OMG! (I need to do this layout!)

This layout by Becky Fleck is just TOO funny. I need to do one of these, because this is taking place in my house as we speak! :) I love the simple lines of this page, but with PLENTY to catch your eye and keep the focus on the fun picture at the same time.



Supplies
Bella Blvd. Midterm, text me
Bella Blvd. Midterm, physics
Bella Blvd. Midterm, borders and blocks
Bella Blvd. Midterm, Steve's keys
Maya Road envelopes

Thanks so much Becky!! Awesome layout.

~ Dana

Birdhouse card set by Roree Rumph

Wow, these birdhouse cards are ADORABLE!! A big thank you to Roree Rumph for her awesome designs and inspiration this month at AllyScraps. We're so sad that this is her last project for now... but we've already asked her to come back, and she's agreed. :) Be sure to check out Roree's blog for even more inspiration.



Home
1. Cut the yellow patterned paper to 7 1/2 x 4". From the top center of the panel, cut over to the left and right sides of the paper (about 2" down). From that point, taper in to the bottom of the panel (about 3/4" in) on each side. This will give you an elongated pentgon shape. Make a card using the panel as a template. Adhere the panel to the card.
2. Cut two strips of brown patterned paper to 3/4 x 4". Adhere the strips to the top of the card for the roof line, and trim off the excess.
3. Cut out a 2" scalloped circle from blue patterned paper and a 1 5/8" circle from graph patterned paper. Layer and adhere the circles, chipboard heart, flower (hand cut from floral patterned paper), and brad to the card front.
4. Paint the chipboard letters with acrylic paint, 2-3 coats, and let dry.
5. Adhere the bird die-cut to the card. Adhere the chipboard letters and button for the sentiment, and hand sew cross stitches at opposite corners of the die-cut with brown embroidery thread.




Sweet Home
1. Cut the graph patterned paper to 6" square. From the top center of the panel, cut over to the left and right sides of the paper (about 3 1/4" down). From that point, taper in to the bottom of the panel (about 3/4" in) on each side. This will give you an pentgon shape. Make a card using the panel as a template. Adhere the panel to the card.
2. Cut two strips of blue patterned paper to 1 x 5 1/2", using decorative scissors to scallop one edge of each. Hand sew cross stitches on each scallop with brown embroidery thread. Adhere the strips to the top of the card for the roof line, and trim off the excess.
3. Cut a 3/4 x 5 1/2" strip from the brown patterned paper, round the corners, and adhere the strip to the bottom of the card.
4. Cut out a 2 3/8" scalloped circle from gingham die-cut. Layer and adhere the circle and cardstock sticker to the card front.
5. Paint the chipboard letters with acrylic paint, 2-3 coats, and let dry.
6. Apply the rub-on and adhere the chipboard letters and button for the sentiment.
7. Hand cut two flowers from the floral patterned paper. Hand cut four leaf shapes from green patterned paper. Layer and adhere the leaves, flowers, and brads under the sentiment.




Supplies
October Afternoon Thrift Shop Collection, The Great Find
October Afternoon Fly A Kite Collection, Picnic Table
October Afternoon Fly A Kite Collection, Lemonade
October Afternoon Fly A Kite Collection, Garden
October Afternoon Fly A Kite Collection, Dandelions
October Afternoon Fly A Kite Collection Journaling Cards
October Afternoon Fly A Kite Collection Word Stickers
Maya Road Mini Chipboard Set, Bethany Alphabet

We're looking forward to a busy month here at AllyScraps. We have layouts from Becky Fleck (as well as her sketch contest), projects from Melissa Phillips and Linda Albrecht and another awesome NEW designer to our blog. Hope you'll check back on Wednesday and all week. Oh, and don't forget, we're still awarding scrappy prizes just for commenting on the blog... so don't forget to say hello!

~ Dana

A big AllyScraps welcome to Becky Fleck, and a new sketch contest too!

It's October 1st, a new scrappy month and time for an awesome new sketch contest at AllyScraps. First of all, let me introduct Becky Fleck, wonderful sketch artist and an awesome scrapbooker too!



Becky Fleck is the owner of the PageMaps web site, which provides scrapbook layout and greeting card sketches to over 20,000 readers each month. She is also the author of the best-selling book Scrapbook PageMaps and Scrapbook PageMaps 2 (available October 2010). Becky is a professional graphic illustrator, freelancing for several scrapbook and stamp manufacturers. She teaches extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally at expos, scrapbook stores and conventions. She lives in the beautiful Stillwater Valley of southeast Montana with her husband and furry retrievers.



A big, big welcome to Becky, we're so glad to have you here at AllyScraps.

We're doing the sketch contest a little differently this month. It will be run from Becky's sketch site, Pagemaps. To enter the contest this month, create a layout based on this sketch,any size, any orientation, any way you want to interpret it,using any products you would like. Post a link to your entry in the comments section of the Pagemaps blog and you're entered!

The contest starts today and ends at midnight, Sunday, October 24th (MST). This contest is open to everyone, everywhere. Here's Becky's sketch, LOVE IT!



And the prize, you ask??? It's a biggie, one I think you're really going to enjoy! A $35!!! dollar gift certificate to the AllyScraps store. Woweeee.



Best of luck with this contest, and HAVE FUN! Don't forget to submit based on the Pagemaps guidelines. Can't wait to see your layouts. :)

Have a great weekend and be sure to check back soon, more projects from Cari Fennell, Roree Rumph and Becky Fleck to be posted very soon! Dana

Play banner!

This adorable "PLAY" banner from Cari Fennell is so much fun. I especially like that you could adjust the design easily to spell out any word that you like. Love all the ribbons and the vintage details.





Instructions
Using the Maya Road Banner set, I painted the scalloped pieces to match the color scheme of the October Afternoon papers I used. The plain panels were covered in different patterned papers from the Fly A Kite paper line.
I punched out large circles and placed them in the centers of the banner panels. I painted chipboard letters and placed them in the circle centers. I cut off the envelope flaps from the Maya Road Kraft envelope sets. I glued them to the back of each panel and decorated with lace, vintage buttons, pins and flowers. I added little strawberry accents that matched the papers perfectly. All of the panels are connected with brown pink polka dotted ribbon. I also added little pieces of ribbons tied in knots on the ends. I just love how this came together and I plan to give it to my son's teacher as a gift for her classroom.




Supplies
Maya Road chipboard album, pennant
Maya Road felt badges, fruit
Maya Road kraft envelopes
Maya Road resin blossoms, cream
October Afternoon, Go Fly a Kite papers - strawberry jam, front porch, sprinklers

Thanks SO much Cari, we love this project. :)

Ready for the AllyScraps October sketch contest?? Well, you'll have to check back on Friday to see all the latest details. We have a special guest artist, and WOW, wait until you see the prize. See you Friday.

~ Dana

Life is Good mini album

In all my time at AllyScraps, I've had the pleasure to post amazing works by so many wonderful women on this blog. Truly gorgeous projects every week. This is one of my very favorites, beautifully simple but engaging on EVERY page. Check out Roree Rumph's Life is Good mini album, you'll be amazed.




Instructions:
Cover
1. Paint the chipboard cover with off-white acrylic paint, multiple coats, and let dry.
2. Hand stitch each plank on the chipboard cover with off-white embroidery thread.
3. Adhere the cardstock sticker for the title to the chipboard cover with 3-d foam adhesive.
4. Cut out flowers and leaf shapes from patterned paper, and distress the edges with a file. Layer the leaf shapes, flowers, and buttons, and adhere the flowers to the chipboard cover.
5. Punch two holes on the right plank of the chipboard cover. Thread ribbon through the holes, then thread again, and knot and trim each end.



Page 1
1. Cover the chipboard page with patterned paper, and distress the edges with a file.
2. Apply the cardstock and letter stickers to the page.
3. Cut out two cloud shapes from patterned paper. Hand stitch both shapes with off-white embroidery thread. Layer and adhere the clouds to the page.
4. Cover the chipboard heart with patterned paper, add a cross stitch with blue embroidery thread, and adhere the heart to the page.








Pages 2-7
1. Cover the chipboard page with patterned paper, and distress the edges with a file.
2. Adhere 2 3/4 x 4" photo to the page.
3. Adhere a 5 3/4" strip of striped patterned paper to the page.
4. Adhere the cardstock and letter stickers to the page.
5. Cut out flowers and leaf shapes from patterned paper, and distress the edges with a file. Layer the leaf shapes, flowers, and buttons, and adhere the flowers to the page.
Assemble the album with binder rings.

Supply List:
Maya Road picket fence chipboard mini book
Echo Park Paper Life Is Good Collection, Floral Dress
Echo Park Paper Life Is Good Collection, Brown Floral
Echo Park Paper Life Is Good Collection, The Neighborhood
Echo Park Paper Life Is Good Collection, Simple Stripes
Echo Park Paper Life Is Good Collection, Bold Stripes
Echo Park Paper Life Is Good Collection, Seeing Spots
Echo Park Paper Life Is Good Collection, Set The Table
Echo Park Paper Life Is Good Collection, Happy Borders
Echo Park Paper Life Is Good Collection, Elements
Echo Park Paper Life Is Good Collection, Stickers
October Afternoon Fly A Kite Collection, Picnic Table
October Afternoon Fly A Kite Collection Word Stickers
Jenni Bowlin Collection, Vintage Style Sew-On Buttons, Orange
American Crafts Thickers, Poolside Grapefruit
American Crafts Thickers, Poolside Blue

Thanks so much Roree. I'm inspired! Dana