Nichol Spohr LLC

love cards.

I have mentioned that I am teaching a year long class at Two Peas In A Bucket called Celebrate the Seasons but did you know that there are four more great free year-long classes in addition to mine? 

Photoshop Elements with Sande Krieger on the 10th of every month

A Year in Cards with Kristina Werner on the 15th of each month

A Year of You with Robyn Werlich on the 20th of each month

and

Super Sketches with Kelly Purkey on the 25th of every month

I just love that these classes cover a wide variety of topics with a wide variety of styles and the fact that they are free doesn't hurt either!

I played around with the sketches from Kristina's class, A Year in Cards this afternoon. I have not been making as many cards as I'd like to lately and the sketches provided with the class gave me a great jump-start to some fun Valentine's Day cards. :) I just love the red/pink/kraft color combination. 

For the square card, I cut a regular kraft notecard into a 4" square and dry embossed the front of the card with the Cuttlebug, then I stamped and embellished. :)

Supplies:

Forever in My Heart Stamp Set, Sealed with a Kiss Stamp Set (Stampin' Up)

Scallop Punch (Stampin' Up)

Inks (Memories Black, Ranger Worn Lipstick Distress Ink, Stampin' Up Riding Hood Red, Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette)

Patterned Paper (Making Memories)

Embossed Cardstock (Bazzill)

Other (String, Pop Dots, Red Colored Pencil)

For this card I embossed the front of the card with the Cuttlebug and then embellished with punched strips, punched circles and stamped butterflies.

Supplies:

Flight of the Butterfly Stamp Set Stamp Set, Forever in My Heart Stamp Set (Stampin' Up)

Scallop Punch (Stampin' Up)

Patterned Papers (Making Memories)

Inks (Stampin' Up Pink Piroutette, Stampin' Up Riding Hood Red)

Other (Circle Punches, Liquid Pearls, String, Pop Dots)

Playing with all these Stampin' Up stamps made me so excited to place my order for new SU goodies on the 1st. :) I have a long wishlist. Here's a peek at some of the highlights on my list:

Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die  what can I say? I am addicted to butterflies!

Cheep Talk Stamp Set  CUTE!

Corduroy Buttons  love corduroy texture and they come in several fun colors...yum.

Trendy Trees Stamp Set  I am a sucker for cute tree stamps.

Bag w/ Scallops Bigz XL Die (I am thinking Valentine's treat bags will be really cute this year!)

If you're looking to place an order for Stampin' Up goodies, hold out until the first. Any orders placed between Feb. 1st - March 31st will receive a free catalog no matter how much your order. The catalog is always worth a look...so many gorgeous samples. :) Also, starting Feb. 1st Sale-a-bration starts and you can earn a free set out of the Sale-a-bration catalog for every $50 worth of goodies you order. :) I am always game for extra free goodies! 

eta: If you're looking for someone to order your Stampin' Up goodies from I recommend, Robyn. HERE is a link to her online store. :)

Have a great evening!

a birthday card.

A couple of weeks ago my dad celebrated his 60th birthday. :)

This is just a quick card I made for him. I stashed a Mr. GoodBean gift card in it so he could pick up a yummy coffee or two. 

Supplies:

Patterned Papers (MM, Narratives & Bo Bunny)

Label Die (Sizzix exclusive die for Stampin' Up)

Stamps (Hero Arts)

Other (Circle Punches & String)

Just a simple little card using masculine colors. I sometimes find it harder to create cards for men since I love using flowers and gems and all things "girly" but I thought that the combination of colors and stamps worked great for my dad. All these papers were just scraps from projects I had recently done that were just lying around my work table so I just grabbed them and I made this card in less than 10 minutes! 

Have a great Tuesday!

do stuff today.

I have had multiple requests to share how I created THIS album cover. It is one of my favorites that I've ever done and I decided to duplicate the technique on this 8 1/2" x 11" 3-ring binder from Making Memories.

This binder serves to house all the random layouts, sketches and inspiring things I tear out of magazines, print off from the internet, etc. I have been collecting these items for awhile and was finally inspired to get going on actually being able to use my binder by Jana and Jennifer (both of whom keep similar books). 

Here is the how-to video:

Supplies:

Paint (MM Funky Vintage Deep Sea, MM Specialty Clear Glaze, Lil Davis Ice Glitter Glaze)

Binder, Felt Flowers, Buttons (Making Memories)

Chipboard (MM, CK, Heidi Swapp, Fancy Pants)

Felt Ribbon (Creative Cafe)

Other (String, Straight Pin)

Now my little inspiration binder is functional AND pretty!

Have a great weekend!

Cuttlebug Diecutting

In continuation of my posts on getting the most out of your diecutting machines, here is a new video showing how you can use Quickutz dies and Sizzix dies with your Cuttlebug machine. 

My hope is in showing you these videos is that it opens up your possibilities for using other dies with the die-cutting machine you currently own. :)

I'm always happy to answer any questions you might have so feel free to post in the comments section.

In other news:

Here's a continuation of the new products that will be making their way to my home as soon as they are in stock at 2peas! ;)

October Afternoon Cherry Hill (It's October Afternoon, need I say more? I adore this company!)

October Afternoon Ducks in a Row (so stinkin cute!)

I am heading out to California tomorrow but I have set up several blog posts to go up while I'm gone. One is a super fun project and video showing how to create an album cover that several of you have been asking me to share. :) That will go up on Monday. 

I finished up the layout and video for next month's Celebrate the Seasons free class at 2peas. I really love the layout and hope you all do too. Don't forget you can join in at any time, it's FREE, there is a sketch, video, pdf printout and new layout on the 5th of each month. :)

I'll be back tomorrow with some more shares!

Layout of the Day + more Q&A

I have the layout of the day today over at 2Peas. It is focusing on the Creative Cafe Glitter Papers. I think I've mentioned it before but I really adore any and all specialty papers and these are in some really yummy colors. I make mine stretch as far as possible (since they are a bit pricey) by using them in small doses on my layouts, usually with diecutting. :)

(c)Two Peas In A Bucket

Click HERE for supply list and details.

I also wanted to touch on just a few more questions I've received. I post the questions & answers here in case more people are curious about the same things and want to know the answers. I also started a category for this on my blog and you can access Q&A blog posts by clicking on that category HERE. I am in the process of going through my older blog posts and adding them to this section. I will finish that up when I get back from CHA in California next week. :)

Q&A:

Q: I love what you did for your first 3 weeks (of Project 365) and i'm dying to see that twilight addict page!

A: The finished Twilight Addict layout will go up in the 2Peas Garden on the first of February! It's one of my favorite layouts I've ever done about ME. I usually don't scrapbook as much about myself as I should. ;)

Q: What scanner do you use?

A: Epson Perfection 2580 Photo Scanner. I have had it for a couple of years now and it works great. It also scans in film negatives which is great for people like me who have made the switch to digital but still have some older photos that are on film that you want to manipulate or work on in PhotoShop. This model is discontinued however here is the newer model that looks similar in style and function: Epson Perfection 4490 Photo Scanner.

Q: How are you printing on your journaling cards (for Project 365)?

A: I am feeding them through my printer. I set up templates for both the small journaling cards and the longer ones in Microsoft Word and then I just type up my journaling and print. I do adjust the margins, etc. a bit for some of the journaling cards and I find that my printer prints straighter on larger paper so I apply a tiny bit of adhesive to a plain piece of printer paper and temporarily adhere the journaling card to the plain paper to feed through my printer. 

Q: Do you use rub-on's for the date at the top (for Project 365 weekly date cards)?

A: I am using a Heidi Swapp date stamp but rub-ons would work as well. (The date stamp is a couple years old, not sure if it's available any longer or not, sorry!) You could also set up a document in a word processing program to print the date on the cards.

Q: I saw your video of the album you did using CTMH products of your son with baby photos. The one thing I really wanted to know how you did was the words you have written on the photos you used in the album? Click HERE to see the album in question.

A: All the writing on the photos is actually digital overlays purchased from Designer Digitals. I am not very good with the digital stuff but I love these overlays and this is how I created the look easily. :)

1. I opened my photo in Photoshop and changed it to the desired size.

2. Open one of the overlays in Photoshop and change the size to fit my photo. 

3. Then just drag the overlay directly over your photo and move it around to your liking. 

4. Flatten the image and print.

Here is a list of the digital kits I used:

Photography Word Art

Remember Word Art

Loving Life Word Art

The Story Word Art

Hello Baby Hand Drawn Brushes

Q: Can you tell me the difference between a revolution and the big shot? Do you need a long platform for the big shot to do the 12 x12 stuff?

A: The biggest difference between the QK Revolution and Sizzix Big Shot is that the Big Shot will cut a wider variety of dies from OTHER manufacturers which makes it more versatile, in my opinion. The Revolution's platform is only 4" wide and the Big Shot is wider and will take wider dies. Unfortunately, I don't *think* that the Big Shot will accept the 12" border dies from QK. I don't think I have tried that yet so I can't tell you for certain. I would assume you could cut a portion of the border but not the whole thing. I will try to test that out later next week so I can give you a more informed answer. You do need the 12" platform with the Revolution to cut the 12" border dies. If you want to see how the Big Shot accepts other QK dies and Cuttlebug dies and embossing folders click HERE.

Q: I was wondering what are the plastic containers you are using to sort your flowers? Click HERE and HERE to see my storage.

A: The brand is Plano. I purchased mine at my local Wal-Mart and found them in the sporting goods section with the fishing tackle boxes. I believe you can order them online too, but not sure where. Maybe try a search for Plano clear storage boxes if you can't find them locally.

Q: Where are the plastic storage containers you use for your large chipboard and felt, etc. from?

A: They are from the Container Store.  HERE is a link.

Have a great Thursday!

Wednesday already?

Just wanted to pop in here quickly and share my Project 365 layouts. :)

I am pretty much following the kit components, not mixing it up or anything. I like easy.

Here are the first three weeks of the project.

Week One:

A couple of notes about this page:

I did blur out my flight itinery. :)

Sorry about the crummy scanning job, cut off some of the bottom of the journaling cards. Too lazy to redo.

Week Two:

Saturday's journaling card is one of those longer ones because I had a lot to write about. I wasn't quite sure how often I would use those but I can see they will come in handy every once in awhile when I'm long winded. ha!

Week Three:

 

I worked on trying to get some photos of me this week (which I hate but did anyway). :)

I also switched up the design a bit and put some photos down in the smaller pockets and journaling up in the larger ones. I like a little variety. ;) Oh, and I included some memorabilia this week, too. Our ticket stubs from the movie. I'm gonna try and do that for all movies we see this year, a nice way to remember all those films we go to. :)

Well, I'm back to work. I'm filming two videos today and finishing up next month's 2Peas Celebrate the Seasons class layout, handout, etc. Trying to get things done before I leave for CA this weekend. :)

Have a good one!

Q&A

Going to play a little Saturday catch up here.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday. I am working on THIS today. My kit came a couple of days ago and I printed my daily photos (from the 28th of December to the present) out yesterday afternoon and now it's time to add some journaling and fun stuff. :) I'll share a page or two soon.

Also, Chad and I went to see Gran Torino last night. Clint Eastwood at his best. Seriously. Probably one of the best movies I have seen in awhile. I don't have a single bad thing to say about it. So good.

I've had lots of random questions and thought I'd put them all in one place. :)

Q: Would you please tell me what paper cutter you use?

A: I use the Fiskars 12" Rotary Paper Trimmer and LOVE it. 

Q: Just wanted to thank you for the hours I have been able to spend looking at your posts (especially storage and videos).  Is there a way for me to subscribe for e-mail notifications other than typepad?

A: I don't currently have a newsletter subscription but you can sign up to be notified when I post a new video on youtube by going HERE and clicking the yellow 'Subscribe' button.

Q: Is that white writing on your photo a digi element ...or did you stamp it? (THIS layout)

A: It is a digital overlay by Ali Edwards, Loving Life Word Art. HERE is a link.

Q:  I was wondering what you used for cutting out the bird in THIS post? 

A: I used the Quickutz Silhouette. It's from a digital design CD that I don't think is available anymore but if you have the Quickutz Revolution, Cuttlebug or Sizzix Big Shot you can use THIS die and get a very similar bird. :) If you are a Silhouette owner, THIS bird is super cute and very similar too. 

Q: I have tons of SU wood mounted rubber and have been unmounting them, but am not happy with what I am doing. Do you have any suggestions for them?

A: I really downsized my entire stamp collection over the last year or so and don't have that many wood mounted stamps anymore and now I keep them in THESE mesh storage bins on a shelf in my studio. I would love to know how other people store their wood mounted stamps and if you have any great storage ideas please post a link here in the comments. :)

Q: Seeing how you used the big shot, I'm presuming I could use the same dies you used in the Cuttlebug? I'd often wondered about the bigger QK dies and the Cookie Cutters but having seen your video I don't see any reason why I couldn't use them in my Cuttlebug.

A: Absolutely the QK dies and Cookie Cutters will work in the Cuttlebug. :) I should really do a video showing the Cuttlebug and other dies. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll work on that for this next week. :)

Q: . On your journal spots (circle, big brackety thingy) are those digital??? How are you typing your journaling and getting it to fit just right? 2. And on your photo collage... Spill the beans.. do you use a template or are you creating these on your own??? (questions in reference to THIS post)

A: I did use quite a few digital elements, either on the photos or printed directly on cardstock. As for making it fit, it was mostly trial and error. I would print it on regular, plain paper first, make any adjustments necessary and then adhere the journaling spot, etc. to the plain paper and feed it through my printer.

All the digital elements I used were by Ali Edwards for Designer Digitals.

The photo collage was made by creating a 4x6 background in photoshop, then I just resized my photos to fit within that size. All the photos are either 1"x 1" or 1"x 2". 

Q: I was just looking at your Christmas journal, I was wondering how you put the letting on the pictures?  Like where it says Seasons Greeting, Merry and Bright, Hello Santa.  Is that a program you use and print them with the picture or are they a rub on/sticker?

A: I used digital elements from Designer Digitals, just layered them over my photos to print or printed them directly on cardstock. Here's a list of the ones I used. :)

Holiday Title + Journal Photo Overlays

Holiday Word Art

Gratitude Circles

Holiday Hand Drawn Brushes

25 Days of December Photo Overlays

Holiday Phrases Hand Drawn Brushes

Q: Love this Christmas album you completed -- wow. What font did you use throughout the album (the simple printed one)? I really like it and I noticed you use it frequently.

A: AL Uncle Charles (you can buy it HERE). It is my absolute favorite font. :)

Okay, back to work on Project 365 before an employee bowling night this evening (and an opportunity for a fun photo for today's project 365 entry!)...

Have a great weekend!

New Hero Arts

Have you seen the new Hero Arts Catalog?

So many fabulous new designs. I know that my wish list is long. :)

I wanted to share a layout I created using some of the new stamps. I had created THIS layout for Brenden awhile back and Payton was eager to have a similar one about her and HERE it is:

 

I used the following new stamp sets from Hero:

Heart Winged Butterfly

Clear Design: Big Circle

For the rest of the supply list and instructions click HERE.

That fabulous diecut "eight" border is from the Cricut Graphically Speaking cartridge. I just can't say it enough: the designs rock.

CHA is right around the corner and I'm starting to love the sneak peaks of new products.

Here are some of my favorites that I will be picking up once they are in stock at 2peas. :)

Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday (not only is this line SUPER cute and fun, the name is SO cute. And do you see those ledger designs in lots of fun colors. yummy!)

Penny Lane from My Mind's Eye. HERE is one of my favorites. Such cute diecut papers. Fun.

My Mind's Eye Bloom & Grow (some more really great papers and ya'll know how much I love my patterned paper!) 

Quickutz new Cake Die (isn't this the cutest!??!)

Quickutz new Cupcake Die (I am a sucker for all things cupcake)

Fiskars has some great new border punches that I will be adding to my tool collection. :)

I'll keep adding to my wish list as more new sneak peeks pop up online. :)

Have a great Thursday!

Clear Stamp Storage

I had a couple of questions on how I store my clear stamps so I made just a quick video showing how I store them in these binders I decorated. (see THIS post and THIS one).

 

This is unrelated, but I think its' funny: I was brushing Payton's hair before school this morning and she says to me, "Mom, would you like to use my brush on your hair?" hmmm....I wonder whatever she meant by that! ;) I guess my 'do didn't look too good this morning after rolling out of bed. :)

Have a great day!

Big Shot Diecutting

I've gotten quite a few questions about how other dies and embossing folders work with the Sizzix Big Shot. I answered some questions HERE awhile back but I thought it might be a good idea to share a quick video I made that shows how well other dies work with it (in case any of you want one machine that does almost everything). :)

Hope this helps answer any questions you might have. :) 

I have another couple of videos I'll be sharing this week. One is just a quickie on how I store my clear stamps. I showed how I decorate the binders and several of you were interested in seeing the actual stamp storage so I'll have a video of that and I also have a fun project video to share as well. 

More tomorrow. 

Have a good one!