Tropical beach hut using Graphic 45 papers

Well friends this is the last of my Graphic 45 projects that I shared earlier. This one was so much fun. The papers really added so much to my earlier design.

Check out the lizard on top. Love him!

And when you open it up...

SO FUN!

Here is a close up of some of the pages.

My very favorite part is the palm trees!

I do need to add a little splash of color to the island area.. I just have not made up my mind on what I will add.

Here is a quick video where you can see the whole thing.

Hope you had as much fun looking at this project as I had making it. :)

Graphic 45 Design Team 2012 Audition

Well my crafty friends, I think I have a new obsession! I finally overcame my inhibitions for cutting into my Graphic 45 paper and now I am HOOKED! LOL


I know I am not the only one to confess that I tend to hoard designer papers. I pace them in my paper stacks and take them out to look at them every once in a while. They are so pretty that I don't want to cut them. Especially the beautiful Graphic 45 papers! After months and weeks of gazing at these beautiful papers, I decided it was time to cut. I am SO glad that I did! Not only did I enjoy making these creations using the Graphic 45 papers, I also love looking at my finished projects. (I took the plunge just in time to try out for the DT too) I will show them by paper collections. There will be more pictures and information about each project during the next week.  Take a look and let me know what you think. (This is a long post, but I promise you will want to see it all :)


Once Upon a Springtime 8 x 8 papers

This enchanted little fairy garden is a peek-a-boo card.

(You may recognize the archway. I used the same cut file that I made for my blog header sign :)

It is packed with whimsy and cuteness.

Of course I HAD to add some paper flowers!

This time I used my "small flowers" cut file and added gold micro beads to the center.

Then I added some of the gorgeousness Graphic 45 flowers from the Primrose Cottage paper.

I used the same small flowers in this desk calendar project.

I sent it to a friend in this lovely gift box that I topped with pearls and my handmade "open rose" and "5 point" flowers. 
I changed the format of my calendar pages slightly since I took those pictures. You can download the free printable here; Calendar

Then I moved on to the 12x 12...

Love's Labyrinth

I used my "Regal Rose" cut files for this tag. I make the cut files for the flowers, cut them out on neutral colored card stock with my Black Cat electric cutting machine, and ink them with Tim Holt Distress Ink. 

You can download a PDF copy of the tag layers. You can print them out to use as a pattern.

Come back tomorrow to get the free cut files.

Rounded Corners Tag PC

ABC Primer Collection

& Signature Series Core-dinations Paper

They look like old school books, but they are really boxes. The boxes would be great to hold mini-albums, craft supplies, or school supplies. Can't you just see these on the corner of a teacher's desk?

The Core-dinations papers have a white core and look great when sanded, embossed, or inked. Of course they are the perfect colors to match the other Graphic 45 sheets.

I bound them up with a cute little belt made from an embossed sheet from the Graphic 45 Signature Series. I used the buckle cut file that I made for my Tool Belt Card. The silver is from my pain patch packaging and slightly colored with alcohol inks. The buckle actually works and the belt can be easily removed.

Tropical Travelogue Collection

Here are a couple of lovely cards using these vivid Graphic 45 papers and more of my handmade flowers. The cut files for these flowers came from Penny Duncan. (she is great!)

Love the post card look that is so popular now.

I have saved the best for last.

You may remember my Beach Explosion Box from this summer. Well look at the new improved version using Graphic 45 papers! (I am getting so addicted to this line :)

Great little hut, huh?

Let's  take the lid off and take a peak inside...

LOVE these papers!

Here is a closer look at the pages.

The wave details were cut from more of the Signature Series Core-dinations paper, embossed, and sanded. The portion that was cut from the center is what I used for the corner decorations.

I used more of the S.S. paper for the island and palms.

You may recognize the palm trees from my "Where's Santa?" card from my guest designer spot for The Paper Dolls. 

Well thank you, friends, for sticking with me through my rantings. I also want to thank the Graphic 45 team for considering my application.

There was way too much goodness to share on this post. I will be showing more pictures and information about each of the projects throughout this week. I will also include some cut files, instructions, and even some videos. Hope you decide to come back.

Enjoy!

That's Hot Blog Hop

Welcom to the "That's Hot Blog Hop"!

Here is the line up in case you get lost.

(If you are just coming to my page, start the blog hop from the begining by going over to Yolie's page and hop along to all the wonderful pages along the way)

Yolie  - www.justyolie.com

Xochitl – http://cricutcritter.blogspot.com/
Tammy – www.tammyjennings.blogspot.com

Angie - www.angie-scrappinmemories.blogspot.com

Celeste – www.touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com

Debbie – www.scrappingmamma.net

Ann – www.annlenth.blogspot.com

Maria – www.mariaschulz.blogspot.com

Ashley – www.theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com      

Christel – www.onescrappinsista.blogspot.com   

Jani – www.papercompulsions.blogspot.com  You are here!

Sherry – www.cookiejarstamps.blogspot.com             

Monica – www.scraps2treasure.blogspot.com          

Melin  - http://www.cookingwithcricut.com/
Gaby - www.gabycreates.com



Well, when I think of "hot" I think "beach"

I made this adorable beach shack explosion box.

Here is the outside of the box.

I made it look like a beach shack.

seashells

the roof

I trimed all the edges with wave patterns that I made and cut out with my new Black Cat.

I could not resist adding a 3D sandcastle in the center.

Your next stop is Sherry at  www.cookiejarstamps.blogspot.com

Thank you for coming.
Hope you enjoy looking at all the other creations by these talented women.

Beach themed shape cards

Today I have some beach themed shape cards to share with you.

I took the images from the "Fun in the Sun" set that I made and made some fun shaped cards out of them.

Here is a sandcastle card.

It was a little plain all by itself so I added some shells and a starfish. I also added some flags for a little punch of color.

I always line the inside of my cards, but I usually forget to show it.

Lining them makes the card sturdier and gives the card a more finished look.

I learned a long time ago that if the lining was all one piece the fold of the card got really bulky.

I solved that problem by making  front and back liner pieces that attach desperately.

Up next is this adorable sand pail card.

The bottom of the card is rounded and I wanted to keep it that way so I added a shell and a sand pile to allow the card to stand up.

The shovel fits into a pocket on the front of the card and comes out.

Notice the sand piece "inside" the pail.

That could also be cut from blue paper and turned upside down where the smooth side is up to look like water.

This one is lined also. The lining also gives a clean surface to write on rather than the dark cardstock that the card is made from. Try lining your next card and see what a neat little touch it adds to your cards.

Up next is this cute little clam shell card.

It is attached together so that it opens up like a clam.

Of coarse, I could not resist adding a "pearl" to the center.

It does not show up in the picture, but the pearl piece is cut from a pearlized paper and looks really cool in person.

Wouldn't this be cute with a little strap for a "mermaid's purse :)

It would also make darling interactive pieces for a learning game.

For instance, a capital letter could be written on the inside and the separate pearl piece could be matched to it with the corresponding lowercase letter instead of being attached to the card.

Another example would be to write an addition or subtraction problem on the inside. Then the answer written on the pearl which could be matched to it.

(The elementary teacher in me is coming out. LOL)

I used to make stuff like this all the time. That is one of the things I miss most about teaching. Playing educational games with the students. I was constantly putting together cute little themed center activity games. ( I am thinking of starting another blog with kid's games like this posted. Let me know what you think. Of coarse I would still have this craft blog :)

Well I hope you like the cards.

Here is a link to download the clamshell card as a svg cut file and a pdf template.

http://www.box.net/shared/b1gafgjkv9t1yzjlig02

As soon as I finish instructions for the other cards ai am going to place them in my Etsy store as a Beach Themed bundle.

Happy crafting.