All About the Coffee

Desperate for good coffee during a retreat, my friends and I drove into the neighboring town to a quaint, but busy, coffee shop. I had a pour over (I admit, I thought it was a new thing … lol) and it was the most amazing cup of coffee ever!

I was so in love, we went back the next day and I was able to create a page about my favorite treat. I used Medium Coffee Grid Paper and papers from Creative Memories. I also created a little pocket to hold tags that told of my journey. And, of course, a video that shows you to do it!

Ducks doing the Wave

This was a fun little page I made following an encounter with the ducks of the Fenton Mill Pond and Shiawassee River. I couldn’t believe they came running toward me — before I got some of the chicken’s meal worms out of the back seat — and ate right out of my hand. Feeding ducks is so much safer than feeding chickens … ducks have a soft bite and don’t try to eat your finger in the process.

I used the new Wave Border Set from Mosaic Moments to create the journaling spaces on the page. Here’s the video to show you how …

This post is sponsored by Mosaic Moments.

Magic Hour in Williamsburg

Matt and I traveled to Williamsburg, Virginia over Memorial Day weekend for a class with Tami Potter, creator of Mosaic Moments. Budget and time constraints kept the trip shorter than I imagined, but we still enjoyed three amazing days immersed in history.

One of the highlights of our trip was Magic Hour. Magic Hour is that time just before sunset when the lighting is soft and warm. It makes colors pop and everything look spectacular in photos. Kevin and Tami Potter took us on a little tour of some of Tami’s favorite gardens in the historic district and provided photo tips for us along the way.

Since Magic Hour occurs after most of the buildings in Williamsburg are closed, there were few people wandering about and our group practically had the city to ourselves! We went into places that we did not realize were open to the public, learned some tidbits of history from fellow members of our group, and got some amazing photos. It was one of those evenings I never wanted to end.

This is one layout I did showing just a few of the photos Matt and I took …. I wanted to keep the map and tips Tami gave us, so I included it in a pocket on the page. The layering on the pocket was inspired by Matt and the use of a totally different die set — the Postage Stamp Set. I was talking to him about the dies and bouncing ideas off of him for a video. He was thinking literally and thought I should create an envelope and put the stamp on it … I started thinking about how to make the flap and it evolved into this pocket …

I love how it turned out … and it is super easy to create. I made a video to show you how to do it …

 

 

This post is sponsored by Mosaic Moments.

On the Road: Marshall, Michigan

I am so excited to take Candy Scraps on the road. I have always wanted to travel and teach and now I am finally going to do it. My travel trailer is another year in the making, but thanks to the encouragement of Els Van de Burgt, creator of Elizabeth Craft Designs, I am starting small and heading out to stores within a few hours of my house.

My first stop is the beautiful town of Marshall, Michigan, located near Battle Creek. If you have never been, it is worth the trip! This town is filled with historical and architectural landmarks, unique nationally known museums, and some amazing dining. (Win Schuler created Schuler Cheese Spread here!) Most importantly, it is the home of Paper and I, which is where I will be teaching. Along with papercrafting supplies, Paper and I, offers journals, stationary, greeting cards, unique gifts and kitchen items — a little something for everyone.

I am offering two classes Saturday, Aug. 19, along with a FREE demo. The first class will teach several techniques using Elizabeth Craft Designs Microfine Silk Glitter. This is NOT your momma’s glitter — trust me! It is soft,sparkly, smooth and silky and, once applied, does not shed. I’ll show you four different glitter techniques using dies, lace, masks and more.

In the afternoon, we will work with Elizabeth Craft Designs’ dies and Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks to create two cards and a small gift/candy box. I’ll show you how to make your own stencils, give you a few tips on die cutting, and show you a few different ways you can color with the inks.

After that, I will demonstrate how you can use Copic markers (or any alcohol-based marker) to color on ECD Glitter. The demo is free for anyone, whether or not you take the classes. Paper and I will, of course, have all of the products for you to buy. You can even preorder the products you want to make sure they don’t sell out before you get there.

Oh, and did I mention there will be giveaways??? All class participants will have a chance to win a few fabulous prizes … Those who take both classes have a chance to win a bonus gift, as well. It’s my of saying, “thank you.”

I am really excited for this new opportunity and I am so thankful Audrey, owner of Paper and I, is allowing me to teach at her store. I would love to have a few friendly faces in the group as I take on this new venture. So if you are at all able, please contact Audrey and sign up, shop or stop by. I cannot wait to see you!

For complete details, visit Paper and I, here. Or call Audrey at  (269) 781-8200​.

Adding Pattern Paper

It is easy to use cardstock and photos to create beautiful mosaic pages using the Mosaic Moments system. But, pattern paper can also be used to enhance your pages.

On this page, part of my sister’s trip to Africa, I had random pictures of animals she saw on the game drive. I didn’t really have enough for a page and they didn’t really go together. So I used pattern paper to fill in all of the spaces and create a cohesive design.

Here’s the coordinating page …

I love how the paper becomes part of the story, and not just an accent on a page. It ties all of the photos together, yet lets each one talk on its own.

What do you think?

Flowers for Fiona

Fiona is a beautiful hippo born premature at the Cincinnati Zoo and I have been following her progress through social media since shortly after her birth. Fiona has required an enormous of amount of care, as any premature baby would, and there were many times she was almost lost. Several fundraisers have been created to help pay for Fiona’s care, including purchasing the Team Fiona shirt I am wearing in this page.

Happily, Fiona is doing well at nearly 400 pounds, has been reintroduced to her mother and is even occasionally on display for short periods of time.  Once she is out and about all of the time, I plan to make the 6-hour drive each way to meet her in person.

For me, being on Fiona’s team was so important that I thought I should record some of her memories on a scrapbook page. And, since Fiona is so special to me, I went all out and cut the flowers from wool felt, adding another layer of texture and dimension to the page.

I made a video to show you how I did it … you can watch it here …

This post is sponsored by Mosaic Moments.

Wedding: Pen Jar

My sister had a theme wedding. As a world traveler (she’s been to all but one continent and all of the states), she wanted to bring her passion to travel to her wedding.

We made place cards using map paper to help people find where in the world they will be sitting. Each table was a different place she has visited … (more on the centerpieces to come).

In leu of a guest book, she bought a map and pens for guests to sign. Naturally I couldn’t let the pens just “hang out” on the table, so I made her a coordinating little jar to hold them in.

The label was a little large for the jar, so it had a few wrinkles, but it turned out really cute, don’t you think? Here’s how I did it:

My secret weapon is Elizabeth Craft Designs Clear Double Sided Adhesive. If you’ve followed me before, you know how much I love this stuff. It sticks to anything, is crystal clear and comes in all sorts of sizes. I applied it to the back of the map paper (Authentique) and then ran it through my Big Shot with a Tim Holtz label die. This way, adhesive wouldn’t show from one side of the jar to the other.

I then added a black stamp die cut, also from Tim Holtz/Sizzix, to each label. I topped it off with a sticker from Little B.

And, on the other side …

I finished it off with a bit of ribbon from American Crafts and some travel charms from Art C.

I sure hope she enjoys this journey!

Stars and Stripes Forever

I thought we should be a bit patriotic today, so I brought back this classic page from 2014 … This one was cut by hand, but you could do the same thing with the dies …
By the way, this is still one of my favorite pages of all time and it still lives in my sample book!

 

 

I captured the moments from our Fourth of July celebration on this Mosaic Moments layout.

Hop over to Journella to see how I created it and cheer me on!

It is Easy with Stickers

Every time I use Peel-Off Stickers and Silk Microfine Glitter from Elizabeth Craft Designs, people fall in love with my cards. It’s a fun and simple technique that provides big rewards. My husband, who had never crafted before a friend dared him, loves it and colors whenever the booth is slow or someone wants a demo.

The greatest thing about it is the glitter stays put, so the recipient does not receive an envelope full of glitter. You can even put it in your scrapbook and not get a puddle of glitter at the bottom of your page protector.

 

The technique is really simple and you need just a few products.

1. Cut a piece of white cardstock slightly larger than your outline sticker.
2. Cut a piece of Elizabeth Craft Designs’ Clear Double Sided Adhesive the same size as the cardstock. NOTE: This is exceptional adhesive. Once your glitter, sequins or whatever you need to stick is stuck, it isn’t coming off. This also means you should move it out of your way so you don’t accidentally pick it up with your elbow.
3. Adhere the adhesive to the cardstock and set it aside.
4. Place the release sheet (or backing) off of the adhesive in front of you, upside down (the blue ECD logo should be face down on the table).
5. Carefully peel off your sticker and lay it upside down on the release sheet (sticky side up).
6. Make sure it is positioned how you like and that there are no “hitchhiker” pieces still attached. Licking your finger helps if the sticker sticks to your finger. Tweezers also come in handy for this process.
7. Take the cardstock with the adhesive on it and pull the other release sheet off (if still attached).
8. Lay it sticky side down on top of the sticker on the release sheet. Flip it over and remove the release sheet again.
9. Coat the sticky liberally with Elizabeth Craft Designs’ Silk Microfine Glitter in either Warm Diamond or Cool Diamond. NOTE: These are the only glitters I know of you can color on safely. Do not try this with traditional glitters.
10. Tap off the excess and polish it. You will see the sparkles intensify as it cements the glitter into the adhesive. This is the secret to it never coming off! If you find spots that are still sticky, add more glitter.
11. Grab an alcohol ink marker, like Copic or Colorista, and color away. Some water-based markers also work, but you need to let them dry overnight. If any glitter comes off on your pen, you need to stop and polish harder.
12. Now you can trim the rectangle with a paper trimmer, like I did in the Happy Birthday card at the top, or cut it out with scissors, like I did the ornament card.

Add a few layers of cardstock and/or patterned paper and a sentiment to turn the colored sticker into a stunning card. Your friends will be amazed at how elegant and beautiful the card looks — much like a stained-glass window — and you will love how easy it is.

Give it a try … I’m sure you’ll love it!

I Love Chickens

If you hang around me for more than 30 seconds, you will discover my love of poultry — especially chickens and turkeys.

I raise both in my backyard and any morning that does not have me running to work will find me outside watching them play while I enjoy my coffee, check my email and, on days like today, post to my blog. I always have a camera with me whenever I’m outside, although it usually just my iPhone, so I always have plenty of pictures of my beloved babies to share.

On this page, I opted to grab a few of my recent favorites to create a page all about my love of chickens. I used Chili Pepper Grid Paper, which is a little bit of an orange red. I used two different heart die sets from Mosaic Moments, but I “repurposed” one of them to make it look like I used three different sets.

And, of course, I made a video to show you how I did it …

Thanks for watching!

This post is sponsored by Mosaic Moments.