I hate being late!

Okay, so it's March 2nd and I'm just now posting my February projects.  I'd love to have some radical, excellent excuse, but I guess I'm just slacking!  :)

February's Paper Collection of the Month was Wild Saffron by K & Company.

This paper collection is available in a 12x12 paper stack, which is what I used on these projects.  You can see that by limiting the papers used on each project, you can vary the look.  Use just blue, green and one... use all the colors on another one... I still have a pile of papers with just yellow and brown that I plan on turning into an album at some point.  I love that I can get so many projects out of one simple stack of paper - so much fun!

This "Family Photos" album got a sophisticated look from beads and fabric flowers.

For a less formal look, a square album and fun picnic table accents were used in this Summer BBQ album.

A mixed shape album gets a warm feel with soft brown accents inks throughout the pages.  By keeping the color palette limited, a completely new look is created.  The pearl accents contribute to the worn and well-loved look of this "Home Sweet Home" album.

And for fun, this two page layout makes use of the mostly blue paper (for sky) and the mostly green paper (for grass) to give this an outdoorsy vibe.  Flowers and a happy sunshine complete the look.

Thanks for looking, and I'll try to be on time next month!  :)

Who Wrote the Book of Love?

I don't know who wrote the book of love, but this month I'm the one who made the book!  Here is a look at 3 love-themed albums I created this month.

This first one is an 8x8 paper bag album.  Chock full of pull-out tags, these albums are super fun to make because they are so interactive.  I think my favorite part is filling the pockets!

I also made this 6x6 tabbed acrylic album.  I just adore how this album came out.  The colors are so fun and it's somewhere in between elegant and funky!  This album is currently for sale in my etsy store.

And finally, I created this chipboard album.  The album base is by Bo Bunny and it spells out "I {HEART} YOU in cascading chipboard panels.  This is also currently for sale in my etsy store.

Thanks for checking out my love albums!  I'll be posting my February Paper Collection of the Month projects soon so be sure to check back for some great crafting ideas!

WISTERIA by Basic Grey: January Paper Collection of the Month

Here are FOUR projects I made using Basic Grey's Wisteria line of paper.  The lilacs and the soft green are just stunning together, and every time I used this paper I had to stop myself from drooling!

You can see how easy it can be to make unique projects, even using the same paper line.  In this case, to give each album it's own look, I varied the album base.  This first album is made of 7 chipboard panels (each measuring 7"x5") that I hand cut from 12x12 chipboard sheets.

It gives a nice work surface if you are new to albums, since each page is the same size. 

If you want more of a challenge, and a completely distinct look, I recommend using this multi-shaped album base by Basic Grey.  It consists of a variety of shaped panels and you can rearrange them to completely customize your album.  Here I added TONS of primas and leaves, along with a stunning beaded butterfly to give the album cover a wow factor.  Do you see the butterfly charm dangling from the top binder ring?

Finally, my fourth project to share is a tabbed acrylic album.  Acrylics are FUN!  I hesitated to try one for so long, but now I can't stop making them!  Half the fun is planning how each page is going to look... you can leave spaces on each page if you want to see the next one through the acrylic.

I have uploaded detailed photos of each project to a Picasa Web Album.  And I do mean DETAILD photos... I think there are 108 photos of these four projects, LOL! Simply click here to be taken to the web album.  Remember that I'm happy to provide you with inspiration and tips, and you may scraplift for your personal use, but please don't copy my work for resale. 

Before you go, be sure to become one of my Followers.  Next month I'll be sharing my projects using Wild Saffron by K&Company, which is another drool-worthy paper line.

Thanks for reading,

Erica  :)

2010!

I am embarassed to say that this is my first post of 2010 - it's already the 20th of January!  I wanted to let you know that I have some great things coming your way this year.  What are they?  Glad you asked!

First of all, I am going to be doing a "Paper Collection of the Month".  I'm one of those paper hoarders that buys everything in bulk!  Very rarely do I buy just a few sheets of a paper line.  That means I use a single paper line for multiple projects... and now I'll be sharing those projects with you all in one place!  I'm hoping you'll be able to take away an idea or two for how to use the same papers in different ways - be it on a mini album, a full 12x12 layout, cards, tags, mat sets, handmade embellishments... the list goes on and on. 

The January Paper Collection of the Month is Wisteria by Basic Grey.  I'll be posting my projects soon, so check back. Future Paper Collections of the Month will include: Nana's Kids Baby Boy by DCWV, Wild Saffron by K&Company, and Classic K Margo - also by K&Company.  And those are just a few!

I'm also hoping to re-organize my scrap area throughout the year, and will be sharing my progress and my organizational tips with you as I go.  And since I also have plans to relocate my scrap space, this could be very interesting (and messy!).  I hope you'll follow me throughout the year as I share these project ideas and tips with you.  Of course, I'll still be posting lots of photos of my eBay projects and custom orders, too.

So, I might be off to a late start, but - HEY - It's still a start!  Here's to the New Year! 

Smiles and Scraps,
Erica

Life Unscripted

Sometimes things aren't planned.  Sometimes we are just living our lives.  Those simple, joyful moments deserve to be preserved just as much as the special events and holidays that we experience.

That's why I created this album.  Titled "Life Unscripted", it's a perfect way to display photos of everyday moments.

Made from 7 scalloped acrylic panels, it's filled with the warm tones of autumn - maybe more like Indian Summer - with papers by GinX and Scenic Route.

The clear panels give a lighter feel to the album, making it feel more whimsical perhaps?  :)

I've used a variety of rub on phrases and designs in a contrasting black.  Clear rhinestone accents and subtle white inking around the page edges lend additional texture. It's hard to capture the inked edges on camera, but they are there!

If you decide to include ribbon on your own photo mats, always remember to position them toward the very edges of the photo mats.  That way, you don't risk covering someone's face with a big ol' bow.

And never forget to add journaling spots.  A picture might tell a thousand words, but a generation from now those words might be lost.  I've tucked 2 journal tags and an additional photo mat into a pocket on the last page of this album.  Cut from a printed transparency, it is stitched to the background paper.  I love how you can see through it into the pocket.

I have several more albums that I'll be sharing soon, including another stunning acrylic album.  Thanks for looking!

Shh... It's a Secret!

It's about time for a special deal for my blog readers. Throughout the month of November I am offering Free Shipping on all orders of $50 or more from my etsy store. You can get to my etsy store by clicking on the link on the right side of this page, or by going to http://www.cherishpaperart.etsy.com/.

If you haven't checked out etsy yet, you don't know what you're missing! It is THE online place for everything handmade and/or vintage.

Here are some things you can find in my store right now:

If you make a purchase, please send me a convo (etsy's fancy word for a message, LOL!) that you saw the free shipping special on my blog. I will adjust your invoice accordingly.

Thanks :)

Merry & Bright

It's November! The holiday season is officially upon us, can you believe it?!? Well, my most recent project for Everything Scrapbook & Stamps has certainly put me in the holiday spirit! I got to work with the new Bo Bunny "Tis the Season" collection of patterned papers.
The papers are colorful and fun, in true Bo Bunny style! I loved the bright green color - such a fresh take on the traditional forest green we usually think of at Christmas.This is a two page 12x12 layout using the Bo Bunny papers, red and light blue Bazzill cardstock, Poinsettias and leaves (also by Bazzill). I cut out a couple of cute snowflakes with a Kiwi Lane Designs template, which then I inked in a soft blue and accented with silver glitter. The title is cut with a Cricut using the Zooballoo cartridge.So now that I'm in a festive mood, it's time to start thinking about holiday shopping, LOL! With two little ones to buy for, the shopping can be really fun. :)I hope I've helped get you to start thinking about the holidays. Always remember to take LOTS of photos this time year ~ We couldn't be scrappers without them!