November Sketch Contest.

It's time for our November sketch contest here at AllyScraps. I asked Debbie Gaydos for a 2 page sketch this month... because I have SO many pictures that need a 2 page layout, but always have a tough time with them. So, since Debbie is so awesome, she agreed, and here is her awesome 2 page sketch for our November contest.



Of course I played with the sketch right away... and here is my layout.



Now, I know what you're thinking... this page doesn't look much like Debbie's original sketch. I guess you're right, BUT, I got inspiration where I needed it. If you look closely, the paper layout is just like Debbie's sketch. The picture placement didn't work for my pictures, so I chose my own placement. I also placed my journaling blocks where Debbie suggested. I'm telling you all this because I want to encourage you to use a sketch how you need to use it. If you'd like to make an exact match, then go for it! or just use it for picture placement, then we're glad you had that inspriation! or whatever feels right for you. Thank you Debbie, for your great sketch.

I used paper and embellies from Echo Park's Everybody Loves Christmas collection. I LOVE this paper collection, and I need more, more, more of it.

As usual, Cathy has given us an awesome prize for the sketch contest winner this month. 3 things!!! 2 packs of pre-made scrapbook pages from the WeRMemory Keepers Merry January line AND some pretty flocked lace too.





As usual, there are just a few rules for our sketch contest. Make a layout using Debbie's awesome sketch as inspiration. You can flip it, turn it, mirror image it... just use the sketch to inspire your layout. Finish your project and e-mail the image (less than 500 kb please)to us by Sunday, November 21st at midnight Eastern time. We will choose a winner soon after. Send it to allyscraps@gmail.com. Have fun and good luck.

Check back tomorrow, I have an absolutely special project to share with you from Jennifer Beason, hope to see you then.

~ Dana

October sketch winner! Congrats to Megan!!

Hi all, we have a winner, and it's Megan A.! She was chosen by the PageMaps team as the winner of our October sketch contest.

Here is the sketch by Becky Fleck.



And, here is Megan's awesome winning layout. Love that sweet picture and the cool title and stitching.



Super job Megan, you win a $35!! gift certificate to AllyScraps, and with so much new stuff in the store, you won't have any trouble spending it I'm sure.



A big thank you to Becky Fleck and Page Maps for hosting our October sketch contest. We're so happy to have had SO much participation. Check out the blog on November 1st for a brand new sketch contest, oh, and guess what? it's a 2 pager! See you this weekend for another awesome project by Jennifer Beason and Becky Fleck too.

~ Dana

BONUS sketch for October.

We love a bonus sketch at AllyScraps... and here is one for October from Becky Fleck. Love that it's a multiphoto sketch, super cute.



Of course you know that I'm always up for using a sketch, so here is what I came up with.



Supplies
Papers, stickers and tags by Cosmo Cricket, Togetherness

We still more projects from Becky and from Jennifer Beason this month, so be sure to check back. Oh, and the sketch contest winner will be posted on Friday too! Thanks for stopping by. Dana

ABC board by Becky Fleck

Becky Fleck is with us again, with this super neat ABC board. Wouldn't this be a cute gift for a child's room? Love how colorful it is, and all of the patterns are great too.



Supplies
Jillibean Soup patterned papers
Jillibean Sprouts, Pasta Fajoili, Monster Stew
Kaiser Craftgems
Maya Road mini pendant banner
12x12 chunk from a corrugated box

Thanks so much Becky. Be sure to check out Becky's site for lots more inspiration, and a treasure trove of awesome sketches.

Cathy's been busy putting up brand new scrappy stuff in the store. New products from WeRMemory Keepers, October Afternoon, Lily Bee Designs... and look for even more uploads of new stuff later this week.

~ Dana

Berry LOVE.

It's been such a pleasure to have Cari Fennell here with us at AllyScraps this month. She is such a great scrappy friend to me... and I've always loved her style. Here is a beautiful layout, Berry love, from Cari.



Instructions
Cari used pink patterned paper as her background, and added large strips of patterned paper from October Afternoon in the center of her page. All paper edges are distressed with an edge distresser tool and then inked with Vintage Photo Distress ink. Cut two square pieces of patterned paper to matte the photos, tying the green ribbon around the paper and make a bow. Cut two strips of cardstock and punch out scalloped edge using the punch. Adhere along the top and bottom of the square paper pieces. Add photos and journal card over paper layers. Glue die cuts together and adhere around photos. Add buttons to the die cut centers and hand cut leaves from green scrap paper or packaging material. Adhere gems and title to the layout.




Supplies:
October Afternoon Fly A Kite and Thrift Shop patterned papers
Sassafrass Lass patterned papers and die cuts
Jenni Bowlin Buttons
October Afternoon Fly A Kite Journal Cards
October Afternoon Fly A Kite Stickers
American Crafts Felt Thickers-Green
Green Ribbon
Gems
Large Scallop Punch

I'm sure that you'll want to check out Cari's blog for even more great projects and inspiration. Thanks so much Cari!

Enjoy your weekend, hope you'll be scrappin'. :) Dana

October sketch contest... last call!

Hi everyone! Last call for our October sketch contest, hosted over at Page Maps. The contest ends at midnight, Sunday, October 24th (MST), and it's open to everyone, everywhere. Please remember not to submit your layouts to AllyScraps... but follow the instructions right on the Page Maps blog. Here's the October contest sketch, thanks so much to Becky Fleck for the inspiration.



I sent the sketch to our awesome guest designer Jennifer Beason, and she was thrilled to work with it. Love her interpretation, so cute.





Ally Scraps Supplies
Graphic 45 Halloween in Wonderland Collection - Wonderland Classifieds
Cosmo Cricket, Togetherness Collection - Kite Strings
Cosmo Cricket Togetherness Collection - Borders
Cosmo Cricket Togetherness Collection - Pinwheels
Cosmo Cricket Togetherness Collection - 12" Chipboard
Cosmo Cricket Togetherness Collection - 6" Chipboard
Cosmo Cricket Material Tiny Type Stickers - Cream
Maya Road Mini Chipboard Set - Caroline Alphabet
Maya Road Trinkets Pins Leaf (Green)
Maya Road Trinket Pins - Leaf (Brown)
Maya Road Ribbon - Scallop Dot Ribbon - Green
Maya Road Ribbon - Scallop Dot Ribbon - Red
Maya Road Ribbon - Scallop Dot Ribbon - Yellow
Maya Road Ruffle Blossoms - Yellow
Maya Road Mini Chipboard Set - Butterflies
Pink Paislee Expressions Glitter Alphabets - Cherry

This prize this month is a goodie! A $35!! gift certificate to AllyScraps. One of our best prizes yet. :)



Can't wait to see your layouts, hope you have one in the works, but it's not too late to start now! Good luck! Dana

Spooky Suitcase

Remember our dear old friend Morag Cutts??? Well, she was SO sweet and sent us this amazing spooky suitcase to put on our blog. This project is just amazing, and sparkly and spooky all at the same time.





Instructions from Morag
1. Paint the suitcase black. Rub metallic paint over the straps and handles.
2. Paste vintage dictionary pages inside and distress.
3. Layer lots of the tags over the cases.
4. Distress playing cards cut from the Jabberwocky paper. Glue into place as shown.
5. Paint a chipboard arch. Distress with paints, inks and pastes.
6. Stamp various halloween images (Pink Paislee, Inkadinkadoo). Colour with Distress Inks

For the Pumpkin:
1. Shape a styrofoam ball using a round stylus.
2. Paint orange
3. Apply generous amount of PVA glue in an even layer.
4. Glitter and allow to dry.
5. Punch leaves from dictionary pages. Ink with Distress Inks. Spray with gold mist.
6. Create vines from twine. Glue into place as shown.






Supplies
Graphic 45 Halloween in Wonderland
Jabberwocky
Wonderland Classifieds
Die-cut Tags

Thank you SO much Morag, you're the best. Oh, and a big thanks to Morag for being our blog "go to person"... because you all know that I'm not too great with the techie kind of stuff.

Be sure to check back soon, as we'll have new projects from Cari Fennell, Jennifer Beason and yours truly. :) AND, we'll be doing a blog giveaway this week, so be sure to leave lots of comments. Dana

Snarky girlfriend card. :)

Love this funny card from Becky Fleck... she calls it a snarky girlfriend card, TOO funny!



Supplies
Kaiser red rhinestones
papers by Graphic 45
ivory cardstock

Instructions
1. Trim a piece of ivory cardstock to 7.5" x 8.5" and fold in half to form a 3.75" x 8.5" card.
2. Trim out the framed woman in a corset from a piece of Graphic 45 On the Boardwalk (By the Beautiful Sea) and trim off just below her hips.
3. From that same piece of paper, trim out four ticket stubs.
4. From that same piece of paper, trim a piece from the black patterned side 3.5" x 6.25". Adhere that piece to the top of the card, leaving approximately 1/16" of an inch of the base card showing on three sides.
5. Trim a 3.5" x 2.25" piece of Graphic 45 Le' Romantique (Celebration) and adhere it directly below the black patterned piece.
6. Adhere the framed woman in the corset along the seam where the two pieces of paper meet. Apply the smallest red rhinestones in place of the buttons on the corset.
7. From a scrap of ivory cardstock, trim an arched piece to mimic the top of the framed piece. Computer or hand journal "Girl, you so need the shoes to match." Adhere this piece directly below the framed woman.
8. Adhere the four red tickets across the seam where the two pieces meet, allowing the tickets to overlap.

Don't forget that we're hosting our October sketch contest on Becky Fleck's site, Page Maps. You can find all the details on Becky's blog... but here's the sketch in case you haven't seen it.



I did a layout based on the sketch, love how it came out!



Supplies
My Little Shoebox, Market collection
chickadee
flower patch
lovely lily
morning glory (flowers cut from this paper)
cardstock stickers

Thanks for checking out the blog this weekend, and thanks to Becky Fleck for the fun card and awesome sketch.

~ Dana

A big AllyScraps welcome to Jennifer Beason!!

We are so pleased to welcome Jennifer Beason to the AllyScraps family. I know that you'll be so excited to meet her and to see her amazing work!! Here's Jennifer.



"Hello everyone! My name is Jennifer Beason and I'm so thrilled to be a guest designer here at Ally Scraps this month. I have been paper crafting for about six years now. I like to scrapbook and make cards, but my true passion is creating altered projects. I am currently on the Maya Road design team which is a true blessing, not only for me but for my pocket book! :) If I had to classify my style I would say it's whimsical - I like my projects to make people smile. My three kids are my best inspiration and are always giving me tons of ideas."

Jennifer's first project is just adorable... an altered bat, just waiting to enjoy Halloween. She's given us amazing step by step instructions so you can make one for your house too.



instructions
1. Draw two wings on some chipboard, then cut them out.(See photo with "parts used to assemble bat.") Cover both sides of the wings with patterned paper, then use adhesive to glue some embroidery floss to the wings for some texture and a little definition. Set aside.
2. Next, cover two chipboard petals on both sides, to use as ears. Set them aside when done.
3. Then take a 6" paper mache egg and cut two slits at the top, just big enough for the ears to fit. Cut two slits on the side, for his wings and make two holes at the bottom of the egg for his legs. Note: You want the ears, wings and legs to fit as snug as possible.
4. Cover the egg with 1" strips of patterned paper. Trim away any of the paper that may have covered up your slits or holes.
5. Then cover your two dowels with patterned paper.
6. Now you have the main components of the bat done, you can begin piecing them together. Apply a little glue to the bottom of your bat's ears and push them into their slots. Then apply glue to the edges of each wing (the edge with the tab) and adhere to bat. Next apply glue at the top of each dowel then carefully push each one into the bottom of the egg. Set aside to dry.
7. To make the feet, cut a styro-foam ball in half. Use the bats legs to push two holes into the foam. Set the bat aside again, then cover the ball with a some Spackle Compound and allow to dry. Sand the ball to a smooth finish, then cover with patterned paper. Glue a decorative chipboard border (that has also been covered with patterned paper) to the base of the ball. When dry attach the bat to the ball / feet.
8. After painting the center of a Medallion Flower black, glue it between the bats ears. Partly cover some wiggly eyes with patterned paper and adhere in place. Next roll up a 2" wide piece of patterned paper, for the bat's mouth. Apply glue all over it, so it becomes easy to mold. Bend to shape and adhere it. Paint two mini bird wings white (these are the fangs) and when dry apply to the sides of the mouth.
9. Next use a recycled tape roll, or something else similar to create a base. To do this adhere some raw chipboard to the the top of the roll then trim away the excess. Then using cardstock, cut out a circle slightly larger than base and adhere the circle to the bottom of the base. (You should have a shape that kind of looks like a hat.)
10. Cover the top of the base and the sides with patterned paper. Then cut a zig-zag strip out of paper and attach it around the sides of the base. Use a scalloped border punch to make a thin border to go around the top of the base. Use the left over pieces (or negative pieces) to decorate the edges of the zig-zagged border.
11. After painting some crochet trim black, apply it around the bottom of the base then adhere some pleated trim around the edge of the cardstock circle.
12. Cut the heads of some Trinket Leaf Pins and use them to embellish the border along with some wiggly eyes.
13. Cover a chipboard birdcage with patterned paper, add rhinestone then use embroidery floss the to attach the "Trick Or Treat" chipboard piece to the bottom. Use some more embroidery floss to attach a hanging bead. Next add some wiggly eyes to the chipboard "boy in bat" costume. Then use a wired garland to hang both pieces form the bat's wings.








Ally Scrap Supplies:
BoBunny Press Whoo-ligans Collection, Dot
BoBunny Press Whoo-ligans Collection, Grrrr
BoBunny Press Whoo-ligans Collection, Rahh
BoBunny Press Whoo-ligans Collection, Spiders
BoBunny Press Whoo-ligans Collection, Stripe
BoBunny Press Whoo-ligans Collection, Batty
BoBunny Press Whoo-ligans Collection, 12x12 Chipboard
Maya Road, Leaf Trinket Pins (turquoise and green)
Maya Road, Medallion Flower (black)
Other Supplies:
Maya Road Borders Chipboard Sheet
Maya Road Mini Chipboard Set - Bird and Cages (for cage and fangs)
Maya Road Grosgrain Pleat Ribbon - Black
Maya Road Vintage Crochet Trim - Mini Ovals
Maya Road Chipboard Petals (ears)
Maya Road Trinket Beads
Fiskars Scalloped Border Punch
Craft Supplies:
6" paper mache egg, 2- 5 1/2" wood dowels, Mod Podge (matte) adhesive, embroidery floss, wiggly eyes, rhinestones, styro-foam ball, star garland and black marker.
Misc. Supplies:
Spackle Compound and recycled packing tape roll, cardstock or thin cardboard and raw chipboard.

Thank you SO much Jennifer, this project is amazing, and we can't wait to see what you come up with next. Enjoy your week! Dana

"Explore" mini album by Cari Fennell

I'm always amazed at what our fabulous guest designers at AllyScraps can do with a mini album!! Such creativity and inspiration. Check out Cari Fennell's mini album, titled let's go EXPLORE, it's so shabby, light hearted and FUN.



Cari's Instructions
I painted the album covers in green and set aside to dry. Then I cut larger rectangles from the OA papers-using random patterned papers from the Fly A Kite and Thrift Shop lines. Then I punched the edges of all the cut rectanlge pieces. I glued the flash cards to the papers and then ran them through my sewing machine to create pockets. I used a straight sticth with black thread. All of the paper edges were distressed and inked. I tucked some tags, envelopes and journal card in the pockets randomly. Then I layered the punched circles, journal cards and paper strips to embellish the pages. Each page is unique and offers lots of areas to place photos, journaling and little trinkets from your explorations.







Supplies
October Afternoon Fly A Kite and Thrift Shop papers
October Afternoon Thrift Shop Flashcard book
October Afternoon Mini Letter Alpha in green
Ocotber Afternoon Journal Cards, Fly A Kite
Maya Road Kraft Envelopes
Other supplies - Ribbons, Buttons, Sewing Machine, American Crafts thickers, Acrylic Paint-Adirondack Lettuce by Ranger, Distress Ink-Vintage Photo, scallop edge punch, circle punch, Shipping Tags by Avery and Bling.

Wow, wow, wow! This is so darn cute. Hope you will create one too. :)

~ Dana

Fall mini book by Melissa Phillips

Today, my daughter and I visited the local "applefest". The apples were amazing, the leaves are just turning to their beautiful fall hues... and I'm feeling all autumny. :) Seems like Melissa Phillips is too, because doesn't her fall mini book make you feel all warm and cozy??




Instructions:
1. Paint the top coaster of the chipboard leaf set with off-white acrylic paint. Let dry, sand lightly, and coat with white glitter. Set aside.
2. Trace the punched out leaf from the top coaster onto the paper that resembles the map. Cut out, adhere to the chipboard leaf, sand, and ink.
3. Adhere this leaf to a larger leaf coaster that has been traced and cut out from dark red paper. Sand the edges and ink to distress.
4. Embellish the layered leaves with a stamp die cut.
5. Embellish the top glittered coaster with a satin posy and metal rimmed tag with alphabet stickers spelling out “Fall”. Thread these two layers together using ribbon or twill.
6. Thread on a mini envelope with brown crocheted trim attached along the bottom edge, a folded over die cut tag, chipboard button, and resin flower.
7. Trace a chipboard pumpkin coaster onto patterned paper, cut out, adhere, sand and ink the edges.
8. Trace the bottom of the pumpkin coaster onto coordinating green paper and repeat the distressing techniques.
9. Attach a strip of trim across pumpkin, clear calendar, die cut, and pleated flower. Thread this coaster on next.
10. Trace a leaf coaster onto striped paper. Cut out, adhere, sand, and ink to distress.
11. Embellish the leaf with a clear calendar, vintage trim, pleated flower, and die cut tag. Thread this coaster on next.
12. To finish, thread on another mini envelope with a die cut tag folded over the center and embellished with a chipboard button and resin flower.
13. Apply rubons to accent each coaster.
14. Secure coaster and envelopes together by tying a bow at the top.









Supplies
Maya Road Chipboard Coaster, leaf
Maya Road Chipboard Coaster, pumpkin
Maya Road Satin Posies, cream and brown
Maya Road Resin Blossoms, cream
Maya Road Velvet Pleats, pumpkin & latte
Maya Road Crochet Trim, brown
Maya Road Vintage Crochet Trim, white lace
Maya Road Mini Sheer Set, Calendars Black & White
Graphic 45 Renaissance Fair Collection, Bona Fide Paper
Graphic 45 Renaissance Fair Collection, Triumphant Paper
Graphic 45 Halloween in Wonderland Collection, Alice’s Tea Party Paper
Graphic 45 Halloween in Wonderland Collection, Die Cut Tags
Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante Collection, Die Cut Tags
Graphic 45 Staples, Chipboard Buttons
Advantus Girls Paperie, On Holiday Collection, Paper Cuts
October Afternoon Thrift Shop Collection, Mini Market Stickers, Ledger
Pink Paislee Starlight Collection, Glow Paper
Melissa Frances Transfers, Months

Other supplies
Off-white acrylic paint
White glitter
Melissa Frances rubons
Vintage buttons
Tea stained envelopes, twill, and metal rimmed tag
Button twine
Vintage trim

Thanks so much Melissa, this is just gorgeous, and we enjoy your monthly project for AllyScraps SO much. By the way, I asked Melissa if she'd do a bow tying tutorial for us on the blog... and she said that YES, she would. :) Don't forget about our October sketch contest, posted over at the Page Maps blog, you still have time to do a layout based on this awesome sketch and the prize is just awesome.

Have a terrific weekend, we'll be back soon, with even more inspiration. Dana