Ally Scraps

Delicate Layout

2012-01-28T05:47:00.001-05:00

Today we have another layout from Cathy. This is Kaiser Craft paper and paper flowers. The canvas dress form (so cute!) is from Prima. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what all else is on this. Cathy worked on this particular page for oh, about 6 weeks. Sometimes it's hard to finish a page when there are too many choices! Have a great day. Linda

Recipe Box Class

2012-01-27T07:13:00.001-05:00

Good Morning. We have a new class available at Allyscraps. This is a paper mache recipe box, very sturdy in construction. I used Melissa Frances paper, along with Kaiser Craft paper and embellishments. This would make a great bridal shower gift, with some of your family recipes tucked inside. This class will be on Sunday, February 19th, at 1pm. You will receive everything you need to make this box. Please bring a basic tool kit, including a 12 inch trimmer, and ink or chalk for the edges. You will also need adhesive, and I recommend glue dots for the wooden embellishments. All classes must be prepaid. There are 5 spots available, and those 5 people will receive a 20% discount on any paper craft products they purchase the day of the class. Cost of this class is $20.00. Thanks for shopping with Allyscraps! Linda

Look what you're missing!

2012-01-26T07:27:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the store! We are inviting you to visit our Plainfield, IN. location and see all of the wonderful goodies. That is, all of the gift and home decor items besides the marvelous inventory of paper crafting products. Cathy and I have been very busy. If you are in the area, please stop in to say hello. Have a great day. Linda

Kaiser Craft Layouts

2012-01-25T16:18:00.002-05:00

Hi. We're back with some beautiful layouts by Cathy. She was inspired by a designer layout in a Kaiser Craft publication. This is one of the newer lines from Kaiser Craft in the store, along with those wonderful "wood" embellishments, and plenty of the paper flowers. Have you tried these yet? The colors are perfect. Each flower comes with a wire stem, so they can be used in so many different ways. I hope these will help kick start your creative juices today. Have fun, and thanks for stopping by. Linda

Kaiser Craft Mini Album

2012-01-19T17:50:00.003-05:00

We (as in Cathy and I) at Allyscraps love Kaiser Craft products. The papers are gorgeous, the embellishments inspiring, and the hard board die cuts they sell are very easy to work with. This is a tag album. It comes with the tags attached to one another. You simply snap the pieces apart, and sand off the little "nubbies" of extra hard board. I did a base coat of white craft paint, then adhered the papers and embellishments with regular glue runner. This is a girlfriend album, kind of tongue in cheek. I used some stamps from my own personal stash, but the papers are from Kaiser Craft. Thanks for stopping by. Linda

Thinking outside the box

2012-01-16T13:42:00.000-05:00

Hi. We're back. It's been awhile, and I do apologize. Is this the time of year you get creative? When the snow is blowing and it's just too cold outside to do anything, do you take out the supplies and play? We've been in high gear, making cards, layouts, and some altered art. Today I want to share a Graphic 45 decoration. One of the reasons I love their papers and embellishments is there is so much you can do with it. I found a small, wooden box at a discount store that I immediately saw as a frame. The box was painted black with Folk Art, but you could use any good quality craft paint. That happened to be what I had on hand. I let the paint dry overnight. The Oz papers are just so easy to work with, that this arrangement just fell into place. Very simple. Flowers and the saying, "There is no place like home" are from the chipboard embellishments. I used the 8x8 inch paper pad. Thanks for stopping by, and I'll be back later this week with some amazing layouts from Cathy. She has outdone herself! Linda

Christmas Layouts

2011-12-18T10:12:00.001-05:00

Good Morning! The above layouts and card were the last class of the year at the store. Cathy designed these, using embellishments from K & Co. The blue card stock is Bo Bunny. We are using this line quite a bit. One side is dot to dot design, the other is a shaded solid. Very versatile. The ribbon is also from Bo Bunny. Hope you are all ready for the holidays. I am not quite there yet...but I will be! Have a great day. Linda

New Christmas Cards

2011-12-13T13:04:00.001-05:00

Good Afternoon. It is a dark and gloomy day here in central Indiana. Good day to stay in and work on some Christmas cards. Cathy designed the above cards, using some of the new felt embellishments in the store. Let us know what you think. If you have yet to make some cards for friends or family, maybe this will be the inspiration to get started. (I need to start!) Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by. Linda

Christmas Layouts by Cathy

2011-12-11T09:32:00.001-05:00

Today we have some new Jillibean paper layouts from Cathy. These Christmas papers are softer in color, but a lot of fun to work with. Have a great weekend. Are you ready for the holidays? Linda

The Birthday Bag

2011-12-07T05:45:00.001-05:00

Good Morning! Kathy Belcher is joining us as a class instructor at Allyscraps, and isn't this adorable? This is a birthday gift bag. Once you learn the basic technique, you could make these darling bags for absolutely any occasion. This class will be on Sunday, January 18th, at the store at 1pm. The cost is $12, and as always, all classes must be prepaid. We are trying to line up a variety of projects to chase away those winter doldrums after the holidays. Come in to Allyscraps and see what is available! The list of what you will need for this class will be posted in the store. Thanks for stopping by. Linda

Graphic 45 School Box

2011-12-05T09:52:00.001-05:00

Want to start the New Year off on a creative foot? Due to popular demand, I will once again be teaching the class on the Graphic 45 ABC Primer box on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at the store. The cost is $20, and the class must be prepaid. Class starts at 1pm and will last 2 hours. A basic kit is required. Join us and have some fun! Thanks, Linda

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

2011-12-05T06:19:00.001-05:00

Looking for something a little different this year? This project would make a great centerpiece on your holiday table. The best part is you can fill the sleigh with whatever you like to enhance your entertainment plan.This is the sleigh from Kaiser Craft, made of a hard, pressed wood like material. It comes to you in five easy pieces to assemble. I do recommend using a little tacky glue on each piece as you snap it together. I primed the entire sleigh in acrylic white paint (craft paint), intending to do a white and silver sleigh at first. Changed my mind! The gold is Ranger's gold paint dabber. I used a paint brush to apply the gold, and it covered in one coat. Love the burnished look.The Christmas paper is also from Kaiser Craft, except for solid red card stock on the back. The grapevine wreath was purchased at Hobby Lobby. A little greenery from my stash, and baker's twine from the store. To get the shape right on the sides, I used a plain piece of printer paper and ran a finger along the edges to make an imprint. I then cut the paper out, double checking for the size and shape. I traced it in pencil onto the Kaiser paper, and cut it out.For adhering the paper to the sleigh, I used a matte medium gel which can be found in the art section of any hobby type store, but any good quality liquid adhesive will work. The trick is to make sure you have adhesive all the way to the edge of the paper.If you have not tried any of the Kaiser Craft pieces before, you are in for a treat. This material is super easy to work with, takes paint or ink very well, and the paper adheres beautifully. Cathy has a variety available in the store and online. If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I'll reply as soon as possible. Thanks for stopping by! Linda

We're Having a Baby

2011-11-29T11:33:00.001-05:00

I just love these layouts! Cathy did this for the mom-to-be, using Karen Foster pagers and embellishments. Black card stock is the base, but she added some white Cat's Eye on the edges. So cute! Thanks for stopping by. Did everyone have a great Thanksgiving? We sure did. Linda

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T09:11:00.001-05:00

We would like to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy this day. Cathy and Linda

Christmas Box

2011-11-23T07:33:00.001-05:00

The new Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium papers are now available at Allyscraps! I was inspired to create this Graphic 45 5x5 box by Jen Lowe Designs on YouTube. Gotta love the internet. There is so much talent out there. I primed the box first with Americana Santa Red paint. I've had this color for a few years, so I'm not sure if it is still available, but it wouldn't be hard to find a red that you like. The box then sat overnight to make sure it was completely dry. The front cover pieces are in a miter cut. Like that little lamp post? It's from Prima, and I used craft paint to color it (comes out of the package white), then when it was dry, added a final coat of Ranger Glossy Accents. I also used Glossy Accents to glue the lamp post to the box and weighted it down with two punches for an hour. Wanted to make sure it was on there and would stay put. For the double sided mini album inside the box, I used Bo Bunny dark green dot card stock, alternating with one of the Graphic 45 designs. There are 2 pockets, and I used the small gift tags from a sheet of Graphic to create my own tags. Red and white baker's twine completes the tags. Hope you like it. I had a great time putting this together. Everyone have a safe and delicious Thanksgiving. Linda

The video on YouTube does not show how she did the box, simply the finished product. Start by painting the box in red, letting it dry overnight. To miter the paper for the covers, cut 2 strips 5 inches long by 1 1/4 inches wide (please check that, my box is at the store!). Hold one piece horizontally, one piece vertically, and line up the edges. You cut from the bottom corner to the top corner, and have a perfect miter every time. I used Ranger's Glossy Accents to make the windows shine in the window shopping picture. Let that dry overnight as well, as it will remain tacky for hours. Other than that, it's simply what you want it to be. Have fun! Linda

New Cards

2011-11-21T14:17:00.001-05:00

Cathy has been busy making new samples for the store. The cards she created using the flower kit and papers from Little Yellow Bicycle. The bingo cards are from Jenni Bowlen. I apologize for the poor photographs, but we have not had any sunshine in days, and I wanted to get something new on the blog. Anyway, the flowers just pop off the front of the cards. They would be great for a birthday or thinking of you type card, too! Everything is available from Allyscraps. Thanks for stopping by. Linda

Graphic 45 School Box

2011-11-14T12:01:00.001-05:00

I love working with the new Graphic 45 chipboard box. And one of my favorite Graphic paper lines is the ABC Primer collection. This was a recent class at the store. We had a great response for this, so hopefully we can do another project along these lines again. You will need 6 sheets of Graphic 45 ABC Primer paper to do this, 2 of the paper with the ruler. I used the "addition/subtraction" sheet for the sides. All of the edges were inked after the paper was placed. Several of the ladies in class added a ribbon tie to theirs, placing the end of the ribbon underneath the paper on the front and back. Have a great, creative day and thanks for stopping by. Linda

Cards

2011-11-12T07:07:00.003-05:00

We had a card class a few weeks ago at the store. It was a lot of fun, and everyone was happy with these three ideas. Products used were: Glitz Vintage Blue paper for the two blue cards, Reminisce Santa paper, kraft paper, baker's twine, and bling. The stamps for the holly leaves, post card and Merry Christmas are from Tim Holtz. We used Graphic 45 ABC Primer paper and stamps for the school days card, along with card stock. Have a great day! Linda

We're Back!

2011-11-11T15:10:00.001-05:00

It has been awhile, but hopefully we will be publishing on a regular basis. Today we have a mini album done with the Maya Road large tags and Fancy Pants paper. I also added two of the Maya Road mini envelopes. They are such fun to work with. All of the edges were inked with Cat's Eye Chestnut Roan, one of our favorites at the shop.If you're in the area, please stop by Allyscraps at the new location: 1217 E Main St in Plainfield, IN. The store is open Wednesday through Friday, 10am to 6pm, and Saturdays 10am to 5pm. There are samples everywhere! Cathy and I have been very busy.Thanks for stopping by.Linda

so precious.

2011-08-07T20:21:00.000-04:00

Beatriz Jennings has one last project to share with us this month, a beautiful card and tag set... so precious! :) I love every little detail, and I'm always so amazed at the beautiful bows she creates for her projects!

Tag Supply list
Pink paislee Sweetness Collection, Love Blooms
Pink paislee, Artisan Elements
Glitz Design Love Nest, Stickers

Step by step instructions
1. Cut a piece of cardstock and adhere paper, paint edges of tag, machine stitch, cut artisan element in half
2. Tie a bow around tag, adhere artisan element and adhere sticker, apply rub ons on the top right corner of tag
3. Adhere buttons and flower.

Card Supply List
Melissa Frances 5th Avenue Collection, Essie and Ebony
Pink paislee Sweetness Collection, Love Blooms
Pink Paislee Artisan Elements
Kaiser Kraft Le chateau, Rubons

Step by step instructions
1. Make card from cardstock and cover with Essie paper, tie ribon around card, cut flowers image and adhere to card.
2. Cut ebony paper and add a piece of lace on one side adhere on the bottom of card and machine stitch
3. Adhere artisan element . Cut a piece of cardstock and apply rub ons adhere to card, finish with flower and buttons.

Thanks so much Bety! I'm sure we'll enjoy much more of your gorgeous work in the future. Have a great week. Dana

Wedding guest book.

2011-07-31T22:43:00.000-04:00

We're very happy to have Linda Albrecht back at AllyScraps, it's been too long! Linda created a beautiful wedding guest book for us, just in time for wedding season. She's left room on every page for people to sign their names, so be sure to add a beautiful pen if you make this for a gift. :)

Instructions
1. Prep chipboard album by painting with acrylic paint. Once dry lightly sand the edges to distress.
2. Measure and cut papers to fit the outside & inside of the album cover.
3. Apply alphabet stickers to the outside front cover to say, "Our Wedding guests" then apply Mod Podge or other sealer to protect the outside of the album.
4. Prepare individual pages by adhering papers to each. Place a patterned paper along the side with the punched holes and a solid paper on the opposite side. Lightly sand outside edges of the pages as desired.
5. Distress the edges of 4x6" photos using sandpaper and an exacto knife.
6. Adhere a 4x6" photo to each page on the patterned paper side and near the punched hole edge so that there is room for guests to sign along the outside and around the photos.
7. Use a die-cutting machine to cut flower pieces from papers and layer onto some of the pages near the photos. Distress flowers with sandpaper and add a button to the center.
8. Print miscellaneous words and phrases onto cardstock, cut into word strips, distress edges with sandpaper then adhere to pages as desired.
9. Add laces and trims to pages near the photos and thread button holes with string and adhere along the lace strips as desired.
10. Add a Maya Road Trinket pin to a cluster of flowers, adhere pearls or buttons to trims and add velvet petals to flowers as desired.

Supplies
Maya Road Vintage Crochet Trim- Bubble Dots- White
Maya Road Trinket Pins- Leaf brown & turquoise
Maya Road Organza Roses- cream
Crate Paper Eclectic Buttons- "Emma's Shoppe Collection"
Cosmo Cricket Buttons- Salt Air
Cosmo Cricket - Upcycle Collection- "Re-Found"
October Afternoon- Thrift Shop Collection paper- "Still in Box"
Basic Grey Hello Luscious Collection papers- Blissful, Yumberry, Dazzling, Inviting, Succulent, Scrumptious
Maya Road Chipboard Album
Other: Acrylic paint, alphabet stickers, miscellaneous flowers & stickers, solid color cardstocks, velvet leaves, lace, ribbons, & trims

Thanks so much to Linda, for being one of our favorite guest designers. Have a great week! Dana

so lovely...

2011-07-23T09:25:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone, glad to be back on the blog after a short vacation to New York City... boy was it HOT there! While I was away, I received this beautiful project from Beatriz Jennings in my inbox, such a pretty card!

Step by Step Instructions
1- Make a card from cardstock, round egdes and adhere papers
2- Paint edges of card, machine stitch , cut a circle chipboard and cover with paper tie a bow and set aside
3- Adhere october afternoon piece of paper and cut out girl image, adhere to card
4- Adhere artisan element from pink Paislee, add circle chipboard, sticker, flower and buttons, add rub ons.

Supply list
Melissa Frances 5th Avenue Essie
Melissa Frances 5th Avenue Ebony
Pink Paislee artisan elements
October afternoon Fly a kite paper fireflies
Glitz design stickers love nest collection titles
Kaiser Craft Le chateau black rub ons

Thanks Bety, for your lovely project. Check out Bety's blog for lots more eye candy, and we can't wait to see what she comes up with next! Have a great weekend. Dana

Love and cherish mini book.

2011-07-11T09:01:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Beatriz Jennings is back with us this week, with this super gorgeous mini book, filled with quotes and pretty embellishments. Every page is a masterpiece on it's own, but all together it's stunning! Enjoy.

Instructions
1- Paint chipboard pages with different colors of acrylic paint, let dry sand and distress edges.
2- Cover pages with different types of paper/stickers and paint.
4- Embellish pages with rub ons, ribbon, stickers , flowers
and buttons.
3- Once you finish all your pages, tie ribbon on the front page and put together with metal rings.

Supplies
Maya Road chipboard album flower edge layer book
Maya Road satin posies
Pink Paislee Artisan elements
Glitz Design Love nest cardstock stickers titles
Pink paislee sweetness collection 12 x 12 paper Love blooms
Kaiser craft Le chateau collection colored rub ons and black rub ons
Melissa Frances paper Essie and Ebony
Basic Grey paper Hello Luscious collection
October afternoon Fly A kite collection paper Fireflies

Thanks so much Beatriz! Be sure to check out Beatriz Jennings' blog, where you will find so many more lovely projects and wonderful inspiration. Have a great week.

~ Dana

Happy Summer Days.

2011-07-04T23:31:00.001-04:00

Daniela Dobson is back with her final project for the month! A big Ally Scraps THANK YOU to Daniela! She has really wowed us with her beautiful projects, and this layout is no exception. So clearly summery, with its bright colors and fun design.

Instructions
1. Cut Quilt patterned paper to 8 ½ x 11”
2. Cut white cardstock to 8 x 10 ½” and round all corners. Adhere to the base patterned paper.
3. Cut a 2” strip of Borders and Die Cut patterned paper and layer across the middle. Add a cloud border sticker. Embellish with sticker phrases.
4. Adhere photos and add a green border sticker under the photo strip. Add sticker to each side of the photo strip and add buttons.
5. Adhere three banner stickers to the top of the page and “Summer Days” sticker to the bottom right.
6. Make flower from strips of tissue paper, chipboard doily and a button and adhere to the page.
7. Add journaling and tie twine as shown.

Supplies
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Quilt
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Borders
Echo Park Summer Days collection, Die Cut
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Element Stickers
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Alpha Stickers
Cosmo Cricket Salt Air Collection, Buttons
Cosmo Cricket Upcycle collection, Butterflies & Doilies
Pink Paislee Soiree collection, Printed Tissue
Other Supplies: twine, white cardstock, corner rounder

Be sure to stop by Daniela's blog, it's filled with even more beautiful projects. Hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekend, have a great week! Dana

Happy Day.

2011-06-29T22:42:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone. It's a "Happy Day" here, now that we're all on summer vacation. I'm loving some time off with my family. :) Here at Ally Scraps, we're really enjoying having Daniela Dobson here with us for the month. She makes the lovliest cards, check out these super cute ones that she's made just for us.

Instructions
1. Make a 4 ¼ x 5 ½” card from cardstock.
2. Cut patterned paper slightly smaller than the card front, ink edges and adhere .
3. Adhere doily to the top of the card.
4. Make a pinwheel from patterned paper, adhere to the card and add a flower to the center.
5. Add flower border sticker to the bottom and and spell “Happy Day” with letter stickers.
Supplies
Cosmo Cricket Upcycle collection, Repeat
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Scene
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Alpha Stickers
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Element Stickers
Maya Road Ruffle Blossoms
Other supplies
cardstock, doily, toffee ink

Instructions
1. Make a 4 ¼ x 5 ½” card from cardstock.
2. Cut patterned paper slightly smaller than the card, paint edges and adhere to the card.
3. Cut patterned paper to 3 ¾ x 5” and punch a border at the bottom. Paint edges and adhere.
4. Paint edges of chipboard frame and adhere.
5. Cut strips from patterned paper to make a flower. Adhere to center of chipboard frame with foam adhesive.
6. Adhere doily and a button to the flower center.
7. Adhere die cut border to the bottom of the card.
8. Tie twine in a bow. Add two butterflies and spell “hello” with letter stickers.
Supplies
Basic Grey Hello Luscious Collection, Succulent
Basic Grey Hello Luscious Collection, Blissful
Cosmo Cricket Upcycle Collection, Repeat
Cosmo Cricket Upcycle Collection, Butterflies & Doilies
Cosmo Cricket Salt Air Collection, Buttons
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Alpha Stickers
Maya Road - Ornate Tags Chipboard Set
Pink Paislee Hometown Summer Collection, Border Stickers
Other supplies
cardstock, twine, paint, border punch, foam adhesive

Have you checked out Daniela's blog lately?? It ROCKS, so many pretty projects there.

Check back here soon too, I'm expecting awesome projects from Linda Albrecht and Beatriz Jennings! :) Take care, Dana

2011-06-25T22:44:00.000-04:00

Beatriz Jennings is back, with this lovely altered Bingo card. I love that it's so pretty and feminine.

Instructions
1- Distress Ink edges of Bingo Board. Tie ribbon around paper and adhere to bingo board.
2- Add some lace and embellish with flowers and buttons.
3- Add artisan elements, rub ons and sticker.
4- Add ric rac, buttons and adhesive pearls.

Supply List
Melissa Frances bingo card
Pink Paislee Artisan Elements
Melissa Frances Essie paper
Kaiser Craft Le chateau collection rub ons
Glitz Design Love Nest cardstock stickers

Thanks so much Bety, this is beautiful!. Be sure to check out Bety's blog for even more inspiration! See you soon, Dana :)

June sketch winner announced!

2011-06-22T13:39:00.001-04:00

A BIG congrats goes out to Shellye, the winner of our June sketch contest. The challenge was to make 2 cards based on this awesome sketch by Debbie Gaydos.

Here are Shellye's two super cute cards, they are so adorable.

Shellye wins both of these lovely 6 x 6 pads from Fancy Pants. Perfect for avid card makers. :)

It was SO hard to pick a winner this month for our sketch contest. Wow, there are some tremendous card makers out there. Congratulations to everyone who participated.

Check back later this week, for a super cute project from Beatriz Jennings. :) Dana

Summer Days...

2011-06-19T13:18:00.000-04:00

There are some artists who make amazing, wonderful mini-albums... and obviously Daniela Dobson is one of those artists. Love this mini-album of her son on vacation. Love that it's so joyous. :)

Instructions
1. Cover each note card with a strip of patterned paper.
2. Embellish the front of the album with stickers, letter stickers, chipboard and a flower. Add twine and tie in a bow.
3. Add embellishments and photos to the inside pages.
4. Tie pages together with seam binding. Add a button with a twine.

Supplies
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Quilt
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Big Dots
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Alpha Stickers
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Chipboard Accents
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Element Stickers
Cosmo Cricket Salt Air Collection, Buttons
Cosmo Cricket Upcycle collection, Butterflies & Doilies
Maya Road Ruffle Blossoms
Other supplies
Note cards, Martha Stewart twine, My Mind’s Eye Stamp, Seam Binding, Clearsnap ColorBox Pigment Ink – Canary.

Be sure to check out Daniela Dobson's blog, it's full of wonderful creations. Happy Father's Day to all. See you soon, Dana

P.S. Don't forget that today is the last day to enter our June sketch contest, info here! June Sketch contest.

A big AllyScraps welcome to Daniela Dobson!

2011-06-14T13:16:00.000-04:00

We are so pleased to welcome Daniela Dobson as a special guest designer here at AllyScraps. We've admired her work for a long time, and we are so happy to have her with us. Here is Daniela, I'll let her tell you a little about herself.

"My name is Daniela and I live in Dallas, TX. I am married to Peter and we have a little boy, Alex, who is 3 years old. He keeps me busy and my days are filled taking care of him. I have been scrapbooking and stamping for over 8 years. I really enjoy challenges and strive to be innovative. I love recording every day moments, especially now, with my son. I am a night owl and I stay up way too late creating. I love patterned paper and I am a collector of things, stamps in particular, they are everywhere. When I am not crafting I can be found spending time with my two boys, watching reality TV, cooking or reading."

You are My Sunshine card
instructions
1. Make 3 ½ x 5 ½ “ card from green cardstock.
2. Cut a strip of patterned paper to 2 ¾ x 4 ½ “. Adhere a strip of border punched patterned paper to each side.
3. Adhere tissue paper to the bottom of patterned paper. Distress the edges with scissors. Adhere to the front of the card.
4. Machine stitch four doilies over the bottom seam.
5. Tie twine to chipboard shape and adhere to the card.
6. Adhere sun and two butterflies.
Supplies
Cosmo Cricket Upcycle collection, Repeat
Cosmo Cricket Upsycle collection, Butterflies & Doilies
Echo Park Summer Days collection, Rainbow
Echo Park Summer Days collection, Chipboard Accents
Pink Paislee Soiree collection, Printed Tissue
Other Supplies
Twine, sewing machine, Bazzill Basics Paper cardstock, Fiskars border punch

The Grass is Greener with YOU card
Instructions
1. Make a 5 x 5” card from green cardstock.
2. Cut a piece of patterned paper to 4 ¾ x 4 ¾” and adhere to the card front.
3. Cut sun sticker in half and adhere to the top edge of the card
4. Adhere green border sticker to the bottom of the card.
5. Adhere two flowers and add a button tied with twine to flower centers.
6. Adhere sentiment sticker and tie twine around the front of the card.
Supplies
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Scene
Echo Park Summer Days Collection, Element Stickers
Cosmo Cricket Salt Air Collection, Buttons
Other supplies
Martha Stewart green twine, Bazzill Basics Paper cardstock

Thank you so much to Daniela for her lovely cards!! Be sure to check out her blog, and enjoy. Dana

Getting creative with a sketch.

2011-06-10T11:07:00.000-04:00

When I asked Roree Rumph to do a card based on this month's contest sketch, I expected something fabulous. What I did not expect what this project! A tag banner with each tag based on the sketch, how creative.

Here is June's contest sketch, for cards (or projects!) by our own Debbie Gaydos.

Roree is always so great about giving us easy to follow instructions for her projects... here they are.

Instructions
1. Paint the chipboard coasters with white acrylic paint, multiple coats, and let dry. Distress the edges with a file. Then, punch a hole in the left corner of each of the coaster to match the one on the right.
2. Cut out three patterned paper panels (blue, pink, and orange) to 3 3/4 x 2 3/8" for the base of each coaster. Distress the edges with file, Hand sew cross stitches at the corner of the pink and blue patterned paper panels with green embroidery thread, and adhere the panels to the coasters.
3. Add a double row of machine stitching around the patterned paper panels on each coaster with orange thread.
4. Cut out three patterned paper panels (blue, pink, and orange) to 1 3/4 x 2 1/8". Add a 1 3/4 x 3/4" strip of another pink patterned paper to the lighter pink patterned paper panel. Distress the edges with file, round the corners, and adhere the panels to the coasters.
5. Using the Cricut Expression 2 and Just a Note cartridge, cut out two flowers (at 3 1/2" and 3 3/4") and a circle (at 3 1/2") from the pink and heart patterned papers, and two butterflies (at 4") and swirl (2 1/2") from the green and heart patterned paper.
6. Hand cut the flower stem and leaf from green patterned paper, and the banner shapes from blue and heart patterned paper.
7. Layer the shapes, sew on buttons with green, yellow and orange embroidery thread, and adhere the shapes to the coasters.
8. Add brads to the corrugated Kraft letters, and adhere the letters to the coasters.
9. Thread the coasters with green ribbon, knot the ends, and trim off the excess.

Ally Scraps supplies
Maya Road Chipboard Postage Stamp Coaster
Echo Park Playground Collection, Capture the Flag
Echo Park Playground Collection, Hide & Seek
Echo Park Playground Collection, Merry Go Round
Echo Park Playground Collection, Tag Journaling Cards
Echo Park Playground Collection, Heads Up Seven Up
Echo Park Playground Collection, Red Rover
Echo Park Playground Collection, Jump Rope
Jillibean Soup Corrugated Alpha, Kraft
Pink Paislee Soiree Collection, Twine
Cosmo Cricket Salt Air Collection, Buttons
Other supplies
Ribbon, brads, green and orange embroidery thread, white acrylic paint, corner punch, hole punch, sewing machine and orange thread

Thanks soo much to Roree for being with us again this month. She is so amazing and so wonderful to work with, we always feel honored to have her wonderful projects on our blog! Roree's blog is filled with even more projects to inspire you, hope you will take a look.

Have a great weekend. Dana

PS If you'd like to enter our June contest based on Debbie's sketch, take a look here. :)

oh happy day.

2011-06-06T10:27:00.000-04:00

Do you make many cards?? I haven't made any in a while, but the beautiful cards that Roree Rumph makes has been inspiring me to start cardmaking again! Take a look at her newest creations, 2 cards that are so cute and adorable.

Hi card
1. Make a 4 x 5 1/2" card from a coordinating cardstock. Cover the front with the blue patterned paper, and distress the edges with a file.
2. Cut out a thin strip from the heart patterned paper and a thin strip from the orange patterned paper (scalloping one edge with decorative scissors), and adhere the strips to the card. Hand sew and 'x' pattern on the card with the pink/yellow twine, and tie a bow. Trim the ends.
3. Cut out the pink journaling spot from the journaling tag patterned paper, cut it in half on an angle, and adhere the pieces to each side of the card.
4. Machine sew the journaling spot halves on the outside edge with orange thread and a decorative stitch. Hand sew French knots at the center of each stitch, alternating with yellow, blue, and green embroidery thread.
5. Sew a button onto the balloon sticker, and adhere it to the card.
6. Adhere the corrugated Kraft letters 'hi" to the card to finish.

Oh happy day card
1. Make a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4" card from a coordinating cardstock. Cover the front with the blue patterned paper, and distress the edges with a file.
2. Cut out four thin strips from the orange patterned paper, and adhere them around the outside edges of the card. Trim the ends.
3. Cover two of the cupcake chipboard tops with the heart patterned paper, distress the edges with a file, and adhere the chipboard to the card.
4. Punch out three circle from the circle patterned paper, and machine sew around the outside edges with a sewing machine and coordinating thread. Then, machine sew three triangle shapes with the coordinating thread and white section of the circle patterned paper. Sew a coordinating button onto each circle, adhere the stitched triangle to the bottom, tie with blue/white twine, and adhere the balloon shapes to the card.
5. Adhere the alphabet stickers to scrap pieces of patterned paper to spell 'oh' and 'happy', and machine sew around the outside edges with green thread. Trim off the excess patterned paper, and adhere the words to the card.
6. Adhere the corrugated Kraft letters 'day' to the card to finish the sentiment, and layer and adhere two heart stickers to the center of the 'a'.

Supplies
Echo Park Playground Collection, Capture the Flag
Echo Park Playground Collection, Double Dutch
Echo Park Playground Collection, Tag Journaling Cards
Echo Park Playground Collection, Heads Up Seven Up
Echo Park Playground Collection, Element Sticker
Echo Park Playground Collection, Alpha Sticker
Jillibean Soup - Corrugated Alpha, Kraft
Maya Road Mini Chipboard Set, Cupcakes
Pink Paislee Soiree Collection, Twine
Cosmo Cricket Salt Air Collection, Buttons
Yellow, green, and blue embroidery thread - DMC
Sewing machine and orange, yellow, green, and red thread
Decorative Scissors - Provo Craft
File - Basic Grey
1" circle punch - EK Success

Be sure to check out Roree's blog, it's filled with TONS of gorgeous cards to inspire you! Also, have you checked out our June sketch contest?? it's a CARD sketch. :) Enjoy the sunshine. Dana

June SKETCH contest... with a twist. :)

2011-06-02T23:15:00.000-04:00

It's time for our June sketch contest, and we're going to try something new! How about a sketch for all of you card makers?? Here it is, our awesome June contest sketch from Debbie Gaydos.

Our prize is designed for card makers too, TWO 6x6 papers pads from Fancy Pants. The winner will get BOTH Beach Babe and Beach Bum.

To change things up a little, you need to made TWO cards. One using the sketch above as it is, a second one using the sketch mirror image, backwards or upside down... you decide. Finish your project and e-mail the image (less than 500 kb please)to us by Sunday, June 19th at midnight Eastern time. We will choose a winner soon after. Send your cards to allyscraps@gmail.com. Have fun and good luck!

Dana

treasure...

2011-05-30T22:20:00.001-04:00

We're SO happy to welcome Beatriz Jennings back to AllyScraps!! Her projects are always so gorgeous, and this one is no exception. Thanks so much Bety, we're glad to have you back.

Instructions
1. Paint chipboard coasters, sand and distress with ink.
2. Cover the front of coaster with paper, machine stitch and add flower, embellishments and glitter.
3. Cover the inside pages with papers, add embellishments.
4. Punch holes on the cover and add chandelier drops.
5. Tie with ribbon.

Supplies
Kaiser Kraft English Rose paper Charlotte
Maya Road chipboard postage stamp coaster
Kaiser Kraft le Chateau Collection black rub ons
Kaiser Kraft le Chateau Collection colored rubons
Maya Road satin posies
Pink Paislee artisan elements collection ornaments
Melissa Frances chandelier drops

Be sure to check out Bety's blog, it's filled with beautiful projects. :) Our blog will be too, as Bety will be with us all month long. Have a great week! Dana

PS I almost forgot to tell you! We ARE doing our sketch contest this month, something a little different, I think the card makers might like this one. Check back later this week.

Home...

2011-05-26T12:41:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone, thrilled here to see some sunshine... boy has been a rainy spring! Flowers are blooming, kids are playing outside and it sure does remind me of how much I love my home and my family. Roree Rumph's awesome layout about her home really tells a story, I can't wait to make a home layout too!

Instructions
1. Cut the navy blue patterned paper to 4 x 11". Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the panel to the 12 x 12" blue patterned paper.
2. Cut out the red strip from the border strips patterned paper to 11" wide and use a 1/4" hole punch to decorate the border edge. Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the strip to the navy blue patterned paper.
3. Cut out a 1 x 11" strip from the orange patterned paper, and used decorative scissors to scallop one edge. Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the strip over the red border strip.
4. Cut out the green border strip from the border strip patterned paper to 11 1/4" wide. Trim one end, and distress the edges with a file. Adhere the border strip to the orange border strip.
5. Machine sew with a decorative stitch around the sides (single stitch) and top (double stitch) with navy blue thread.
6. Adhere your photo (mine was 3 x 3 1/2") and tree and cloud cardstock stickers to the layout.
7. Cut out a triangle slight larger than your photo from the pink patterned paper. Distress the edges with a file.
8. Adhere the 'home' corrugated alphas to the layout.
9. Stamp the rest of the quote above and below the 'home' title with alphabet stamps and brown ink.
10. Hand cut stem and leaf shapes from green patterned paper, and adhere them to the layout. Apply the flower stickers to the stems, and hand sew a French know at the center of each with a sewing needle and embroidery thread.
11. Layer and sew a heart sticker and button to the 'o' in the title. Apply another heart sticker by the flowers.
12. Hand sew three buttons (red, blue, and orange) along the stitched border at the top with like color thread. Layer the asterisk and heart sticker with foam adhesive, and add a green brad to the center. Adhere the finished sticker to the layout between the buttons.
13. Add a red button to the green patterned paper border strip, thread with white/blue twine, and tie a bow. Trim the ends.

Supplies
Echo Park Playground Collection, Capture the Flag
Echo Park Playground Collection, Hide & Seek
Echo Park Playground Collection, Simon Says Border Strips
Echo Park Playground Collection, Kick the Can
Echo Park Playground Collection, Tag Journaling Cards
Echo Park Playground Collection, Jump Rope
Echo Park Playground Collection, 12x12 Element Sticker
Jillibean Soup, Corrugated Alpha, Kraft
Pink Paislee Soiree Collection, Twine
Cosmo Cricket Salt Air Collection, Buttons

Other supplies
Alphabet stamp set - Studio G
Brown Ink Pad - Clearsnap
Orange button - American Crafts
Green brad - Basic Grey
Orange, red, and blue embroidery thread - DMC
Sewing machine and navy blue thread
Decorative Scissors - Provo Craft
1/4" hole punch

Thanks for stopping by to take a look! Be sure to check out Roree Rumph's fabulous blog, for more adorable projects and lots of inspiration. Check in later this week, when we'll have a beautiful project from Beatriz Jennings!! ~ Dana

Bonus sketch for May!!

2011-05-23T09:38:00.000-04:00

Enjoy this bonus sketch from Debbie Gaydos, it's a great one!

See you later this week, with an awesome new project by Roree Rumph.

~ Dana

Happy Birthday cupcake.

2011-05-14T10:55:00.000-04:00

A big Ally Scraps welcome back to Roree Rumph, we're so thrilled to have you!! We've had a lot of birthdays around my house lately, these cards would have been SO perfect... both adorable and creative.

Instructions
Happy Birthday
1. Make a 4 3/4" square card from white cardstock. Emboss the front of the card using the Cuttlebug machine and Seeing Spots embossing folder. Then, machine sew around the top and sides of the card front with a decorative stitch and navy blue thread.
2. Cut a 1 1/4 x 4 3/4" strip from the navy blue patterned paper. Adhere the strip to the bottom of the card.
3. Cut out two banners from the banner patterned paper, and adhere them to the top of the card.
4. Adhere the letter sticker to the card for the sentiment.
5. Wrap the blue/white twine around the card front, multiple time, tie a bow, and trim the ends.
6. Cover the chipboard cupcake pieces with blue patterned paper and heart patterned paper. Adhere the chipboard cupcake pieces to the card. Cut out a flower from the floral patterned paper, and a cross stitch to the center with yellow embroidery thread, and adhere the flower to the top of the cupcake.

Instructions
Party Cupcake
1. Cut out a 4 1/4" circle from heart patterned paper. Cut scallops a little bit below the middle of the circle shape to make the top of a cupcake. Then, machine sew around the outside edge of the cupcake top with a decorative stitch and navy blue thread.
2. Cut a 2 3/4 x 4 1/4" panel from the navy blue patterned paper. Taper the edges to create a cupcake bottom.
3. Create a 4 1/2 x 4 1/4" card from white cardstock. Adhere the cupcake top and bottom to the card, so that the layered piece are slightly taller than the card. Trim the excess cardstock.
4. Cut out a banner from the banner patterned paper, and adhere it to the card. Adhere the letter stickers to the banner, and add zigzag stitching to the top of the letter stickers if desired. Thread the twine at each corner of the banner behind the card front, and tie a bow at one side.
5. Cut out a circle from the circle patterned paper. Layer and sew on the circle and button to the top of the card.

Supplies
Echo Park Playground Collection, Capture the Flag
Echo Park Playground Collection, Kick the Can
Echo Park Playground Collection, Double Dutch
Echo Park Playground Collection, Heads Up Seven Up
Echo Park Playground Collection, Red Rover
Echo Park Playground Collection, 12x12 Alpha Sticker
Maya Road Mini Chipboard Set, Cupcakes
Pink Paislee Soiree Collection, twine
Cosmo Cricket Salt Air Collection, Buttons
Other supplies
White cardstock, Yellow embroidery thread, sewing machine, navy blue thread, circle cutter

Thanks so much Roree! can't wait to see what's next for us. :) Dana

Love you A to Z.

2011-05-11T13:48:00.000-04:00

I can't wait to share these super sweet projects from Betsy Veldman today. The first one, a little photo art piece using the alphabet paper in the Cosmo Upcycle 6x6 paper pad. The second, a beautiful smile card. How creative! a super cute gift for Spring. :)

Love You A to Z instructions
1. Print A to Z words onto cardstock. Trim and adhere to 6x6 alphabet paper. Embellish letters with buttons.
2. Affix border stickers along edges of paper. Trim strip of pink/yellow paper and adhere along right edge. Stitch edges.
3. Punch hearts from patterned papers. Sand edges lightly and adhere. Top with button.
4. Trim photo into circle. Adhere. Embellish with buttons and binder clip. Knot ribbon through binder clip and adhere a piece of lace behind photo.
5. Adhere finished piece to 6x6 piece of chipboard.

Supplies
Cosmo Cricket Upcycle 6x6 pad
Cosmo Cricket Upcycle buttons
Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe Trims
Cream cardstock
Heart punches
Twine
6x6 piece of chipboard

Smile Every Day instructions
1. Create 4 x 5 1/2" card base from kraft cardstock.
2. Trim a 3 3/4 x 5 1/4" block of pink paper. Trim "smile" block from patterned paper. Adhere to pink panel. Affix border sticker. Stitch around flower and down right edge of flower block.
3. Punch 4 hearts from pink paper. Adhere to flower. Top with button.
4. Stamp sentiment onto tag and embellish with punched heart. Wrap twine around panel and tie into bow. Tie tag. Adhere panel to card base.

Supplies
Cosmo Upcycle Elements paper
Cosmo Upcycle 6x6 pad
Cosmo Upcycle button
gems
baker's twine
kraft cardstock
small heart punch
tag
"every day" stamp
aqua ink

Thank you so much Betsy! Love your beautiful projects. :) Have a great day! Dana

May sketch for you!

2011-05-09T09:13:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone, we're going to skip the May sketch contest since I'm getting such a late start on the blog this month. But, I still wanted to share this sketch from Debbie Gaydos, since it's fabulous.

Hope you create something wonderful with it. :)

Check back later this week, for projects from Betsy Veldman, and our May guest designers Roree Rumph and Beatriz Jennings. Enjoy the sunshine. Dana

Oh Joy!

2011-05-03T22:26:00.000-04:00

We're so happy to have Melissa Phillips back with us this month at Ally Scraps. The project she just sent over is super special, Melissa calls it Oh Joy embellishment pockets. I call it charming, oh so pretty and super cute!! Take a look.

Instructions:
1. Embellish three envelopes with rubons, paper, Peek A Boo transparency, stickers, and trim. Staple together on left edge to create a pocket book to store handmade cards, tags, and embellishments.
2. Using small white bags, create cards to fit down inside using decorative paper, stamps, stickers, and embellishments. Embellish the outside of each bag with rubons.
3. Create a tag using coordinating paper and embellishments.
4. Fill each pocket with 2-3 handmade cards and tags using coordinating paper scraps, rub ons, etc.
5. Fill another embellished bag with coordinating buttons and slip inside a pocket.
6. Wrap up coordinating Baker’s Twine, trim, and flowers and slip inside another embellished bag.
7. Attach trim along edges and near the top of each pocket to create more character and bulk.
8. Attach cardstock stickers and overlap with vintage buttons and rub ons to finish.

Supply List:
Glitz Design – Love Nest Collection – Rub Ons
Glitz Design – Scarlet Collection – Peek A Boo
Imaginisce – Berrylicious Collection 12 x 12 Double Sided Berry Paper – Berry Patch
Imaginisce – Berrylicious Collection 12 x 12 Double Sided Berry Paper – Sweet Summer Garden
October Afternoon Modern Homemaker Collection 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper – Cherry Pie
October Afternoon Modern Homemaker Collection 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper – Flour Sack
October Afternoon Modern Homemade Collection 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper – Needle & Thread
October Afternoon Modern Homemaker Collection – Label Stickers
Maya Road – Ribbon – Grosgrain Pleat, Pink
Maya Road – Vintage Crochet Trim – Bubble Dots, White
Maya Road – Ruffle Edge Trim, Pink
Maya Road – Resin Blossoms, Cream
Maya Road – Satin Posies, Mauve & Bright Pink

Have you checked out Melissa Phillips' blog lately??? If not, you're missing out. Thanks for stopping by, back later this week with lots more inspiration. Dana :)

April sketch winner!!

2011-04-29T22:51:00.000-04:00

Thank you to every person who submitted such beautiful projects for our April sketch contest!! Our winner this month is Donna Coughlin, a huge congrats to Donna!! Here is her wonderful layout, love that super cute banner.

Here is the sketch by our very own Debbie Gaydos!!

And, the prize from Basic Grey... a super cool collection pack. Enjoy it Donna. :)

Come check in on the blog again soon, as we have projects coming up soon from Melissa Phillips AND Betsy Veldman, can't wait. Have a great weekend! Dana

Glitz tag and card set.

2011-04-25T10:41:00.000-04:00

Just received this beautiful card and tag set from Betsy Veldman in my inbox, and boy is it pretty! Take a look.

Instructions
Remember When card
1. Fold large post card diecut journaling card in half to form card base. Tie pink trim around card and knot. Trim ends and adhere yellow flower.
2. Adhere "Remember When" sticker with foam adhesive and embellish with Artisan Swirl.

"Beautiful" card
1. Fold pink frame journaling card in half to form card base. Adhere dated journaling card to front.
2. Knot flower ribbon around card. Trim ends. Adhere flower.
3. Affix tab sticker and "beautiful" sticker.

"Remember" tag
1. Trim bicycle journaling card from the Emma's Shoppe Accent Cuts paper. Adhere to diecut journaling card.
2. Affix Artisan flourish. Stamp "just for you" onto label sticker. Affix to tag.
3. Trim flower from patterned paper and tuck under label sticker. Embellish with buttons.
4. Punch hole in top of tag. Tie lace through hole and embellish with pin.

"Best Friends" tag
1. Affix girl sticker to journaling card. Adhere lace along bottom edge. Embellish with flourish sticker.
2. Punch hole in top of journaling card. Tie lace through hole. Adhere flower and embellish with stick pins.

"Love and Cherish" tag
1. Trim vintage postcard from Accent Cuts paper. Trim one edge with decorative scissors. Adhere to journaling card with foam adhesive.
2. Affix "love & cherish" stickers. Affix flourish.
3. Adhere "date" label, tucking under top edge of postcard. Adhere flower.
4. Punch hole in top of tag. Tie trim through hole and embellish with pin.

Supplies
Glitz Love Nest What Not tags
Maya Road Medallion flowers - yellow and pink
Crate Paper- Emma's Shoppe collection - Trims
Crate Paper - Emma's Shoppe collection - label stickers
Pink Paislee - Artisan Elements Swirls
Maya Road - green leaf trinket pins
Glitz - Love nest Cardstock Stickers - Titles
Crate Paper - Emma's Shoppe Accent Cuts
Other, "just for you" stamp, vintage buttons

Thanks so much Betsy, love this set of cards and tags! Check out Betsy's blog for even more beautiful projects. (Wait until you see the gorgeous cards on her blog.)

Oh, and by the way, we have received SO many beautiful layouts for our April sketch contest. It will take a while to sort through them all, so check back later this week for the winner and for and awesome 2 page bonus sketch! Have a great day. :) Dana

A big Ally Scraps welcome to Betsy Veldman!

2011-04-17T12:38:00.000-04:00

I'm so pleased to introduce a brand new guest designer to the Ally Scraps family. Here she is, Betsy Veldman!

Betsy is a small town girl who loves to paper craft. She has a history of design education and has always had a job doing something creative. From home decor to floral designer, she is now happy to be home with her children, doing what she enjoys most -paper crafting. Patterned paper and stamps are her two biggest paper crafting loves. She is a Go-to Gal for Paper Crafts magazine and is on the Papertrey Ink design team. When she's not playing with her paper and stamps or teaching classes at her local scrapbook store, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. As a family they love to ride bikes, play at the park, go geocaching and eat out whenever possible (less time cooking - more time paper crafting!) Betsy and her family live in a small town in Northwest Iowa. Welcome Betsy, let's enjoy her first project!!

Instructions
1. Create a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" cardbase from cream cardstock. Trim a block of pink paper to fit card front. Sand edges, adhere and stitch.
2. Trim a 4 x 5" block of aqua script paper. Sand edges, adhere and stitch.
3. Adhere rose diecut. Embellish with Artisan flourish, sticker, lace, buttons and twine.

Supplies
Cosmo Cricket Upcycle Collection - 6" Mini Paper Pad (pink paper)
Glitz, Love Nest, Sky paper (aqua script)
Glitz, Love Nest, Whatnot diecuts (rose)
Pink Paislee Artisan Collection, Artisan Elements Swirls
Crate Paper, Emma's Shoppe, Trims
Glitz, Love Nest Cardstock Stickers ("bee yourself")
Other: cream cardstock for card base, twine, vintage buttons

Thanks so much Betsy, love your card! We can't wait to see what else you come up with this month. :) Hey, don't forget about the April sketch contest. Here is Debbie Gaydos' awesome sketch.

The lovely prize, an awesome Basic Grey collection pack.

Check out the sketch contest information and rules too, you can find them here. Hope you're working on your sketch contest layout. Enjoy your weekend. Dana

PS - Just realized that the date was incorrect on the original sketch contest post. The sketch contest ends on Sunday, April 24th at midnight Eastern time! Sorry for the confusion.

music from the heart

2011-04-13T14:30:00.000-04:00

There are special photos in my life that mean a lot. This is one of those photos. My daughter was performing at the local art museum, and I caught this wonderful memory of her making music. I love her body language. She loves this photo too.

I used paper and embellishments from Echo Park's For the Record collection. What a perfect match!
stamp of approval (back)
fabric store
vintage linen
lace stripes (back)
borders
noteworthy
alpha stickers
element stickers
American Crafts Marquise thickers

While I was at it, I needed someplace to keep all of the memorabilia from the perfomrance, so I took the time to make and decorate a pocket page with the coordinating paper. That way, I can put the two pages together side by side, and have all of the memories together! :)

Thanks for taking a look. I'll be back later this week with a brand new AllyScraps guest designer, see you soon! Dana

Melissa Phillips is back at Ally Scraps!!

2011-04-08T09:48:00.000-04:00

And, boy are we thrilled to have her. :) Her first project for April is this beautiful mini memories coater book. It's filled with sayings and beautiful flowers, but there is still room to add your own special touches and photos too. Melissa's projects are always sure to inspire you to make one of your own!

Instructions:
1. Paint each chipboard coaster with antique white acrylic paint, let dry, and sand lightly.
2. For the cover, adhere a Peek a Boo transparency to the backside, stitch around the edges and embellish the front with a rubon, cardstock sticker, and buttons, flowers, and pearl in the upper right corner.
3. For the first page, cut a block of paper to fit center of coaster and adhere in place. Adhere canvas petal and die cut What Not. Embellish with a rubon and cardstock sticker. Separate layers from the Posies, and layer individual petals with canvas and paper petals. Adhere to coaster.
4. The second page is a What Not die cut embellished with a Peek A Boo transparency, layered petals, and cardstock sticker.
5. Cut a block of paper to fit the center of the third page and adhere in place. Layer on a die cut What Not, Peek A Boo transparency, cardstock sticker, and layered petals once again.
6. For the fourth page, layer two die cut What Nots and embellish with a cardstock sticker, and layered petals.
7. Cut a block of paper to fit the center of the fifth page and adhere in place. Attach a cardstock sticker, rubons,and trim, and embellish with buttons at the top.
8. For the final page, attach a Peek A Book transparency to a die cut What Not. Embellish with large layered petals and rubons.
9. To finish, punch holes in the upper left corners of each page, thread together with scrunched seam binding, and tie in a double bow.

Supplies:
Square Scallop Frame - Chipboard Coasters by Maya Road
Mauve & Bright Pink Satin Posies by Maya Road
Scarlet Collection Rub ons by Glitz Designs
Love Nest Collection Cardstock Stickers by Glitz Designs
Scarlet Collection Peek A Boo by Glitz Designs
Love Nest Collection What Nots by Glitz Designs
Love Nest Collection Peek A Boo by Glitz Designs
Hello Luscious Embellishment Petals by Basic Grey
Modern Homemaker Flour Sack Paper by October Afternoon
Modern Homemaker Needle & Thread Paper by October Afternoon

Thanks so much Melissa, this is just beautiful! Check out Melissa's blog, she updates it often with more gorgeous projects that will certainly spark your creativity. Have a great sunny weekend! ~ Dana

April Sketch prize revealed!

2011-04-05T07:46:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone, I promised you all that there would be a prize for our April Sketch contest... and here it is. It's from Basic Grey!!

It's a Basic Grey sample pack, withe products from all of their new lines! :) Hurray. So, get to work on your sketch, scroll down for all the info.

~ Dana

April sketch contest. :)

2011-04-02T23:00:00.001-04:00

Time for the April Sketch Contest at Ally Scraps!! While I was away on my last scrapbooking trip, I realized I didn't have many sketches for 2 pictures that go in opposite directions. So... since I happen to know an awesome sketch artist personally, I put an e-mail out to Debbie Gaydos and told her just what I wanted. Lucky for me, she got right to work on an awesome one page sketch, with 2 photos. Wow, love it, hope you do too!!

Of course, there are 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, April 24th at midnight Eastern time. We will choose a winner soon after. Send your layout to allyscraps@gmail.com. Have fun and good luck!

Oh, and the prize you ask?? Well, I'm sure it will be a great one, just haven't figured it out yet. :) Will get back to you soon, with all the sketch prize news.

Have a great weekend! Dana

smile.

2011-03-30T11:39:00.000-04:00

Don't these cards make you want to smile? :) Roree Rumph is back with her final March project for Ally Scraps, these two super cute cards. As always, such beautiful details and lovely hand cut shapes.

Congrats
1. Make a 4 x 5 3/4" card from a coordinating cardstock.
2. Cover the card front with the Fabric Store patterned paper.
3. Cut the Borders patterned paper to 3 3/4 x 5 1/2". Distress the edges with a file.
4. For the house, cut out the blue jounaling spot from the Noteworthy patterned paper to 2 x 2 1/2", a 1 x 3/4" rectangle from the Vintage Linen patterned paper, and a large triangle (about 1 5/8 x 3 1/4") from the Advertisement patterned paper. Distress the edges, and layer and adhere them to the panel.
5. Cut out six 3/4" long strips of paper and a 3" circle from the Lace Stripes. Distress the edges with a file. Adhere the strips at the corner of the panel, and adhere the circle over the strips. Trim off the excess patterned paper.
6. Apply the 'congrats' sticker to the panel.
7. Add decorative stitching to the sun, 'congrats' sticker, and grass line with yellow, red and green embroidery thread.
8. Cut out two hearts (with a die-cut machine or by hand) from the Tablecloth patterned paper. Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the hearts to the house shape.
9. Flatten the center of the flower, and adhere it to the panel. Apply the 'home sweet home' Tin Pin to the center of the flower. Thread a small red button with blue embroidery thread, and adhere the button to the Tin Pin.
10. Adhere the finished panel to the card.

Smile
1. Make a 5 1/2 x 4" card from a coordinating cardstock.
2. Cover the card front with the Lace Stripes patterned paper. Distress the edges with a file.
3. Cut out the white journaling spot from the Noteworthy patterned paper. Distress the edges with a file.
4. Cut out two 3 1/4" long strips for the stems and four leaf shapes from the Fabric Store patterned paper. Adhere the pieces to the panel.
5. Flatten the center of the two flowers, and adhere them to the panel. Attach a red button to the center of each with blue embroidery thread.
6. Apply the 'smile' sticker to the card.
7. Add decorative stitching along the bottom for the grass line, and to the 'smile' sticker.
8. Adhere the finished panel to the card.

Supplies
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Tablecloth
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Advertisement
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Fabric Store
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Vintage Linen
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Lace Stripes
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Borders
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Noteworthy
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Alpha Sticker
Studio Calico Elementary Collection, Vintage Pattern Flowers
Jenni Bowlin Collection, Vintage Style Sew-On Buttons, Red
October Afternoon Modern Homemaker Collection, Tin Pins
Other supplies
Cardstock, Buttons, embroidery thread

Thank you Roree, for being with us in March, we just LOVE your projects. Be sure to check out Roree's blog for even more inspiration, and check back here in May, when Roree will again be an Ally Scraps guest designer!

Hey, are you wondering about our next sketch contest?? All the details, the amazing sketch by Debbie Gaydos and the awesome prize will be posted this Saturday. Have a great week. :) Dana

March sketch winner, revealed!

2011-03-27T09:53:00.000-04:00

A BIG Ally Scraps congrats goes out to Jennifer Chapin! She's the winner of our March sketch contest. We are always so lucky to have so many beautiful entries in the contest, and this month was a really tough one to judge. Here is Jennifer's awesome layout, check out the super cool stitching. :)

Here is the original sketch by Debbie Gaydos.

Loving the prize this month, a prize pack of lovely products by Maya Road.

Since I know that you're all BIG Debbie Gaydos sketch fans, here's a BONUS sketch just for you.

Oh, and please leave me a message in the comments about what kind of sketches you'd like to see in the future. Single photo, multi photo, double page, single page, etc. It would be great to have your input, before I put in my "sketch order" for the next few months. :) Have a great day! Dana

Celebrate Every Day!

2011-03-23T22:14:00.000-04:00

Roree Rumph is back with us, and she's brought along this beautiful mini-book. I'm always so thankful for her wonderful inspiration AND amazing instructions. Hope you'll get busy making one too. :)

Instructions
Cover
1. Paint the back side of the chipboard tag with off-white acrylic paint, and let dry.
2. Trace the shape of the chipboard tag on the backside of the Picket Fence patterned paper, and cut it out. Distress the edges with a file.
3. Cut the Newsprint patterned paper to 2 3/4 x 2". Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the panel to the tag shape.
4. Apply the flourish cardstock sticker from the Elements Sticker sheet, placing pop dots under the leaf shapes to add dimension.
5. Apply the 'celebrate' sticker, rub-on, and letter stickers to the black label for the title to the tag panel. Hand sew decorative stitches to the letter stickers with blue embroidery thread.
6. Dry brush two corrugated button shapes with yellow acrylic paint, and let dry.
7. Attach a red button to the center of each corrugated button with hemp cord and knot. Trim the ends, and adhere the buttons to the tag panel.
8. Adhere the finished panel to the chipboard tag.

Page One (Live)
1. Paint the back side of the chipboard tag with off-white acrylic paint, and let dry.
2. Trace the shape of the chipboard tag on the backside of the Apron Strings patterned paper, and cut it out. Distress the edges with a file.
3. Adhere the black border sticker from the Element Sticker sheet, and trim the ends.
4. Cut the Newsprint patterned paper to 2 3/4 x 3/4". Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the strip to the tag panel.
5. Adhere the photo and number 1 sticker to the tag panel.
6. Adhere the letter stickers to the tag panel.
7. Stamp the rest of the saying onto the Vintage Linen patterned paper with the Alphabet Stamps set and black ink pad. Cut out the individual words, and distress the edges with a file. Adhere the words to the tag panel.
8. Hand sew decorative stitches to the letter stickers and stamped words with blue embroidery thread.
9. Dry brush a corrugated button shape with yellow acrylic paint, and let dry.
10. Hand cut two leaf shapes from the Picket Fence patterned paper. Layer and adhere the shapes to the tag panel.
11. Attach a red button to the center of the corrugated button with hemp cord and knot. Trim the ends, and adhere the button to the tag panel.
12. Adhere the finished panel to the chipboard tag.

Page Two (Laugh)
1. Paint the back side of the chipboard tag with off-white acrylic paint, and let dry.
2. Trace the shape of the chipboard tag on the backside of the Vintage Linen patterned paper, and cut it out. Distress the edges with a file.
3. Adhere the black border sticker from the Element Sticker sheet, and trim the ends.
4. Cut the Newsprint patterned paper to 2 3/4 x 3/4". Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the strip to the tag panel.
5. Adhere the photo and number 2 sticker to the tag panel.
6. Adhere the letter stickers to the tag panel.
7. Stamp the rest of the saying onto the Vintage Linen patterned paper with the Alphabet Stamps set and black ink pad. Cut out the individual words, and distress the edges with a file. Adhere the words to the tag panel.
8. Hand sew decorative stitches to the letter stickers and stamped words with blue embroidery thread.
9. Dry brush a corrugated button shape with yellow acrylic paint, and let dry.
10. Hand cut two leaf shapes from the Picket Fence patterned paper. Layer and adhere the shapes to the tag panel.
11. Attach a red button to the center of the corrugated button with hemp cord and knot. Trim the ends, and adhere the button to the tag panel.
12. Adhere the finished panel to the chipboard tag.

Page Three (Love)
1. Paint the back side of the chipboard tag with off-white acrylic paint, and let dry.
2. Trace the shape of the chipboard tag on the backside of the Picket Fence patterned paper, and cut it out. Distress the edges with a file.
3. Adhere the blue border sticker from the Element Sticker sheet, and trim the ends.
4. Cut the Newsprint patterned paper to 2 3/4 x 3/4". Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the strip to the tag panel.
5. Adhere the photo and number 3 sticker to the tag panel.
6. Adhere the letter stickers to the tag panel.
7. Stamp the rest of the saying onto the Vintage Linen patterned paper with the Alphabet Stamps set and black ink pad. Cut out the individual words, and distress the edges with a file. Adhere the words to the tag panel.
8. Hand sew decorative stitches to the letter stickers and stamped words with blue embroidery thread.
9. Dry brush a corrugated button shape with yellow acrylic paint, and let dry.
10. Hand cut two leaf shapes from the Fabric Store patterned paper. Layer and adhere the shapes to the tag panel.
11. Attach a red button to the center of the corrugated button with hemp cord and knot. Trim the ends, and adhere the button to the tag panel.
12. Adhere the finished panel to the chipboard tag.
To Finish
Attach the finished chipboard tags together with the chain that came the mini album, and tie a bow around the chain with green ribbon. Trim the ends.

Supplies
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Newsprint
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Fabric Store
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Vintage Linen
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Picket Fence
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Apron String
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Element Sticker
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Alpha Sticker
Jenni Bowlin Collection, Vintage Style Sew-On Buttons, Red
Other supplies
Maya Road Tag Mini Album, thickers, corrugated shapes, buttons, embroidery thread, Studio G Alphabet Stamp Set, StazOn Ink Pad (Jet Black), Acrylic Paint (Yellow and Off-White), Ribbon, Hemp Cord

Check out Roree's blog for more awesome projects. Be sure to check back in a few days to see the March sketch contest winner and a bonus sketch from our own Debbie Gaydos. Have a nice evening!

~ Dana

March sketch contest reminder!

2011-03-18T13:14:00.000-04:00

Our March sketch contest is under way, and there are only a couple of more days to get in your entry! Hope you're working on yours. Here's the info, first of all Debbie's beautiful sketch.

The prize is an awesome goodie bag of cool products from Maya Road.

I worked on the sketch too, here's my take! (sorry I wasn't able to get a better photo of my layout.) I used pretty, springy papers from Echo Park's Springtime line, it was SO much fun working with this line.

supplies
Echo Park's Springtime Collection
Seasonal Stripe (back)
Floral Fun
Fresh Flowers (back)
Delightful Stripe (back)
Journaling Cards
Alpha Stickers
Element Stickers

Of course, there are 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, March 20th at midnight Eastern time. We will choose a winner soon after. Send your layout to allyscraps@gmail.com. Have fun and good luck!

By the way, I would love some input... what would you like to see in our sketch contest? 2 page layouts? single photo layouts? multi-photo layouts?? Let me know, and I bet you might see your requests in future Debbie Gaydos sketches. :) Have a great weekend! Dana

On a happy note. :)

2011-03-15T10:44:00.000-04:00

Just got back from an awesome weekend of scrappiness! :) I got a record 18 pages done over 3 full days and can't wait to share some of them here on the blog. Roree Rumph has been busy too... and here are the beautiful cards she made to inspire you. So vintage, and lovely and dimensional. Just love them.

Happy Note card
1. Make a 5" square card from yellow cardstock.
2. Cut the Apron Strings patterned paper to 5" square, distress the edges with a file, and adhere the panel to the card front.
3. Cut the Advertisement patterned paper to 4 1/2 x 3/4", scallop along one edge, distress the edges with a file, and adhere the strip to the card about 3/4" in from the left edge.
4. Cut the Borders patterned paper to 4 1/2 x 3 1/2", distress the edges with a file, and adhere the panel to the card over the scalloped patterned paper strip. Hand sew a couple of cross stitches at the corner where the papers meet using a sewing needle and blue embroidery thread.
5. Cut out a journaling spot from the Noteworthy patterned paper, distress the edges with a file, and adhere it to the card.
6. Apply the rub-on quote along the right side of the journaling spot.
7. Wrap the card front a few times with twine, tie a bow, and trim the ends.
8. Apply the "happy" and "note" cardstock stickers, the scalloped cardstock sticker, and the yellow Tin Pin metal badge to the card. Apply the heart rub-ons to the metal badge.
9. Adhere the large rose cardstock sticker to the card using 3-d foam adhesive.

Hello Friend card
1. Make a 5 1/4 x 4" card from yellow cardstock.
2. Cut the Fabric Store patterned paper to 5 1/4 x 4", distress the edges with a file, and adhere the panel to the card front.
3. Cut the Advertisement patterned paper to 1 x 4", scallop along one edge, distress the edges with a file, and adhere the strip to the card about 2" down from the top of the card.
4. Cut out a journaling spot from the Noteworthy patterned paper, distress the edges with a file, and adhere it to the card.
5. Apply the "hello" cardstock sticker and letter stickers to say "friend" on the journaling spot. Hand sew a small stitch on each side of the "hello" sticker using a sewing needle and blue embroidery thread. Apply a small heart rub-on to the "hello" sticker.
6. Wrap the card with the yellow scalloped ribbon, tie a bow, and trim the ends.
7. Adhere the typewriter cardstock sticker to the card with 3-d foam adhesive. Then, adhere the small rose cardstock sticker to the typewriter with 3-d foam adhesive.

Supplies
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Advertisement
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Fabric Store
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Apron String
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Borders
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Noteworthy
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Element Sticker
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Alpha Sticker
October Afternoon Modern Homemaker Collection, Tin Pins
Maya Road Ribbon Yellow Scallop Dot Ribbon
Melissa Frances Transfers, Thankful
Other supplies
twine, heart rub on, embroidery thread

Have you checked out Roree's blog "A house of cards"? There are so many wonderful projects there, be sure to take a look. Thanks so much Roree. :)

See you soon! Dana

What inspires you??

2011-03-10T07:32:00.000-05:00

The other day when I posted Roree Rumph's adorable layout "so silly", I mentioned that I was super inspired by that little embroidered heart on her layout.

Isn't that heart just super sweet?? So, as I started my newest layout, I decided that I wanted to put one on my layout.

Well, that little tiny heart turned into a great big embroidered heart. :)

I used a small part of a layout that I loved the look of, to begin the direction of my project. I know that Roree doesn't mind. (As long as I give her credit of course!) That's why we post her projects (and other designers projects) on our blog. To inspire you!! So, why don't you give it a try? a heart, a flower, a star, a circle... the choices are endless!

Just so you know, I cut a big heart out of vellum, held it on my layout, and used a paper piercer to punch holes all around the heart. It was easy!

Supplies
patterned paper - Kaisercraft Class of 87
assembly
times tables
sports day
excursion
tuck shop
die cut elements
American Crafts marquise thickers

Hey, did you notice that there is loads of brand new stuff in the store?? Including Crate Paper, Cosmo Cricket and Imaginisce?? Also, brands new Thickers!! Love me some thickers. :)

Thanks for stopping by to check out our blog. I'll be scrapping this weekend, hope you will too! Dana

So Silly.

2011-03-05T08:18:00.000-05:00

We are always so thrilled to have Roree Rumph back at Ally Scraps. :) Her amazing designs always make me smile. Know what I love best about this layout? that really cool embroidered red heart, I need to add one of those to an upcoming layout of mine. I also really like the creative way she used the green paper. Really cute!

Instructions
1. Cut the Newsprint patterned paper to 11 x 8 1/2".
2. Cut out green patterned paper strips from the Borders patterned paper (B-side). Cut the strips into varying lengths, and adhere the strips to the layout.
3. Adhere the photo(s) to the layout.
4. Place a heart shaped die-cut on the layout (I used a Heidi Swapp acrylic heart I had), use a paper piercer to mark the shape, then hand stitch the shape with red embroidery thread.
5. Add letter stickers to the stitched heart and above the row of photos for the title.
6. Sew a small red button between the u and r in the title with black embroidery thread.
7. Adhere the ticket journaling spot from the Noteworthy patterned paper to the upper left corner over the green patterned paper strip, and trim off the excess.
8. Cut the black scallop border sticker in half, and adhere the strips to the top and bottom of the layout.
9. Adhere the Note sticker and Tin Pin metal badge to the journaling spot.
10. Stamp your journaling onto strips of Newsprint patterned paper, apply a rub-on heart to one of the strips, and adhere the strips to a Mini Bag & Tag. Wrap another Mini Bag and Tag with twine, tie a bow, and trim the ends. Adhere the bags to the layout.
11. Add two Trinket Pins to each tag, and adhere them to the back of the tag.

Supplies
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Newsprint
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Borders
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Noteworthy
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Element Sticker
Echo Park Paper For The Record Collection, Alpha Sticker
Melissa Frances Paper Bags & Tags
October Afternoon Modern Homemaker Collection, Tin Pins
Maya Road Trinket Pins
Other supplies
Thickers, Soiree Twine, red button, alphabet stamp set, heart rub-on

Thanks so much for stopping by. See you soon, with more fab projects. :)

March Sketch Contest!!

2011-03-02T10:48:00.000-05:00

It's time for the March Sketch Contest here at Ally Scraps. :) We are always so fortunate to have beautiful sketches by Debbie Gaydos. Her sketches are the best in the business, and I am especially loving this one.

As usual, Cathy has give us an awesome prize. This month it's a wonderful goodie package full of products from Maya Road. We know you'll love this prize!

Of course, there are 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, March 20th at midnight Eastern time. We will choose a winner soon after. Send your layout to allyscraps@gmail.com. Have fun and good luck!

~ Dana

Manufacturer highlight - Imaginisce!!

2011-02-28T07:52:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone, thought we'd highlight some of the awesome new products that Cathy is carrying in the Ally Scraps store. :) First up, Imaginisce. Two brand new lines are available, and here is a sneak peek of each. (I have both of them on their way to my house.)

Berrylicious

Animal Crackers

Aren't these projects fantastic?? I borrowed them from the Imaginisce blog, their designers are just wonderful! Such a nice variety of projects and layouts. Cute!!

Be sure to check out the Ally Scraps store to see "what's new". I'll be back soon with the March sketch contest, and wow, can't wait to share this sketch with you. Have a great week. Dana

February sketch contest WINNER!

2011-02-24T17:01:00.000-05:00

You girls had me a little worried, since we didn't have a single sketch entry until 2!! days before the deadline. Well, I shouldn't have worried, because we ended up with lots of wonderful entries for our contest. Really beautiful pages, all inspired by Debbie's 2 page sketch. I could have chosen LOTS of winners, but our winner this month is Nicole, and here is her lovely layout. Big congrats Nicole! I love how her layout closely followed the sketch, but she infused her own personality with elegant touches. Here is Nicole's layout.

Debbie's original sketch.

Nicole will be getting an awesome prize, a whole box of BoBunny's fabulous brand new papers. Have fun playing. :)

In other AllyScraps news, be sure to check out the "what's new section" of the store. There are lots of new goodies, and coming this week are more fun products from Imaginisce, thickers from American Crafts and Twig from My Little Yellow Bicycle. Have a great week. Dana

February sketch contest reminder!!

2011-02-17T19:19:00.000-05:00

Hope you're all busy working on your February sketch contest entries!!! The due date is coming close, and for the first time ever, we don't have a single entry! Debbie Gaydos has created this awesome 2 page sketch just for us, we are so lucky to have her. Here's Debbie's sketch.

I got right to work making my layout. Just a simple one from me.

I used October Afternoon's Modern Homemaker line. I love that lots of October Afternoon's lines go together, so I was able to pull journaling cards and stickers from my stash, that matched perfectly. :) (Hey, a little birdie told me that there will be BRAND NEW October Afternoon coming to the store, hopefully it's here really soon.)

Can you believe the super cool prize that Cathy has given us this month?? It's from BoBunny, and the winner will receive one sheet of every piece of paper from their brand new lines that just debuted at CHA. This paper isn't even available to purchase yet. Thanks Cathy!

Of course, there are 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, February 20th at midnight Eastern time. We will choose a winner soon after. Send your layout to allyscraps@gmail.com. Have fun and good luck!

Check back soon, as we still have one project to share from Raechelle Bellus and Roree Rumph is coming back to Ally Scraps for March! Have a great day. Dana

Happy Valentine's Day. :)

2011-02-14T08:26:00.000-05:00

We hope you have lots of time with your sweeties today! We're sure that you will take lots of pictures, so here is an adorable way to keep your Valetine's Day memories all in one place. Raechelle Bellus created this adorable mini album, hope you make one for yourself.

supplies:
Echo Park Paper Be Mine Collection- papers and stickers
button
rhinestones
ribbon
felt heart

Thanks so much Raechelle. This is super cute!

Hey, don't forget about the Ally Scraps sketch contest. The due date is coming soon, and WOW, we don't have a single entry... so maybe this is your month! :) Check out this post, it has all of the information you need. Have a wonderful day. :) Dana

Coming Soon - Fancy Pants Designs!

2011-02-11T08:58:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! I've been wanting to highlight some of the awesome new products that Cathy has purchased for the store, and are shipping very soon! Can't wait to work with all of these brand new awesome scrappy supplies. We'd like to feature Fancy Pants Designs today, as Cathy will be bringing in 3 lovely new lines for Spring and Summer.

Shipping VERY soon, and already up for preorder in the store is To The Moon line. With its primary papers, fun patterns and super cute embellies, what a cute line for your sweet boy.

Fun for summer, and your adorable beach bums.... here are 2 adorable lines for BOYS and GIRLS, shipping in March! Aren't those waves the cutest??

Don't you love these adorable layouts from the Fancy Pants site? Keep an eye on the what's new section of the store, for the awesome products coming soon. And, keep your eye out for more products, coming soon. :) ~ Dana

More pretty cards for Valentine's Day!

2011-02-06T11:24:00.000-05:00

Look at these pretty Valentine's Day cards from Raechelle Bellus!! You still have plenty of time to make cards for your own sweetie, take a try at these.

Directions
1. Cut a 2"x 2" Be Mine with Eiffel Tower journal piece from paper. Cut a 2"x2" square of coordinating backside as well. Adhere both squares to card.
2. Cut a 2"x 4" strip of Echo Park's So In Love paper. Tear off one end. Adhere to card.
3. Cut a 4"x 1.5" strip of Echo Park Paper's Airmail Stripe paper. Tear bottom. Adhere to card.
4. Add floss to buttons and then adhere to card.

directions
1. Cut a 1.25"x4.5" strip of Echo Park's So In Love paper, ink edges and adhere to card
2. Cut a 3"x4" piece of Echo Park's Rose Bouquet paper and tear the bottom. Lightly ink edges and adhere to card, centering it.
3. Adhere large 'ticket' sticker to card, apply 2 additional ticket stickers, layered, finished off by a heart and butterfly sticker all from the Elements sticker sheet.
4. Apply Maya Road Satin Posies to the card.
5. finish off with 3 rhinestones.

Thanks so much Rae! Love these. See you soon, with lots more projects AND some sneak peeks of the brand new products Cathy has coming for the Ally Scraps store.

~ Dana

February Sketch Contest!!

2011-02-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for our February sketch contest here at Ally Scraps! Debbie Gaydos has created this awesome 2 page sketch just for us, we are so lucky to have her. We hope that it will inspire you to start (and finish of course) a layout based on her sketch. I've already started working on mine. :)

Of course, Cathy is always super generous with her prizes! This time the prize is an awesome one. It's from BoBunny, and the winner will receive one sheet of every piece of paper from their brand new lines that just debuted at CHA. This paper isn't even available to purchase yet. Thanks Cathy!

Of course, there are 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, February 20th at midnight Eastern time. We will choose a winner soon after. Send your layout to allyscraps@gmail.com. Have fun and good luck!

In other Ally Scraps news, Cathy has been really busy ordering brand new scrappy supplies from CHA. She has placed orders with October Afternoon, Bella Blvd., Jillibean Soup, Echo Park, Cosmo Cricket, Crate Paper, Fancy Pants, Basic Grey, Pink Paislee, Melissa Frances and so much more! She has already started putting in pre-orders of the products that will ship very soon. Check them out right here!

I'll be back later this week with more beautiful Valentine's day projects from Raechelle Bellus. Take care, and have a great week! Dana

Love notes.

2011-01-30T09:48:00.000-05:00

Are you going to send a "love note" to your sweeties?? Well, here are a couple of fun and quick projects from Raechelle Bellus to get you started! Take a look...

directions
1. Adhere "so in love with you" journal card cut from Echo Park Paper Be Mine Collection - 12x12 Paper - Journal Cards
to bottom rt. corner of black pre-made card (4"x6").
2. Cut a small arc on coordiniating script side and adhere along bottom.
3. Adhere a rectangle of Echo Park Paper Be Mine Collection - 12x12 Paper - Black Damask along top portion of card.
4. Apply a stip of ribbon to cover raw edges.
5. Apply one of the Maya Road - Satin Posies - Mauve & Bright Pink
6. Finish off with some folded ribbbon and a Maya Road Trinket Pins Crystals

supplies
Echo Park Paper Be Mine Collection- papers and stickers
Maya Road flower
Maya Road pin
cardstock

directions
1. Cut a piece of Echo Park Paper Be Mine Collection - 12x12 Paper - Love Song paper a tad bit smaller to fit card. Adhere and distress edges.
2. Cut a piece of Echo Park Paper Be Mine Collection - 12x12 Paper - Airmail Stripe to approx. 4.5" by 3.25". Ink edges and adhere to center of card, distress edges.
3. Adhere pink ribbon along middle of card.
4. Apply the 'Carte Postal' sticker from Echo Park Paper Be Mine Collection - 12x12 Paper - Elements to center of card
5. Adhere bow, heart stickers from above sticker sheet and a rhinestone to finish off.

supplies
Echo Park Paper Be Mine Collection - papers and stickers
ribbon and rhinestone
cardstock

Instructions
Apply border sticker around center of candle.
Apply large decorative sticker.

Supplies
Echo Park Love Story stickers

These make you feel all lovey!! Thanks so much Rae! Don't you love this cute paper by Echo Park?? They are one of my VERY favorite new scrapbook companies... I have loved EVERY line they have come out with. Guess what? Cathy ordered ALL 3 of their new lines for the store from CHA. Wanna peek??

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these... oh, and check out the store, Cathy has For the Record and Springtime on preorder!! :) Have a great week. Dana

Need an ADORABLE Valentine gift for your sweetie??

2011-01-25T12:37:00.000-05:00

This could be it! Raechelle Bellus is back at Ally Scraps, and we're SO pleased to have her. Did you know that Raechelle was a member of the original Ally Scraps Design Team, over 5 years ago?! These decorated bottles are her specialty, so of course we asked her to make some with a Valentine's theme. Fill them up with Valentine goodies, and you're all set with an amazing gift.

instructions
1. clean bottles from a Frappachino 4-pack
2. cover top handle area with patterned paper- cut to fit. (I used Mod Podge to adhere paper to both the carton and bottles.)
3. cut 2- 1"x12" pink strips to go around top portion. Ink edges. Prior to adhering, wrap around and trim excess of each strip, then adhere.
4. cut 2- 3.5"x12" strips of black script patterned paper. If desired add some light tearing/distressing to top edges. As before, wrap around and trim excess prior to adhering. Let dry and then add more tearing/distressing to top edge if desired.
5. Wrap pink ribbon around just below distressed edge. I ran a single seam down the middle of the ribbon using my sewing machine for a little added ruffle/detail.
6. Apply 'Be Mine' sticker at a slight angle on left side of front. Apply the round post mark sticker on top of the first sticker.
7. Adhere felt flower, then add the tulle flower along with 2 of the stick pins stuck through tulle flower.
8. Tie large bow around handle to finish off.
bottles:
1. cut 4 different strips of patterned paper to fit around bottles; each approx 3" tall by 8.5".
2. Adhere ribbon around the top of each edge of patterned paper.
3. Finish each off with a button or bow as well as a sticker from the sticker sheet.
4. Paint around rim of each lid. Allow to dry. Cut or punch 4- 1.75" circles using different patterned paper and adhere on to the top of each lid.

supplies
Echo Park Paper Be Mine Collection- papers and stickers
Maya Road pins
Lily Bee tulle flower
ribbon, buttons, pink felt flower and floss all from my stash

Thanks so much Rae, for the super cute project. Love it!

Hey, did you know that this weekend is the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) twice yearly show?? It's where scrapbook store owners peruse lots of brand new scrapbook goodies, in order to fill up their stores! Well, Cathy has already started placing orders, I can't wait for some of the new stuff that will be coming to Ally Scraps over the next few months. :) (Bella Blvd, Echo Park, Cosmo Cricket, Crate Paper, October Afternoon... just to name a few!) Is there anything you've been noticing, during all of the manufacturer's sneak peeks, that you'd like to see in our store?? Tell us what you'd like to see Cathy order at CHA!! We'd love to know what you're looking for.

Have a great week! Dana

January Sketch Contest winner PLUS a bonus sketch!

2011-01-23T10:09:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!! A big Ally Scraps congratulations to Julie Rainbolt! our January Sketch Contest winner. We're always so lucky to have so many awesome entries to choose from, but we loved the way Julie used flowers as her vertical embellishment. Here is Julie's awesome layout.

Here is the terrific sketch by Debbie Gaydos.

And, here is the lovely prize that Julie will be getting. A prize pack of Echo Park's Little Girl Line. It's new in the store, and discounted too! You might have heard that the Ally Scraps brick and mortar store is closing... so sad. But there is good news! The Ally Scraps online store AND blog are staying open. Hurray.

Since we know that you love Debbie's awesome sketches, here is a January BONUS sketch just for you.

Yes, we'll be having a February sketch contest too. :) SO check back often. Coming up we'll have a lovely Valentine project from Raechelle Bellus and I've been busy too, can't wait to share. Stay warm! Dana

Are you ready for Valentine's Day? We can help!

2011-01-17T21:45:00.000-05:00

Linda Albrecht is back with us at AllyScraps this month... and she's getting ready for Valentine's Day. She's made a Valentine Box with decorations, just for us. This is what Linda has to say about her lovely project.

"The Valentine's Day hearts wall decor nestles in the box for storage
along with the garland so could give it away for a gift or keep it for
yourself and put sweet treats in the box while the other things decorate
your home for the holiday. Use the pretty papers found at AllyScraps and add some vintage fun with old dressmakers tissue accents. It's a timeless project that will
take you back to your childhood when you hand cut paper hearts to celebrate the day of love.

Instructions
1. Cover the heart shaped box with desired patterned papers then for the
outside edge of the box top cut the width needed x 12" lengths of
patterned paper to cover the surface.
2. Use hot glue to hold paper "Ruffle" in place. Make folds as you glue
it down to the box top edge to form your ruffle.
3. Adhere the mini ric rac trim to the center of the ruffle that goes
around the box top edge.
4. Make a dressmaker's tissue flower from 1" strips. Adhere to the box
top then add glitter hearts to the flower center. Add a small button to
one heart and a ruffle blossom flower to the center of the other.
5. Hand cut a large heart that will fit inside of the box. I used the
box for the shape, then trimmed away 3/4" around all of the edge using a
pinking shears.
6. Use dressmaker's tissue to make a 1" ruffle around the outside edge
of the largest heart.
7. Hand cut hearts from patterned papers that decrease in size using a
pinking shears then apply glitter glue to the outside edges.
8. Sew a vertical line through the middle center of all of the hearts
using a sewing machine, fold hearts outward for dimension, then adhere a
ruffle blossom flower to the center of the smallest heart.
9. Make a smaller heart for the bottom cluster of hearts then cut out
several hearts from dressmaker's tissue, layer them to the first heart
then add another patterned paper heart to the top.
10. Machine sew the hearts together vertically down the center, fold
hearts outward then adhere a flower to the center.
11. Adhere a large button to the center of a punched paper circle and
apply glitter glue to the outside edge of the circle.
12. Use black crochet thread to connect the heart pieces together.
13. Hand cut or punch 2" hearts from patterned papers (cut 2 hearts for
each one heart on the garland.
14. Use a die cutting machine or punch to cut several flowers from
dressmaker's tissue.
15. String a flower in bunches onto the black crochet string, going
through the centers twice with a large needle then glue two hearts
together about 3" from the flower.
16. Continue to do this until you achieve the desired length of your
garland.

Supplies
Pink Paislee Sweetness Collection
Picture Perfect
Love Letters
Sweetest Day
Pretty Lace
Canvas Borders
Tinsel Ribbon
October Afternoon Modern Homemaker Collection
Snickerdoodles
Crafty Secrets Mini Vintage Hanger
Maya Road Ruffle Blossoms- Yellow and Pink
Melissa Frances Pop Out Glitter Hearts, pink
Other:
Heart shaped paper mache box,vintage dressmakers tissue, Stickles, large button, black crochet thread, mini ric rac trim

Thanks so much Linda, for your beautiful heartfelt project. Check out Linda's blog for more beautiful projects! Have a great week, Dana

Road Trip

2011-01-11T10:35:00.000-05:00

Kelly Goree is back with us this week, with this super cute layout Road Trip! This is SO much fun... love the way she used the chipboard embellishments.

Supplies
Cosmo Cricket Papers: JOY RIDE
Detour
Fast Lane
Pit Stop
Round About
Elements
chipboard
chipboard alphabet, brads, scallop border punch

Thank you so much to Kelly Goree for her awesome projects for us this month. She has been a joy to work with, and every project was more beautiful than the last. Check out Kelly's blog for inspiration all year long. We hope that she'll come design for us again soon.

Have a great week! Dana

Santa, Please Stop Here

2011-01-06T11:44:00.000-05:00

We hope that Santa stopped at your house too... and now we're sure you have piles of photos with a Christmas theme to scrap. Here's a really cute layout from Morag Cutts to inspire you. Here's what she had to say about it.

"The children wait patiently (or not so patiently) with my brother's dog. Alfie wasn't keen on his hat so I had to be quick with the camera. I've tucked a wish list into the envelope - I think their list is very long!" What a cute idea, and a cute photo too. :)

Supplies
1. Add Rock Candy Stickles over the presents on Special Delivery Paper and allow to dry.
2. Create an envelope with patterned paper to tuck extra photos and wish lists in. I created a template by taking an existing envelope apart.
3. Create photos mats from Around the World and Air Mail papers. Ink edges.
4. Create a tag from the Air Mail paper and layer behind photo, tying jingle bells with baker's twine.
5. Create tags from Trading Cards paper and tuck in envelope.
6. Cut out Santa from Trading Cards paper, add stickles and snow before mounting on foam tape.
7. Add title from the Die-cut sheet
8. Hand cut holly leaves from Trading Cards before layering the Maya Road Velvet Flowers
9. Glue tiny frame over Santa image before trimming to shape. Add to envelope with twine.

Supplies
Pink Paislee Father Christmas Collection
Special Delivery
Around the World
Air Mail
Trading Cards
Die-cut Sheet
Maya Road Velvet Flowers

Thank you so much Morag for being with us this month. Your layouts and projects are just beautiful. Be sure to check out Morag's blog to inspire you all year long. Be sure to check back this weekend, we have another lovely project from Kelly Goree and will be announcing our January guest designer soon. Take care! Dana

Happy New Year, December sketch winner and the January sketch contest!!

2011-01-02T13:24:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year to all of our lovely blog readers! Lots of catching up to do today, so here's the latest sketch contest news. :) First our December sketch contest has a winner... big congrats to our winner Brittney, hurray!

Here was the December contest sketch by our good friend Debbie Gaydos.

Brittney won a $20 gift certificate to the AllyScraps online store. Lucky girl!

Yes, yes, yes! We are continuing our sketch contest in 2011. Here is Debbie's really cool sketch, our January contest sketch.

And, here is the prize... an awesome collection of products from Echo Park's Little Girl Line. Cathy always gives us the best prizes... wish I could enter!

Just a few rules for the contest of course. 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 Thursday, January 20th at midnight Eastern time. We will choose a winner soon after. Send your layout to allyscraps@gmail.com. Have fun and good luck.

Enjoy lots of srapping time in 2011, thanks for making AllyScraps a part of your new year. Dana

Hey Santa.

2010-12-29T10:47:00.000-05:00

We hope you had an amazing Christmas at your house! We did, and we're enjoying the week off school mostly in our pjs. :) Now that Christmas is over, it's not too early to start memory keeping. I find that while I'm still in the Christmas mood, layouts with a Christmas theme are easier to get started. So, why not give it a try?? Kelly Goree's adorable Hey, Santa layout should be a great jumping off place. I love the way she did the title, and the pictures are at such a fun angle. You can use her page set-up or her title or her overall design to get you started.

Supplies
October Afternoon Very Merry Papers
Fill the Stockings
Sing the Carols
Wrap the Presents
October Afternoon Very Merry Stickers, more stickers
October Afternoon Fly a Kite Stickers
Pink Paislee Chipboard alphabet
Other: cream and red cardstock, chalk ink, scallop border punch & snowflake punch, stickles

Thanks so much Kelly, we love your amazing layouts. Check out Kelly's blog for even more inspiration all year long! I'll be back soon with another beautiful project from Morag Cutts... and maybe I'll even get some scrapping done soon! Dana

Snow Wonder

2010-12-21T14:22:00.000-05:00

Morag Cutts is back again with this adorable layout based on the AllyScraps December contest sketch. Love Morag's take on the sketch, isn't that snowflake border the absolute cutest?? :) Morag used the Echo Park Wintertime Collection, such beautiful paper and embellishments.

Here is our December contest sketch by Debbie Gaydos.

The prize for our contest this month is an awesome $20 gift certificate to the AllyScraps online store. Love prizes where you get to choose your own scrappy stuff.

Of course, there are a few rules for our sketch contest. Make your own 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 Wednesday, December 29th at midnight Eastern time. (A little extra time, since December is a busy month.) We will choose a winner soon after. Send your layout to allyscraps@gmail.com. Have fun and good luck.

Thanks Morag, love your layout. Check out Morag's blog for even more scrappy goodness.

From all of us at AllyScraps, we wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year! See you soon. Dana and Cathy

The Christmas Squirrel - a mini book.

2010-12-19T21:31:00.000-05:00

Kelly Goree is back, with this adorable Maya Road mini book project. A Christmas tree that tells a story. The story of her family and the Christmas Squirrel. It's SO cute, and I love the memory that it preserves, a memory of several years.

Maya Road Christmas Tree Album
Echo Park Everybody Loves Christmas
Bright Stripes
Christmas Bells
Scallop Stripes
October Afternoon Very Merry Stickers
October Afternoon Alpha Stickers
Stickles - yellow, cotton candy, green, icicle
Other: cardstock, circle punch, scallop border punch, snowflake punch

Thank you so much Kelly for sharing this family mini book with us. Can't wait to see your next project!! Enjoy this crazy week ahead. :) Dana

Wintertime Stocking

2010-12-16T13:09:00.001-05:00

We're so happy to have Morag Cutts back on the AllyScraps blog this month. Morag has been a special designer for with for several years, and we're always so happy to have her visit, especially when she brings us beautiful projects like this wintertime stocking.

Instructions
1. Create an stocking template and draw around twice (once in reverse)
2. Carefully stick edges together.
3. Make a pleated rosette using 1" of Red Swirls paper. Concertina fold every 1/10".
4. Top off stocking with striped paper, adding tiny bells to the points.
5. Add fluffy marabou and some candy canes.

Supplies
Echo Park Wintertime Collection:
Snow
Red Swirls
Stripes
Element Stickers

Thanks so much Morag, your stocking is lovely!! Check back over the weekend for a really gorgeous Christmas mini album from Kelly Goree and a beautiful layout from Morag based on Debbie's current sketch. Stay warm! Dana

A big AllyScraps welcome to Kelly Goree!

2010-12-13T21:51:00.000-05:00

It's my pleasure to introduce Kelly Goree, a special guest on our blog this month. I have been a fan of Kelly's for years, and it is so nice to fine have her here at AllyScraps. Let's say hello and give a great big welcome to Kelly.

Kelly Goree lives in the beautiful horse country of Kentucky with her husband of 13 years and her three rambunctious boys. She was introduced to scrapbooking in early 2000 just after her oldest son was born and it quickly became a favorite hobby then all-out passion. She'll tell you if she's not out chasing her boys, you can find her scrapping!

Kelly is a full-time staff designer and instructor for BasicGrey where she is a driving force in designing work for classes, trade shows, catalogs, and special events. In 2006 she had the honor of being a Memory Makers Master and has over 500 published works that can been seen in the pages of Creating Keepsakes, Better Homes & Garden's Scrapbooks Etc., Scrapbook Trends, Paper Trends, Scrapbooking & Beyond and other scrapbooking and paper arts publications and books.

Here is Kelly's first project... what an awesome layout! Such a super design which draws your eye right to the photo. Super cute title, fun embellies and love that photo too.

Supplies
Echo Park Everybody Loves Christmas
Bright stripes
Scallop stripes
October Afternoon green alphabet stickers
October Afternoon Very Merry word stickers
October Afternoon Very Merry label stickers
We R Memory Keepers Merry January sewn cardstock
Maya Road Mist hydrangea blue
Other Supplies
Chipboard alphas, Scallop border punch & Circle punch, cardstock, white pen, Tattered Angels mist (marshmallow), Stickles

Thank you so much to Kelly Goree for sharing her awesome layout with us, and for inspiring us all month long! Have a great week, stay warm. Dana

Preserving your holiday memories.

2010-12-11T22:14:00.000-05:00

I admit it, I have a hard time scrapping my Christmas photos. Maybe there are WAY too many, maybe the colors are choatic, maybe half are out of focus or badly framed. Not matter what the reason, I need to get busy preserving my holiday memories, so I have really keep my eyes open for great Christmasy layouts to "scraplift", to keep me moving through my HUGE pile of Christmas photos. This layout from Roree Rumph is number one on my list! Love it, I think I'll add my daughter's Santa letter right in that awesome envelope. :)

Instructions:
1. Cut the multi-dot patterned paper to 8 1/2 x 11". Distress the edges with a file.
2. Cut the blue patterned paper to 7 1/2 x 8 1/2". Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the panel to the center of the layout.
3. Cut two 7 1/2 x 1/2" strips from the green patterned paper with scallop-edged decorative scissors. Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the strips to the layout along the left and right edges of the blue patterned paper panel. Machine sew with a zigzag stitch and blue thread where the seams meet on the right side of the panel, if desired
4. Cut the pink patterned paper to 1 3/4 x 9 1/8". Distress the edges with a file. Adhere the panel at the left edge of the blue patterned paper panel (to overhang off the right edge). Machine sew with a zigzag stitch and blue thread where the seams meet on the left side of the panel, if desired.
5. Adhere the striped corner sticker and 2 x 3 3/4" photo at the upper left corner of the blue patterned paper panel.
6. Adhere the decorative envelope to the layout. Add border stickers to the top and bottom edges of the envelope. Apply the mixed alphabet stickers to the top of the envelope for the title. Apply the rub-on sentiment to the bottom of the envelope. Adhere blue gems to the decorative edge of the envelope. Remove the string, and add two strands of brown/white baker's twine to each enclosure. Tie a bow, and trim the ends.
7. Adhere the second 2 x 3 3/4" photo to the layout. The upper right corner will sit underneath the flap of the envelope.
8. Adhere the Santa sticker to the bottom left corner of the blue patterned paper panel.
9. Sew two green buttons onto the right side of the pink patterned paper panel with blue thread.
10. Add labels to the top and bottom of the layout, and add journaling.
11. Tie a small bow with the red ribbon, and adhere the bow to the larger label.

Supplies:
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Element Stickers
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Alpha Stickers
Maya Road Kraft Envelopes, Decorative
Maya Road Ribbon, Red Scallop Dot Ribbon
Jenni Bowlin Collection, Vintage Style Sew-On Buttons, Green
October Afternoon Fly A Kite Collection Label Stickers
Other supplies:
Blue gems, pen/marker, file, decorative scissors (small scallop), sewing needle, sewing machine, blue thread, bakers twine

Thank you so much to Roree Rumph for being such a big part of our November/December blog here at AllyScraps. Check out Roree's blog for lots more beautiful projects! We've invited Roree back of course, and you'll see her again very soon! :) Have a great weekend. Dana

A special way to present your gift.

2010-12-09T20:32:00.000-05:00

Michelle Lanning is back with her final project for us this month. We are SO happy to have her here at AllyScraps, it was so much fun enjoying her awesome Christmas projects. :) Take a look at this adorable gift bag and card, super cute.

This is what Michelle has to say. "Hi there! Just wanted to share a fun and easy craft to do for those teacher gifts you may have. I always like using up my scraps and my old bags (because I save mine). This particular one was a valentine bag, but it was covered nicely with the Echo Park paper. I added some Christmas ribbon, (I stapled it on with a long armed stapler). I then added my daughter's teacher's name and had her sign it. I made a little card to go along with the gift bag. So cute and simple!"

Michelle used a gift bag from her stash, Christmas ribbon and paper from the Echo Park Merry Christmas collection.

I'm sure you'll want to keep checking in on Michelle Lanning's Blog to see what she's been up to. Hey, don't forget about our upcoming sketch contest. Here is Debbie's awesome contest sketch, and here is a link to the contest and rules.

Awesome prize too!! A $20 gift certificate to the AllyScraps online store.

Hope your holiday preparations are going well, and that you're finding a little time for scrapping too! See you soon. Dana

Have you made your Christmas cards yet??

2010-12-07T10:21:00.000-05:00

If not, well we have some ideas for you. Roree Rumph is a master card maker, every card she makes is SO special! I'm sure that these 2 Christmas cards will inspire you to get busy and make your own. Roree also gives us amazing directions with every project, really helps us to recreate her beautiful cards.

Joy
1. Make a 5" square card from a coordinating cardstock.
2. Cover the card front with red patterned paper, and distress the edges with a file.
3. Cut the blue patterned paper to 4 1/4" square, and adhere the panel to the center of the card.
4. Cut four 1/4 x 4 1/4" strips from the green patterned paper, and scallop along one edge. Adhere the strips along the edges of the blue patterned paper panel.
5. Paint the two large chipboard snowflakes with white acrylic paint, multiple coats. On the last coat, while the paint is still wet, add glitter. Let dry. Layer and adhere the snowflakes to the center of the card.
6. Paint the joy chipboard with green acrylic paint, multiple coats, and let dry.
6. Lightly ink the chipboard gingerbread man with brown ink pad. Adhere rick rack at the hands and feet, attach brads for the eyes, dab red ink on the face with your fingertip for the cheeks, and pierce two holes in each cheek and thread with red embroidery thread for the mouth.
7. Punch a small hole in the gingerbread man's other hand and in the 'y' of the joy chipboard. Attach the joy chipboard to the gingerbread man with baker's twine, and adhere a red button to the center of the joy chipboard. Adhere the finished gingerbread man to the center of the snowflake chipboard.

Merry Christmas
1. Make a 5 3/4 x 4 1/4" card from a coordinating cardstock.
2. Cover the card front with red patterned paper, and distress the edges with a file.
3. Cut the green patterned paper to 5 1/4 x 3 3/4", distress the edges with a file, and apply the Merry Christmas stickers to the card, leaving about and 1/8" between the two. Wrap baker's twine around the card twice, and adhere the panel to the center of the card.
4. Cut two 1/4 x 3 3/4" strip from the blue patterned paper, and scallop along one edge. Adhere the strips along the top and bottom of the green patterned paper panel.
5. Paint the two small chipboard snowflakes with white acrylic paint, multiple coats. On the last coat, while the paint is still wet, add glitter. Let dry. Layer and adhere the snowflakes to the card. Thread the button with baker's twine, and tie a bow. Adhere the button to the center of the chipboard snowflake.

Supplies:
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Trim The Tree
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Journaling cards
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Borders
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Element Stickers
Maya Road - Chipboard Keychain, Christmas Words
Maya Road - Chipboard Keychain, Christmas Shapes
Melissa Frances Home For The Holidays Collection, Chipboard Snowflakes
Jenni Bowlin Collection - Vintage Style Sew-On Buttons, Red
Other supplies:
Cardstock, white and green acrylic paint, glitter, copper/brown brads, white rick rack, red embroidery thread, paper piercer, red and brown chalk ink, decorative scissors-scallop, file, hole punch-small, baker's twine

Thank you so much Roree! I'm sure that you'll want to check out Roree's blog, for lots more Christmasy inspiration. Still to come in December, more from Roree, Michelle Lanning, Morag Cutts and a brand new designer to AllyScraps. Be sure to check back soon. Dana

Ho Ho Home!

2010-12-05T15:14:00.000-05:00

My Christmas came early this year when I received a fabulous kit from AllyScraps.

Onto my project. I've used Very Merry from October Afternoon to create a mini-album (thankfully, Cathy has restocked this fabulous collection). I know many people are journalling their Christmas and this album would be a great way to do that. More pages can be easily added when needed.

I am going to add photos of our christmas spent at home. I love these Silver Foil Thickers - they are super shiny and perfect for holiday projects. You can also see the lovely stickers and sentiments found on the element sticker sheet.

The Maya Road Velvet Blossom is a great accent (I have been after these for a long time).
As I would love to keep a note of our wish lists this year, I've created a tag for each of us featuring a sitcker or journal card. I really ought to have a very BIG tag to fit all my 'wishes' on! The simple tag pocket is created by folding paper around the bottom of the page.

I've left spaces for my photos. I have used one of the journalling tags as a photo mat (they're double-sided). On the right hand side, you can see a lovely Maya Road Kraft Purse Envelope. This will be great to store those little keepsakes. The cute candy Cane and house are from the element sticker sheet.

The reverse of the envelope features a journal card and one of those cute little gingerbread men from the sticker sheet.

As I'm adding my photos later, I've left plenty of space to add them in. I imagine that I'll be able to print some off over the holiday period and have a happy time pasting them in.

It's a great idea to include some shaped pages in the album - keeps things interesting.

To make the Album:
Cut out 2 chipboard covers 6x6. Cover with Story Hour paper. Layer those fabulous stickers from the element sheet. Don't forget to put those gingerbread people on foam tape!
Page 1: Create a concertina rosette from Fill the Stockings. Add sticker sentiment and ribbon.
Page 3: Cover background page with Bake the Cookies. Trim 3" of Fill the Stockings folding over the bottom of the page. Adhere to reverse to form a pocket. Cover die-cut tags with various papers and stickers. Make an extra long one for Mum's wish list!
Page 5: Decorate a Maya Road Kraft Purse envelope with candy cane and die-cut snowflake.

Decorate remaining pages with various papers and stickers. Leave plenty of space for photos if you are adding them later this month. Punch 2 holes throughout the book and bind with book rings or ribbons.

Thanks for popping in.

December sketch contest!!

2010-12-03T20:30:00.000-05:00

It's a super busy month, I know, and it's hard to find time to get much scrapping done. So, I'm going to make it easy for you... with this awesome sketch from our very own Debbie Gaydos. I think this would be perfect for a Christmas layout. PLUS, this is our December contest sketch, so that will be an extra incentive. :) Here's Debbie's sketch. Love it!

The prize, you ask?? As usual Cathy has given us an awesome one. A $20 gift certificate to AllyScraps, LOVE prizes where I get to pick out my own stuff. :)

Of course, there are 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 Wednesday, December 29th at midnight Eastern time. (A little extra time, since December is a busy month.) We will choose a winner soon after. Send your layout to allyscraps@gmail.com. Have fun and good luck.

Be sure to check back soon to see more awesome projects from Roree Rumph, Michelle Lanning and our 2 fabulous December guest designers. Have a great weekend.

~ Dana

Vintage Christmas village.

2010-12-01T22:29:00.000-05:00

Hi and Happy December. :) I just received an e-mail from Linda Albrecht with this gorgeous project, and I had to share it right away!! It's only December 1st, so you have plenty of time to get to work on these and have a set for your very own. They remind me of a Christmas wonderland.

Linda says, "These little vintage style houses are great on top of a box to use for holiday décor and gift giving. They are also a fun size to use for an ornament for your tree. The house patterns can be downloaded at the Victoria Magazine website. They take some time and a little patience, but are worth it in the end. You could also buy pre-made paper mache houses at a craft store."

Instructions:
1. Cut the house pieces from chipboard and patterned papers as desired.
2. Trace and cut out the square window shape onto the chipboard then cut out with an exacto knife.
3. Trace the shape of the window onto the matching patterned paper pieces that will be used for each house.
4. Cut the individual window panes from the patterned paper then adhere the house pieces together with hot glue.
5. Adhere the papers to the house, leaving the roof for the next step.
6. Adhere papers to the roof pieces then place the roofs onto the houses.
7. Fill in any cracks where the roofs and house meet with extra glue and sprinkle on clear glitter to hide any imperfections.
8. The house template pattern does not call for this, but I cut a piece of cardstock and patterned paper as a base for each house to sit on. Adhere the base to the house.
9. Adhere papers to boxes then adhere the houses to the top of the boxes.
10. Apply adhesive to the houses and boxes then sprinkle with clear glitter.
11. Apply additional adhesive to select areas to add Mica Flakes for a snow effect.
12. Add decorative pins or silver beads to the house peaks.
13. Apply white paint to the chipboard snowflakes, punch holes to add to snowflake effect then adhere Mica Flakes and rhinestones to them as desired.
14. Adhere the snowflakes to the back side of the houses and add any additional embellishments to the box tops as desired.
15. Adhere Sticker Shapes as shown. I pressed the sticky backside of the stickers into clear glitter first, then glued them to the house backs and large chipboard snowflakes.
16. Apply additional glitter and rhinestones to the sticker fronts as desired.
17. Poke a slit in the door to add a mini brad for the door handle.
18. Use hot glue to adhere silver pipe cleaners to the edge of the boxes.

Supplies:
Echo Park Life is Good, The Neighborhood
October Afternoon Very Merry, Fill the Stockings
October Afternoon Very Merry, Trim the Tree
Cosmo Cricket Jolly By Golly, Merry Berry
Webster’s Pages Waiting For Santa, Wrapping Paper
We R Memory Keepers Merry January, Flake
We R Memory Keepers Merry January, Slush
We R Memory Keepers Merry January, Twig
October Afternoon Very Merry Shape Stickers
Maya Road Chipboard Snowflake Coaster
Maya Road Trinket Pins, Crystals
Maya Road Vintage Crochet Trim- Baby Pom Pom
We R Memory Keepers Merry January Collection, Flocked Lace
Craft Supplies:
House templates downloaded from: http://magazine-directory.com/Victoria.htm
glitter, Mica Flakes, bottle brush trees, rhinestones, jingle bells, silver pipe cleaners, mini brads, plain chipboard

Thanks so much Linda, for your gorgeous work, your detailed instructions and your monthly inspiration! Looking forward to your next project, of course.

Hey, I almost forgot. YES, we are having a December sketch contest. Check back on Friday, when I'll post all the details. Have a great day. Dana

Merry Christmas cards from Michelle Lanning

2010-11-29T22:33:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Michelle Lanning is back with 2 beautiful Christmas cards for you. Take a look and be impressed!

Merry Christmas Card
Echo Park Merry Christmas Collection Winter Wonderland (back)
Echo Park Merry Christmas Collection Element Stickers
thread, bling

White Christmas Card
Melissa Frances Home for the Holidays 6x6 paper pad
Melissa Frances Rub Ons (Vintage Transfers)
ribbon, plastic for ornament, bling and snowflake punch

Thanks so much Michelle!! Love these Christmas cards. Keep checking back this week, as we'll be featuring more projects by Linda Albrecht and Roree Rumph.

By the way, you might have heard this week that the AllyScraps store in Indiana will be closing soon. We're very sad, but want to let you know that the AllyScraps internet store will NOT be closing!! The internet store and the blog are going strong! Thanks for your support. :)

~ Dana

November Sketch Contest Winner!!!

2010-11-27T12:22:00.000-05:00

Hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving with your families. I'm still enjoying lots of leftovers and a really fun weekend of relaxing (and shopping too, of course).

We had an awesome turnout for out November sketch contest, and as usual it was a tough decision to pick a winner. But, we did, and the winner is Suzanne S. We loved her take on the sketch, the cute bus border and the fun title. Big congrats to Suzanne!!

Here is Debbie's fun sketch!

We'll have lots of great Christmasy inspiration this week at AllyScraps. Fun projects from Michelle Lanning, Roree Rumph and soon from Morag Cutts and Linda Albrecht too!

Hey, have you checked out the store recently?? Love me some new scrappy stuff! Two new lines from October Afternoon, cool boy line from Echo Park, a new festive line from My Little Shoebox and some gorgeous stuff from Webster's Pages. Check out all of the new stuff, right here.

See you soon. Dana

Christmas (cupcake) tradition, PLUS a bonus sketch!!

2010-11-23T13:26:00.000-05:00

Lots of good stuff for you today on the AllyScraps blog. First of all, Michelle Lanning is back, with this adorable layout titled "a cupcake tradition"! Isn't this cute? I just love the way she used the border punch, and the fun layering of papers. Super cute title too!

Michelle used this beautiful patterned paper for her layout. Melissa Frances Home for the Holidays mini paper pad. Love all the great details. Check out Michelle's blog for even more Christmasy inspiration.

Here is a November BONUS sketch just for you from our friend Debbie Gaydos. Hope you'll have a little scrappy time this weekend, and put it to good use. Thanks Debbie.

Oh, and speaking of sketches... tune in this weekend, when we'll announce the winner of our November sketch contest. Lots of awesome entries to choose from, can't wait to show your the winner.

Best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving from AllyScraps to you. ~ Dana

Wrap it up!

2010-11-19T22:06:00.000-05:00

First, let me say that if I got a gift wrapped up like this... I couldn't bear to open it. (Heaven forbid I tear the wrappings!!!) Roree Rumph has done it again, with this beautiful gift bag and gift box combination. A perfect way to give a very special gift, with very special wrappings!!

Bow
1. Cut eleven 4 x 3/4" strips from the pink polka dot patterned paper. Distress the edges with a file.
2. With one of the strips, hold the each end of the strip with thumb and forefinger with the striped side facing towards you. Bend the strip down and toward you, keeping the ends stripe side up. Adhere the ends of the paper strip together. Make nine more of these looped paper strips. For the last strip, make a circular loop, and adhere the ends together.
3. On a 1 1/2" square scrap piece of paper, adhere five of the looped paper strips in a star-shaped pattern. Adhere the next five looped strips in a star-shaped pattern offsetting them just a bit from the bottom layer. Lastly, adhere circle strip to the center of the bow to finish.

Gift Bag (bag size: 5 1/4" (9" with handles) x 4" x 2", purchased at Target)
1. Cut the blue polka dot patterned paper to 3 x 3 1/2" and the stripe patterned paper to 1 3/4 x 3 1/2". Adhere the panels to the Kraft bag.
2. Cut out a 1 1/4 x 3 1/2" peppermint candy strip from the border strips patterned paper. Attach a white brad to the center of each peppermint candy, and adhere the paper strip to the bag where the two previous panels meet.
3. Cut two 3 1/2" long strips from the scalloped border sticker, and adhere the stickers to the top and bottom of the blue polka dot patterned paper panel.
4. Apply the rub-on sentiment, letter stickers, and threaded button for the greeting.
5. Attach the finished chipboard mitten tag to the gift bag.
6. After adding the gift and crinkle shreds/tissue paper to the bag, tie a bow to hold the bag handles together with green ribbon.

Gift Box (box size: 2 1/2" square, made using Cricut Expression and Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridge)
1. Cut six 2 1/4" square panels from the blue polka dot patterned paper. Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the panels to each side of the Kraft box.
2. Adhere the pink polka dot bow to the top of the box. Hang the Santa's Hat tag from the top of the box.

Mitten Tag
1. Cover the mitten chipboard with multi-color patterned paper for the mitten and graph patterned paper for the cuff. Distress the edges with a file.
2. Attach the cardstock label sticker to the chipboard mitten.
3. Cut out a snowflake from the snowflake patterned paper. Attach the snowflake to the mitten chipboard with a white brad.
4. Punch a hole at the corner with a hole punch to thread with baker's twine.

Santa's Hat Tag
1. Cover the Santa's hat chipboard with peppermint candy patterned paper for the hat and graph patterned paper for the brim and ball. Distress the edges with a file.
2. Attach the cardstock label sticker to the hat's brim.
3. Cut out a holly leaves from the holly garland patterned paper. Adhere the leaves to the chipboard, and attach red brad of varying sizes to the hat for the holly berries.
4. Punch a hole at the top with a hole punch to thread with baker's twine.

Supplies
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Snowman
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Garland
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Bright Stripes
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Wrapping Paper
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Borders
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Journaling Cards
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Element Stickers
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Alpha Stickers
October Afternoon Fly A Kite Collection, Lemonade
Maya Road, Chipboard Keychain, Christmas Shapes
Maya Road Scallop Dot Ribbon, Green
Melissa Frances Home For The Holidays Collection Christmas Traditions Transfers
Jillibean Collection Bakers Twine, Red/Brown
Other supplies
Gift bag, Kraft cardstock, green button, red thread, white and red brads

Aren't Roree's instructions the BEST!! I know I could make these with such clear and easy to follow directions. :) Thanks Roree.

Hey, how about a little prize for our lovely blog followers. We really appreciate your comments and we'd like to show you a little love back. Our latest winner is Char!! We can't wait to send you a little scrappy prize! So, send your contact information to allyscraps@gmail.com and we get a little treat in the mail to you.

Thanks for stopping by, another beautiful layout from Michelle Lanning coming up soon. Dana

November sketch contest reminder!

2010-11-17T23:18:00.000-05:00

I almost forgot about the sketch contest for November!! It's so busy here, it's easy to let the date slip by you, so here is your official November sketch reminder. :) Here is the sketch.

Here are the awesome prizes.

And, here are the rules!

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.

~ Dana

A big AllyScraps welcome to Michelle Lanning!

2010-11-16T11:10:00.000-05:00

We are SO pleased to welcome Michelle Lanning to our AllyScraps family of guest designers. We've been eyeing her gorgeous layouts for quite a while, and are so happy that she agreed to join us! Here is Michelle....

Hello there! My name is Michelle Lanning and I am so excited to be here guesting at Ally Scraps! I am a full time mom, teacher and have been lucky enough to call scrapbooking one of my hobby-turned job. I love taking photographs and getting those memories down on pretty paper and scrapbooking them! Really what better way to share stories than through the art of scrapbooking? I love it! I am so excited to spend the month sharing and creating here at Ally Scraps. Thanks so much for this opportunity.

I told you all that we were celebrating all scrapbooking that is Christmasy this month, and Michelle's layout is no exception. Love these fun pictures, super paper choices and beautiful design. (And WOW, that is one good Santa. :)) Take a look at all of the details.

Supplies
Echo Park Merry Christmas Collection
Jolly Stripe, Christmas Carol, Border Strips, Home for the Holidays, Element Stickers

Thanks so much Michelle! I'm lucky enough to already have Michelle's next blog project, and boy is it pretty, can't wait for you to see it!! See you soon, Dana

PS Keep those comments coming! I'll choose a winner this week from those who comment for a fun scrappy prize!

Magic of the Season

2010-11-13T12:37:00.000-05:00

Hey, guess who's back this month at AllyScraps?? It's Roree Rumph, and boy are we excited. She's promised tons of Christmasy inspiration,and since we're focusing on Christmas this month, it's perfect timing! :)

Roree's created two sweet and festive cards to share with us this weed.

Happiness and Joy
1. Make a 3 3/4 x 5 1/4" card from off-white cardstock.
2. Cut the graph patterned paper to 2 3/4 x 5 1/4". Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the panel to the top of the card.
3. Cut the blue patterned paper to 1 x 5 1/4". Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the panel to the bottom of the card.
4. Cut a 1/2 x 5 1/4" strip from the green patterned paper, and use decorative scissors to scallop one edge. Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the strip where the graph patterned paper panel and blue patterned paper panel meet.
5. Cut a tree branch shape from a 1 1/2 x 4 1/2" panel of brown cardstock. Adhere the shape to the card, leaving the center where the ornaments will hang adhesive-free. Adhere the bird sticker just above the tree branch shape.
6. Adhere some baker's twine to the back of the ornament stickers, adhere the stickers in place, thread the twine under the tree branch shape, and tie bows for each. Trim the ends.
7. Apply the rub-on sentiment to the bottom right corner of the graph patterned paper panel.
8. Cut out 4 snowflakes fro the blue snowflake patterned paper. Cut one of the snowflakes in half. Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the snowflakes to the card.

Magic of the Season
1. Make a 5 1/4 x 3 3/4" card from off-white cardstock.
2. Cut the multi-dot patterned paper to 3/4 x 3 3/4". Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the panel to the top of the card.
3. Cut the blue patterned paper to 3 x 3 3/4". Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the panel just below the multi-dot paper panel.
4. Cut two panels from the graph patterned paper: one at 2 1/2 x 3 3/4" and one at 1 3/4 x 3 3/4". Cut a wavy edge along the top of both panels, distress the edges with a file, and layer and adhere the panels to the bottom of the card.
5. Cut two 1/2 x 3 3/4" strips from the green patterned paper, and use decorative scissors to scallop one edge of each. Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the strips along the top of the blue patterned paper panel and along the bottom edge of the card.
6. Apply the rub-on sentiment to the top corner of the blue patterned paper panel.
7. Attach brown brads to the snowman cardstock stickers, and layer and adhere the snowmen to the card, tucking the them just under the edge of the top graph patterned paper panel.
8. Cut out 3 snowflakes fro the blue snowflake patterned paper. Distress the edges with a file, and adhere the snowflakes to the card.

Supplies
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Snowman
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Christmas Bells
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Wrapping Paper
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Borders
Echo Park Paper Everybody Loves Christmas Collection, Element Stickers
October Afternoon Fly A Kite Collection, Lemonade
Melissa Frances Home For The Holidays Collection, Christmas Traditions Transfers
Jillibean Collection, Bakers Twine, Red/Brown

I guess this means that it's time to start making some Christmas cards!! Thanks Roree, can't wait to see your next project. Dana

PS There is some great new stuff in the store. Pink Paislee, Webster's Pages and WeRMemory Keepers! Cute.

"Let it Snow" penguin.

2010-11-10T23:43:00.000-05:00

Jennifer Beason's sweet creatures just warm my heart! This adorable penguin is looking up to the sky just wishing for snow, he is just amazing. The colors, the detail, the whimsy!!

Instructions
1. Cut the top off the paper mache egg. (This will leave a hole, so the head will be able to rest on top.) Cut off the hanging part of the ornament. Don't worry about this hole, as it will get covered with paper.
2. Cut out enough scalloped border strips on the Silhouette to cover the body and head of the penguin.
3. After marking out in pencil, where the beak, tummy area and face of you penguin will be, begin to cover the ornament and egg with the border strips. Use torn patterned paper pieces to cover the face and beak area. Adhere the body and head together. and allow to dry.
4. Cut a paper strip large enough to go around the penguin's neck. Apply a generous amount of Mod Podge to the back of the strip and apply to the neck area. While applying make creases and folds in the paper. Cut two more strips, for the ends of the scarf. Apply crochet trim to the end of each strips and adhere the two pieces to the right side of the scarf. Embellish the scarf with tulle and a glitter covered snowflake. Add some glue and push a Trinket Pin in the center of the snowflake and directly into the penguin.
5. Draw then cut out two flippers from raw chipboard. Cover the back and front of each wing with patterned paper. Adhere the flippers to the body of the penguin.
Use the tips of large chipboard wings to create the feet of the bird. Cover with patterned paper. Set aside.
6. Create a hat by making a long cone shape. Scrunch the cone, then apply crochet trim around it. (The white trim was spritzed with buttermilk cream Maya Mist first.) Use another strip of paper to make the folded opening of the hat. Cover this strip with smaller strips placed vertically. Stitch two felt pom poms to the end of the hat. Adhere the pieces of the hat together and apply to the penguin's head.
7. Embellish the hat with a glitter covered snowflake and gems.
8. Cut three fish from some raw chipboard. Cover with paper and glitter, then use some wire to attach them to the penguin's flipper.
9. Add two black pearls for the eyes and parts of a mini scroll and feathers to the face.
10. Cover the lid and bottom of a medium sized box with patterned paper. Adhere swirl die-cut paper to the top of the box lid. Adhere border strips around the top edge of the lid (This border is the negative part of the scalloped strips used for the penguins body.) Also apply a different border stip about three quarters of the way up the box.
11. Cut lettering out on the Silhouette machine and adhered it to each side of the box lid.
12. Adhere the penguin and his feet to the top of the box.
13. Adhere felt balls and star Tinket Pins to the top of the box. Tip: If this is going to be used as a gift box add some foam to the inside of the of the lid, so that the ends of pins will be concealed and will not injure anyone.

Supplies
Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather Collection - Flurries
Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather Collection - Jack Frost
Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather Collection - Woolens
Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather Collection - Deck The Hollies
Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather Collection - Festivities
Pink Paislee Queen Bee Collection - Worker Bee
Pink Paislee Queen Bee Collection - Bees Wax
Maya Road - Vintage Crochet Trim - Baby Pom Pom, White
Maya Road Trinket Pins
Maya Road Trinket Pins - Crystal Stars
Maya Road Mini Chipboard Set - Snowflakes
Maya Road Mini Chipboard Set, Scrolls
Other Supplies:
Maya Road Mist - Buttermilk Cream
Maya Road Chipboard Wings Sheet
Plaid - Matte Mod Podge
Samantha Walker - Silhouette Files (Borders Wacky Set and Scallop Circle Border Set)
Samantha Walker - Swirl Die Cut Cardstock for Creative Imaginations
6" paper mache egg, paper mache ornament, paper mache box, tulle ribbon, feathers, felt balls, black pearls, gems, glitter, wire and raw chipboard.

Although Jennifer is finished with her October designing for AllyScraps, don't you worry! We already have her booked to come back. :) Thank you Jennifer for your creativity, your inspiriation and your completely detailed instructions that make us feel like we can create these works of art. Be sure to check out Jennifer's awesome blog to see more of her lovely creations. See you soon! Dana

"Vintage Christmas Wall Swag" by Linda Albrecht

2010-11-08T22:39:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to Linda Albrecht, one of our very favorite designers at AllyScraps. She's brought us such a wonderful Christmasy project... just in time to get us in the mood for a month featuring lots of Christmas at AllyScraps. Here's Linda!

And, here is Linda's vintage Christmas wall swag. I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do.

Instructions:
1. Cover the Backdrop pieces with patterned papers and add a tag that
you cut from the 12x12 Elements paper. Distress paper edges with
sandpaper and light brown ink.
2. Cut 15 strips from patterned papers that measure 1x12" and 1.5x12"
then accordion fold them at 1/4" intervals (be approximate, no need to
measure.)
3. Adhere the ends of the accordion folded paper strips together,
flatten out and form into a pinwheel circle (I use hot glue for this to
make the process faster.) Add a button and rhinestone to the center to
hide the glue. Set aside for later use.
4. Layer and adhere 3 of the Gingerbread Man chipboard pieces together,
use acrylic paint to cover surface, adhere ric rac pieces, buttons and
brads as shown. Add painted eyes and heart shaped brads for cheeks.
You will make a total of 2 Gingerbread men using the chipboard coaster
pieces. Cut 2 hats from patterned paper then adhere them to chipboard
to make sturdier, apply glitter to the hats then glue them onto the
Gingerbread men. Set aside for later use.
5. For the Label Style Backdrop: Adhere one of the Gingerbread Men onto
the top center of the piece. Paint and glitter a chipboard snowflake
then adhere it to the lower left outside corner of the piece. Adhere 5
of the paper pinwheels to the backdrop and one Velvet Pleat. Apply
Vintage Transfer words as desired then apply medium sized red
rhinestones onto the background paper at random.
6. For the Circle Backdrop: Adhere a bottle brush tree to the center of
the piece (I cut a portion off of the backside to make it lay flat.)
Paint a large chipboard snowflake white, apply glitter the adhere it to
the backdrop to the right of the tree, adhere a button and rhinestone to
the center of the snowflake. Apply Vintage Transfer word as desired.
Adhere 4 paper pinwheels and 1 Velvet Pleat to the left side of the
backdrop as shown. Add medium sized red brads to some of the Holly
berries on the background patterned paper and a few medium sized red
rhinestones at random.
7. Rectangle Scalloped Backdrop: Adhere a chipboard house that has been
covered in patterned paper to the left side of the backdrop piece.
Paint 2 chipboard snowflakes white then apply glitter and adhere one to
to the house and one to the center right side of the piece. Adhere Mica
Flakes and glitter to the house. Adhere a label from the 12x12 Elements
paper next to the right side of the house then apply Vintage Transfer
words. Adhere a large pink button with a red rhinestone added to the
center to the roof peak. Adhere the remaining chipboard Gingerbread Man
to the right side of the backdrop piece. Adhere 4 paper pinwheels and 1
Velvet Pleat to the backdrop as shown.
8. Adhere patterned papers to a chipboard star, apply glitter and a red
brad then adhere it to the backdrop under the 2 bottom pinwheels.
9. Punch small holes for wiring the pieces together and for the top wire
handle.
10. Adhere a pinwheel at the left side end of the handle.

Ally Scraps Supplies:
Cosmo Cricket "Jolly by Golly" paper, Breezy Freezy
Cosmo Cricket "Jolly by Golly" paper, Smitten Mitten
Cosmo Cricket "Jolly by Golly" paper, Merry Berry
Cosmo Cricket "Jolly by Golly" paper, Play Day
Cosmo Cricket "Jolly by Golly" Collection 12x12 Elements
October Afternoon "Very Merry" paper, Carols
October Afternoon "Very Merry" paper, Wrap the Presents
Echo Park "Everybody Loves Christmas" paper, Wrapping Paper
Echo Park "Everybody Loves Christmas" paper, Garland
Melissa Frances Chipboard Snowflakes
Melissa Frances Deck the Halls Transfers
Melissa Frances Backdrops- Circle, Label Style, Rectangle with Scallops
Maya Road Velvet Pleats, Sky Blue and Turquoise
Maya Road Chipboard Coaster, Gingerbread Man
Jenni Bowlin Vintage Style Sew on Buttons, Pink
Kaiser Craft Self Adhesive Rhinestones, Red
Other:
Pink Bottle Brush tree
Cream and black buttons
Clear Rhinestones
Mica Flakes and Clear Glitter
Light brown inkpad
Silver Pipecleaner
Miscellaneous brads
Mini White ric rac trim

Thank you so much Linda, your projects are always such an inspiration. Now, it's time to Christmas craft. :)

~ Dana

Hello beautiful.

2010-11-07T15:35:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to share what I've been working on lately.

I love this gorgeous paper by Bella Blvd., it's their Hello Beautiful line. I loved it so much in fact, I ordered some more of it. :) The alpha & bits stickers were especially fun to work with.

Thanks for taking a look, enjoy your Sunday. Dana

A new month at AllyScraps.

2010-11-04T13:32:00.000-04:00

It's November, which means a new month of designers here at AllyScraps... we'll have awesome projects from Melissa Phillips, Linda Albrecht, Roree Rumph and a brand new designer to our blog. We'll be featuring Christmas in November, so you'll certainly want to stop by for inspiration. :)

Before we move on the November designers though, let's say a big thank you to Becky Fleck for her awesome October designs! :) Here's one last project from Becky. She used papers by Jillibean Soup for this cute card. Thanks so much Becky, for sharing with us all month.

We really appreciate all the people who visit our blog... but we wish many more of you would tell us what you think of the projects we feature! So once again, we'll be doing some giveaways, with the winners taken right from people who comment on our blog. Hope you'll leave some love for our awesome designers.

I've already chosen one winner, it's CINDY!! Hey Cindy, thanks for commenting frequently. Please send your full name and contact information to allyscraps@gmail.com and we'll send you out a little scrappy prize.

Thanks for stopping by, see you soon! Dana