keep me on track with my project life beings I run about 3-4 weeks behind. It will also help me spread out my supplies, and hopefully not over buy certain supplies. You can even take your monthly project life kit and split that up by week! Keep a little box in your purse with journal cards and your favorite journal pens, close the case and you have a hard surface to write on while you’re at your childs soccer practice or ballet lessons… Possibilities are endless my friends!

But, what about the larger pieces of memorabilia? you could always tape a large plastic paper organizer to the front of your case and slip in those larger bits and pieces. Whatever works for you. Normally I don’t have anything bigger than what would fit in the small photo case.

20130530-101112.jpg

Just pop in printed photos, the cards in the color combo you think you might want to use, your embellishments, your journaling pen or special color marker even…. these little boxes can surprisingly hold quite a bit!

Project life on the go @thecraftypickle.com

What you see in the box above is what I am planning on using for week 18 and then some…. I am undecided on a few choices so I stuck whatever i think i might use for that week. Once I am done with that week I will just shift what I don’t use back into its proper spot in my scrapbook room

*Bonus idea* Want to give a gift to your project life scrappy friend? Pack up some Journal and filler cards, embellishments, a fun pen in one of these little photo cases (costs less than a decorative gift bag). Pop a little card/tag on top and tie with some twine or ribbon and you will have a friend who adores you even more!

Totally amazing idea right? I am planning on doing some scrapbooking on the go this summer…. 5 or 6 of these little guys packed up in a scrapbook tote with some basic tools/supplies and my album and I am totally set!

How about seeing how this works first hand? I have a little project life goodie kit giveaway just for you packed full in one of these little photo cases (cards, embellishments, stamps, pens, etc..). What do you need to do to enter to win? Simple, Just follow my blog via email (there is a spot to enter your email address in the upper right hand corner to make it easy) and leave a comment with your name, location, favorite color(s) and something about project life…. could be a tip, something you love about PL, something you want to see featured on my blog, or something telling me about the things you scrapbook about (will help me customise your prize a little bit better)…. anything at all… I love reading comments from you all! Good Luck!

Happy Crafting!

Working with a monthly scrapbooking Kit: featuring ScrapbookCircle.com

Hi Friends!

This month I was fortunate enough to win a NSD contest for one of Scrapbook Circle’s May kits. I won on instagram with my friend, Toni, who is also sharing her ideas and inspiration using this amazing kit on her blog today. Please visit her at Lifescrapbookrepeat.blogspot.com. You have to see what wonderful things she has created!

Here is a photo of the beautiful kit that we won.

Scrapbookcircle.com

This kit had wonderful papers from Elle Studio, Maggie Holmes, Amy Tan, Fancy Pants, Lily Bee, and Basic Gray. It included some pretty adorable embellishments as well. Those bows designed by Maggie Holmes were one of my favorites and I love the Lily Bee labels for project life! Want one for yourself? There are still some available at Scrapbook Circle. Just click HERE. Hurry as supplies are limited! The company owner, Lisa, can also hook you up with a subscription if you wish. Check out even more inspiration and ideas on the Scrapbook Circle facebook page HERE.

When I sat down to work with this kit I tried to limit myself from using other things that I had on hand. the things that I did add were: 1 sheet of white sticker letters from Basic gray, some various washi tape, Gold Mister Huey’s spray, various pens, ink and markers, various clear stamps, some sequins, cardstock in a few different colors, and my silhouette cameo. This really helped me stay focused on the projects I wanted to complete and saved so much time. Normally it takes me more time “shopping” my stash for the supplies I think I will use than actually doing the project. My goal with this kit? To complete one layout, one project life spread, and one card. And so, I started out on my mission on a peaceful mothers day weekend!

My first project was some snapshots I had of my daughters first ballet class. I knew when I saw the TuTu trim in the kit that these photos would work perfectly. The layout came together surprisingly quick! The background paper was not pink at all, it had a slight mint distressing around the edge. I took some distress ink in a rose shade to make it fit just a little better. I used glue strips to adhere and pleat the tutu trim and I altered the gray sticker letters slightly by outlining them and then using a glitter pen to give some sparkle. The journaling is inside the cute little bag.

Taegan's First Ballet Class-1

For my second project I tackled my week 17 photos for my project life album. The colors in the photos matched pretty well with the colors in the kit. For my title card I used the 12×12 sheet of paper included from Elle Studio. The top left corner had the layering look that I thought was ideal for a title card. I took a pencil and my old school lettering templates and lightly traced the letters for week. I then erased the lines so that I could barely see them and took my black journal pens in three different sizes and started dotting everything outside the letter. I spread the dots more and more as I moved away from the letter. The “seventeen” was white sticker letters from basic gray that I colored with a copic marker.

TItle card week 17 thecraftypickle.com

All of the larger letter stickers are the gray ones that were included in the kit, and the small letter stickers were the white that I added in. I altered the color as I needed to with my copics or another alcohol based marker. The tab stickers were perfect for little bits of journaling here and there. Proof that one can complete a project life layout with normal sized scrapbooking supplies.

week 17-1weel 17 left TheCraftyPickle.comweek 17 right side TheCraftyPickle.com

Now remember when I said I wanted to complete one card as well as the layout and project life spread? I thought that I would be making a card with the last little bits of the kit but it turned out that I had so much more to work with still. I created 4 cards! I am not much of a card maker so this was big for me. All cards that I made I put on white cardstock card bases.

Card assortment TheCraftyPickle.com

My first card is simple and sweet. A nice little thank you using three pieces of the paper included in the kit. I colored in my stamped image with a copic and then cut it out of the white cardstock. I attached it using pop dots to give it a bit of dimension.

Thank you card-TheCraftyPickle.com

My second card is father’s day inspired!I loved the green & blue print of the background and thought it fit a more masculine card. I used my silhouette for the title, the world, and the dad image outline. Notice his clothing? Yep, all little scrap pieces of paper that were in the kit and nothing else. was like coloring with paper and the end result is a fun whimsical card for Dad.

Best Dad Card-TheCraftyPickle.com

My third card was inspired by the floral paper, the pattern almost made me think of wallpaper. I popped some woodgrain washi on the bottom to mimic a table and cut out a vase and some flowers (all out of white cardstock) with my silhouette. I then went in with copic markers in complimentary colors as the background and colored in the different elements then I built my paper floral arrangement to the back of the vase die cut. The bow embellishment was the perfect touch and I added pop dots to the back of the flowers and vase. This card would be great for a birthday, thank you, mothers day, get well, or a “just because” card.

Floral side view-TheCraftyPickle.comFloral arangement card-TheCraftyPickle.com

By my 4th card I was starting to have less to play with so keeping things simple I made this card with a scrap of the star print paper and one of the little paper bags I had still. I stamped “You Rock” on white cardstock and colored in with a purple copic. I shaded using a gray copic and then bordered the white with some of the black zig zag patterned paper I still had. Added a few of those adorable little metal stars to tie in the star theme and popped in a iTunes gift card. This would make a good birthday, graduation, or other gift type of card.

you rock gift card-TheCraftyPickle.com

You know what else? I STILL had more supplies left. I cut all remaining paper down to 3×4 and or 4×6 to use in future project life layouts. I also integrated the few embellishments I had left over in their proper spot in my scrapbook room. Mission complete!

This is the first kit that I have used start to finish and I have to say that it was simple, fun and has changed how I will continue to scrapbook. Kits are a fabulous way to go if you get overwhelmed by all sorts of supplies like me. Joining a monthly kit club like Scrapbook Circle is a great way to keep up on the latest trends, However if that is not in your budget right now, consider putting together some kits of your own from supplies you already have on hand. How do you begin to put together your own kit? Check out this video by Glitter Girl on 2peas in a bucket. This has to be one of my most favorite videos she has done. She even has a PDF to assist you further. I have already began to assemble some of my older supplies into my own kits.You can also look at past kits that appeal to you of various kit clubs and try to copy them as close as you can. If you are a paper crafter on the go, this is perfect for when you are packing up for crop night!

I hope you enjoyed my start to finish with this kit. Don’t forget to stop by Toni’s blog HERE to see more ways you can use this kit. Here is a little sneak peek of what you will see 😉

image1 (3)

Toni's layout 1

Feedback from friends!

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Today I would love to hear from YOU! A blog is not much of a blog without its readers, and I want to provide content you want to see and read. With that being said, I created a little poll that I would love if you would participate in. Additionally if you have an idea that is not apart of this poll and you would like to see featured on TheCraftyPickle.com then please leave a comment below.

Thank you so much for your imput and as always…

Happy Crafting!

*** Poll is closed, thanks for those that participated, Looks like this Pickle will be workin on some techy tutorials! stay tuned!***

Project life week 15&16

Hi Project lifers!

I just finished my week 15 and 16 a couple of days ago. I didn’t have a lot of photos for these two weeks because my daughter was sick. I decided to just do a two page spread for both weeks and call it complete!

week 15 16 Project life. TheCraftyPickle.com

A little bit of random things thrown in here and there for this spread. Here is a close up of the left side:

week 15/16 left side TheCraftypickle.com

And here is the right side:

week 15 16 right side TheCraftyPickle.com

I think the title card was most fun for me. I took watercolor paper and ran it though my silhouette cameo with the black sketch pen for the title. Then I took some water colors and just brushed around the edge in layers until I was happy with the overall look. I really wanted my title to pop and have dimension but I didn’t want to overdo it either. I took a set of close to my heart alcohol markers (similar to copics but not refillable) in the color Jasper (includes one light and one dark shade) I colored in the title, the lighter shade on top and darker on the bottom to give it a bit of an ombre look. I liked how it came out but it didn’t feel finished to me, so I took a cool gray copic sketch marker and marked the shadow of where the letters would be. I was surprised how doing so little popped the title so much. I am really glad I got over my fear of using these awesome markers! Another little thing I learned while working on this title card, was that my white water based sharpie marker works GREAT at covering little mistakes! I accidently stamped the wrong date (by the #16) so I marked over it once, let it dry, and did it again, let it dry and it was great to stamp again.

PL Title card for combo week spread. Watercolor and copics.

Later this week I will be posting some non-project life layouts that I was able to work on over the weekend and maybe a card project or two!

Till then…. Happy Crafting!