Nichol Spohr LLC

Distress Inks + Silhouette Die Cuts + Hero Arts Stamps = My Favorite Things

Several weeks ago while my family skied I stayed warm in the cabin and spent the day playing with my stamps and supplies. I had limited space and didn't want to lug too much stuff with me to Colorado so I kept it simple, I only took my favorites, I pre-cut a bunch of designs out of plain smooth cream cardstock using my Silhouette and I challenged myself to "use what I had".

Here is one of my creations using one of my favorite Distress Inks techniques:

 

Here's how I created it:

1. Using an Eggshell Folded Card from Hero Arts, I ran the front of the card + a QK Polka Dot Embossing Folder through the Epic Six, then I rounded the two outside corners of the card with the Corner Chomper.
2. I took my Ranger Craft Mat (to protect my work surface) and placed Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Dusty Concord & Milled Lavender Distress Inks directly to the craft mat. (I just dabbed the ink pad directly on the mat).
3. Next, I sprayed the inked mat with a Ranger Mini Mister filled with water 3-4 times, creating water droplets of color where I inked the mat.
4. I took the Silhouette die cut hollyhocks and pressed them into the drops of color, swirling them around and blending them to get variations of color and intensity. Then I laid them to the side to air dry.
5. While the hollyhocks dried, I stamped my sentiment on a piece of Hero Arts Eggshell Layering Paper using black ink. I rounded two of the corners with a Corner Chomper and used the Ranger Ink Blending Tool and Peeled Paint Distress Ink to ink up my greeting.
6. I stamped the Hero Arts Butterfly on some Eggshell Layering Paper using Black embossing ink and heat set it with Black Embossing Powder. Then I colored in the  Butterfly with the Ranger Ink Blending Tool and Dusty Concord & Milled Lavender Distress Inks. Then I cut the butterfly out.
7. Once the hollyhocks were dry I adhered them to my card.
8. I adhered the greeting and secured the outside edge with tiny staples from Tim Holtz' Tiny Attacher.
9. I stapled string to the center of the butterfly and tied a bow, then "popped up" the butterfly wings with foam adhesive.

Supplies:

• Great Flourishes Messages 4x6 Clear Design Stamp Set by Hero Arts This item is 30% off at Two Peas!
• Antique Engravings 6x4 Clear Design Stamp Set by Hero Arts
• Milled Lavender Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger
• Peeled Paint Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger
• Dusty Concord Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger
• Shabby Shutters Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger
• Black & Clear Big & Bossy Jumbo Embossing Pad by Ranger
• 15x18 Non Stick Craft Sheet by Ranger
• Mini Misters 3 Piece Pack by Ranger
• Ink Blending Tool by Ranger
• Tiiny Attacher by Tim Holtz
• Epic Six Die Cutting Tool by Quickutz
• Polka Dots Pattern A2 Embossing Folder by Quickutz
• Eggshell Folded Cards by Hero Arts
• Eggshell Layering Papers by Hero Arts
• White 1/4Inch Foam Squares 176/pkg by Herma

Silhouette Design Used:

hollyhocks_C00003_23851
 

Hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday... 

4x6 Photos (a 2 page layout)

Hello!

Sorry about the sporadic posting this past week. Completely my bad. I've been furiously working on next month's Making the Most of Die Cutting Machines class + a few other things and I just let the blog slide. I really hate when I do that. :( 

So today I pre-planning a week's worth of blog posts!

Here is a 4x6 two-page layout I created for January's mid-month Garden at TwoPeas:

(c) Two Peas in a Bucket

These are old, old photos. All from film and not the greatest of quality. Plus the first photo is from one time and the rest are from another. To make them "work together" I die cut four of these frames from black cardstock using my Silhouette and created a border of photos. The frames help tie them together and the border moves your eye along the page. Very simple, but effective. And now I have these photos scrapped!

Silhouette Designs Used:

frame_negative_2216

 

Supplies:

• Black 12x12 AC Cardstock Pack by American Crafts
• White 12x12 AC Cardstock Pack by American Crafts
• Kraft 12x12 Cardstock by Bazzill
• Stop And Go 12x12 Let's Roll Paper by Imaginisce
• Fly High 12x12 Let's Roll Paper by Imaginisce
• Vellum
• Toddler Cardstock 97% Complete Stickers by 7Gypsies
• Photographie 97% Complete Journal Stickers by 7Gypsies
• Lil' Man Ready Set Chip by Cosmo Cricket
• Farm Fresh Word Stickers by October Afternoon
• Everyday Journal Tablet Page by Little Yellow Bicycle
• Tags (Making Memories)
• Silhouette SD Digital Craft Cutting Machine
• Silhouette $25 Prepaid Download Card
• Corner Chomper Crop-a-dile
• Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz
• Crown Edge & Corner Punch by Martha Stewart

For more information, please click HERE.

Upcoming Events + Notes of Interest:

• My friend, Jennifer, has a great video on her blog showing how she's storing her clear & cling stamps on Siimply Renee spinners. Check it out HERE.
• Next Friday (February 5th) is the next online crop at Two Peas. I am co-hosting with Mary Macaskill, Jen Jockisch and Jen Martakis... For more information, click HERE. Join us for challenges, prizes and lots of fun!
• Silhouette is offering .99 cent downloads + 25% off new download subscriptions through February 10th. Code for 25% off is GROUNDHOG. Please click HERE for more information.
• Lastly, next Friday is also the next installment of my Making the Most of Die Cutting Machines class at Two Peas. February's class will feature the Epic Six die cutting machine. I will be giving an overview of the machine & platforms + how to use other popular brands of dies with the Epic Six. This month's class samples will completely be created with the Epic Six. No electronic die cutting at all! :)

Have a great Saturday!

Fuzzy Vinyl (Silhouette Wall Art Project)

I have been in a very "home makeover" sort of mood the last couple of weeks. I don't know if it's the start of the new year, the emptiness of putting away the Christmas decorations or just that with the winter blah's I felt the need to liven up our home but I have been rearranging furniture, repurposing things I already have and even incorporating a few new items into our home decor.

One of the things I have been working on it adding some vinyl wall art to areas of our home. I only have a couple done so far but have a list of several more that I hope to get to when the work load lightens up a bit (these next two weeks look like I might need to set aside the home makeover and get some work completed!).

Today I wanted to share one of the projects I worked on late last week: some fuzzy (and regular) vinyl wall art for the family room/library area of our home. Our family room is rather long and is broken up into two sections: the t.v. area and the library (where I keep our family scrapbooks and other books, etc.). I adhered the vinyl on a short wall next to the bookcase in the library.

I simply love the following Silhouette Designs by Hero Arts and combined all three for my wall art.

bird_branch_C20091115195341_23067

 

bird_standing_C20091115200345_23067

enjoy_the_journey_bracket_C00015_23067

  
 
  

I found that the bird cuts much better at a large size (at least for me). It is fairly intricate with all those swirls and cut outs. I resized it to 7 1/2" tall and that worked really well. For the branch I wanted to have fairly long and I resized it to about 30" long, I believe. I resized the "enjoy the journey" design until it looked right to my eye and I ungrouped the image and removed the brackets from the design (I just felt it looked a little better without them for this particular project). I opened all three images into one screen to make sure the resized images worked well together, then I moved the images around to only cut one at a time from the different colors of vinyl.

Supplies:

• Fuzzy Brown Adhesive Vinyl by Silhoeutte
• Fuzzy White Adhesive Vinyl by Silhoeutte
• Tan Adhesive Vinyl by Silhouette
• Transfer Paper by Silhouette
• Universal Hook Tool by Silhouette
• Silhouette $25 Prepaid Download Card
• Universal Scraper by Silhouette
• Silhouette SD Digital Craft Cutting Tool

On another note: the white dresser (shown in the first photo) is actually an old one from my daughter's first bedroom set. She got new furniture late last year and I moved the dresser to storage. Because you all are so helpful with advice on photography classes to take, etc. I need to ask your advice on something else: I am wanting to refinish it and paint it but I have never done that before. Anyone out there have tips/advice they want to share with me? If this goes well I want to do my nightstand, too. Thanks in advance. :)

Have a good one!

 

Valentine's Postcard Album/Card (a Silhouette Project)

How cool is this cute Postcard Album from Silhouette:

postcard_album_2341

I thought it would make for a fun gift card for Valentine's Day.

I used it with the Postcard Album Pages (or tickets): 

postcard_pages_2340

And this is what I came up with:

Silhouette Blog | January 22, 2010  

 Silhouette Blog | January 22, 2010  

Silhouette Blog | January 22, 2010  

Silhouette Blog | January 22, 2010  

How To:

1. Die cut the Postcard Album from the Song Birds LYB patterned paper. Fold along all the score lines and set aside.
2. Die Cut Postcard Album Pages (tickets) from the Lots O Love LYB patterned paper. Fold along all die cut "lines" (will make for easier removal of each ticket for the recipient).
3. Stamp "I.O.U" (AC Clear Stamp) on six of the tickets (two of the tickets at one end will be adhered to the album (card) base and won't actually be "used". I used both the Tulip & Blush inks to stamp the "I.O.U".
4. Punch hearts from scraps of coordinating patterned paper. Layer a small heart on top of the bigger heart and staple in place on the six tickets using Tim Holtz' Tiny Attacher.
5. Stamp each "gift" on below the punched hearts using Hero Arts alphabet stamps and Tulip CTMH ink.
6. Adhere the tickets inside the album (card) by applying adhesive to the silver side of the last two tickets. Then accordion fold the remaining tickets to fit inside the album.
7. Close the album by slipping the flap inside the slit on the front.
8. Die cut the Hero Arts Branch from Fuzzy Brown Vinyl and adhere as shown.
9. Die cut the Bird from scraps of coordinating patterned paper and adhere to the flap, being careful not to glue the legs to the card (the bird should only be adhered to the flap that opens).
10. Embellish the bird with a floral and Hero Arts gem for the eye. Tie a ribbon in a bow and adhere with a glue dot.
11. Die cut the Word Bubble from white cardstock. Stamp "to You from Me" (AC Clear Stamp) with Blush CTMH ink and the heart (AC Clear Stamp) with Tulip CTMH ink. Adhere by only applying adhesive along the bottom half of the word bubble (it will hang off the top of the card).

Other Silhouette Images Used:

Bird_0826

Word_bubble_0783

bird_branch_C20091115195341_23067  

 

Supplies:

• Lots O Love 12x12 Sweet Love Paper by Little Yellow Bicycle  
  
• Song Birds/Pink Petals 12x12 Sweet Love Paper by Little Yellow Bicycle
• White 12x12 AC Cardstock Pack by American Crafts
• Fuzzy Brown Adhesive Vinyl by Silhouette
• Small Sentiments Clear Acrylic Stamps by American Crafts
• Basic Lowercase Letters Wood Mounted Stamps by Hero Arts
• Tulip & Blush Inks (CTMH)
• Midnight Black Accent Pearls by Hero Arts
• Floral (MM)
• Ribbon (MM)
• Heart Punches
• Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz

I really can think of so many fun ways to use this same album for other occasions: birthday's, friendship, Mother's Day, etc. I am going to make some boyish Valentine's Coupon Books for the boys, too. I'll share them here whey they're done. :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Silhouette + Hero Arts Free Download of the Week

Happy Tuesday!

I love Tuesdays because Silhouette introduces a new FREE download available for one week only. And who doesn't love something that's free?!!! 

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Silhouette is offering this cute swirl heart design die cut from Hero Arts.

Hero Arts has lots of new beautiful die cut designs available in the Silhouette Store that coordinate perfectly with their stamps. 

swirl_heart_C00053_23067

 

Here is my layout showcasing this shape.

And here's a photo of the layout (the scan cut off the cute postage stamp border of the MM patterned paper).

 Close up of the swirl heart:

 

              Journaling (printed the text on a Little Yellow Bicycle journaling page):

 

              Photo mat (another Silhouette Shape that I *love* using). So versatile:

 

For the how to on this layout, please see the Hero Arts website HERE.

Silhouette Die Cut Shapes Used:

heart_flourish_C20091115205748_23067

 

photomat_2043

 
eyelet_lace_border_C00094_19547 

 

Supplies: 

• Glitter Bird Love Struck Paper by Making Memories
• Die Cut Stamp Love Struck Paper by Making Memories
• Valentine Paisley Love Struck Paper by Making Memories
• Heart Floral Love Struck Paper by Making Memories
• Newsprint Word Love Struck Paper by Making Memories
• Vellum
• Smooth Surface Ivory Cardstock
• Kraft Cardstock
• Hugs n' Hearts Clear Stamps by Hero Arts (these are 30% off at Two Peas right now!)
• Dots Wood Block Stamp by Hero Arts
• All Occasion Messages 4x6 Clear Design Stamp Set by Hero Arts
• Tulip & Blush Inks by Close To My Heart
• Melon Mambo Ink by Stampin' Up
• Very Merry Label Stickers by October Afternoon
• Together 97% Complete Cardstock Stickers by 7Gypsies
• Love 97% Complete Journal Stickers by 7Gypsies
• Clear Button
• Hemp String
• Silhouette SD Digital Craft Cutting Tool
• Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz
• White 1/2Inch Foam Squares 88/pkg by Herma
• White 1/4Inch Foam Squares 176/pkg by Herma

A big thanks to everyone who replied to yesterday's blog post about photography classes. The two classes you all mentioned are the two I've been looking at. Now, to decide which one?!!!!

Have a great day!

Project 365 | 2010 (more photo shares)

I already have a better start on this year's Project 365/Life than I ever did last year. I feel like I am really looking around me each day and taking photos of our life, as we live it. Not only do I have a photo every day for my album but it's encouraging me to take a bunch of other photos every day too. Such a good feeling. Now, to find myself a photography class. Anyone have suggestions for that? Anyone taken a really great photography class that they would recommend? Learning to take better photos is on my list of things to do this year.

I am still keeping up with my Shuttercal daily calendar. Such a great place to keep track of those daily photographs and to jot a note about each before I forget.

Here are a few more photos that I've added Ali Edwards photo overlays and/or brushes to (all from Designer Digitals):

Everyday Life: Shopping. Thought it would be fun to have a visual of something so basic but so integral to our lives.

Pets. If you're a pet owner you know what a big part of life these rascals can be. Found my yellow lab puppy taking a nap in a lawn chair on the back porch. Totally cracked me up and just check out those big paws. She has a lot of growing left to do!

Food. I'm working on taking better and more interesting food shots. We all eat everyday, why not take photos of our favorites? These cream puffs are SO yummy!

 
Family Members Activities: Project 365 isn't just about MY life, but the life of my family. However, I have come to the conclusion that trumpet practice every evening isn't cruel and unusual punishment for the kids, it's cruel and unusual punishment for the parents. Ha! 

Remember the photos I shared the other day in THIS blog post? I received that order last Saturday from scrapbookpictures.com. So fast! The photos look great and I'm extremely excited to see my album taking shape.

I'm working on a blog post & video featuring Project 365. Not quite sure when I will share that but it is coming: eventually. 

Have a great evening. :)

Share Your Space | GG Blog (Storage Supply List)

A couple of days ago I shared a video of my creative space HERE.

I have received numerous questions regarding the different storage components and containers that I use so I am going to answer them all here. Please note that I didn't purchase all the components of my studio at one time but rather this has been an ongoing project for over 8+ years so some items may no longer be available. 

FURNITURE

Bedford Home Office Components from Pottery Barn (corner desk, rectangular desktops, file cabinents, hutch)

Wall Mounted Organizer (White) from Pottery Barn (this is available usually during the holiday season)

Cup Holder from Pottery Barn (no longer available)

Work Table by Pottery Barn (this was a small standard height kitchen table that I had a friend build new counter height legs for it)

Daily System by Pottery Barn (Wall Cubbies, Bulletin Board, Wipe Off Calendar & More)

Shelving Unit (these were custom built by a friend to my specifications for my studio)

Stamp Cabinet by Broyhill the Attic Heirlooms Collection (this was actually a piece that was part of a dining room set I no longer used so I moved it to my studio and use it for all my stamp storage)

EMBELLISHMENT STORAGE

12X12 Paper Storage Cases from the Container Store (I keep large chipboard sets, large florals, felt in these)

Clear Storage Cases from the Container Store (I keep paints, chalks, glitter glue, etc. in these)

Translucent Project Cases from the Container Store (I keep my alphabet stickers/rub-ons + themed stickers in these)

Silver Mesh DVD Bins from the Container Store (I keep my punches in these)

Silver Mesh CD Bins from the Container Store & also Target (I keep cards & envelopes, embossing folders, dies and miscellaneous jouranler's notebooks/pads in these)

Plano Storage Boxes (I bought mine in the Fishing Department at Wal-Mart) I keep ribbons, florals, loose embellishments in these.

Memory Dock Scrapper's Box by We R Memory Keepers (where I keep memorabilia)

Craft Mates Locking Caddies Organizers in Purple Suede (I purchased mine at my local Hobby Lobby) I used these for all my brad, clips, photo turns, eyelet storage.

Clear Glass Jars from Hobby Lobby (for buttons storage by color)

PAPER STORAGE

Cropper Hopper Paper Holders (I keep all my patterned paper and cardstock in these)

Cropper Hopper Hanging File Trolley (I keep all my scrap paper here)

STAMP STORAGE

Clear Stamps are all kept in 3 ring binders.

Wilson Jones CD DVD Sheet Protectors (this is what I keep all my Hero Arts Clear & Cling Stamps in)

Best Craft Organizer Black Ink Storage Carousel (I keep all SU, CTMH, Memories, Hero Arts ink pads here)

Wisconsin Stamp Supplies White Ink Pad Carousel ( I keep all Distress Inks & Staz-on inks here)

Inkssentials Craft Spinner by Ranger (I keep blending tools and similar items here)

White baskets for SU and Hero Arts Stamps (purchased at Wal-Mart)

Thin Clear Cases with White Handles for foam stamps (purchased at Target)

SEWING MACHINE

Singer Machine Model #6038 (nothing fancy but I do regularly take it in for maintenance)

Savannah Utility Baskets from PB (I store some fabrics here)

If I missed your question please post it here and I will add to the list. 

Thank you! Good Night!

Project 365 | 2010 (revisited)

Project 365 | 2009 was a huge failure. Huge.

I think I made it only through the middle of March 2009 before forgetting it altogether. I had holes everywhere where I had forgotten to take photos, forgotten journaling and I just gave up. But every time I looked at my album on the shelf I was sad. I really, really wanted to finish my album. I saw Becky Higgins' new Project Life kit and it rekindled that desire to record an entire year of daily photos in one album, to see my life/my family's life in day-to-day photos. So, I removed the unfinished pages from my book, I reorganized the components (of the 2009 Project 365 kit), removed the items I didn't want to use. Went through and wrote the dates out on the weekly cards for the whole year and put everything in one place, ready for photos + journaling. I'm not going to stress myself out about it, I'm just going for a low-key, easy way to document my story, one day at a time. I can do it.

One of those things that is helping me is Shuttercal.com. I just add my photos + a bit of info about each and I have a great record of my daily life. As I get around to it, I can print my photos and add them to my album. Loving this system right now. 

I'll share bits and pieces of my book as I go along, what works for me, what doesn't. And yes, I totally love the 2010 Project Life kit but I still have a gorgeous 2009 Project 365 kit that is awaiting my photos + memories. I am all about using what you have and making it work. 

Here's a peek at some of my photos so far (I started my book on Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 so that my book goes Sunday to Saturday):

Looking out across the snow/frost covered golf course. So beautiful.

I redecorated my family room fireplace mantel with cheap finds from Hobby Lobby's clearance sale. All browns/naturals/whites. Love.

Tried a new recipe tonight and the family loved it. Mongolian Beef with Wide Rice Noodles. Delicious.

Daddy and Payton on the slopes. Love those smiles.

Saying good-bye to the last of the lidded cups in our home. Started regretting it after cleaning up the first spill of the day. 

All photo overlays/brushes are Ali Edwards for Designer Digitals. I've had them awhile. Again, just using what I already have.

I'll share more on this soon. Have a super weekend!

 

Stampin' + Silhouette Rhinestone Fun Friday (Baby Gifts)

I am always needing baby cards + gifts on hand. We usually like to give the new parents diapers + a little something extra and these cute onsies fit the bill!

Silhouette Blog | January 15, 2010 

I purchased several cute and inexpensive onsies at my local discount store (I thought these little striped ones were particularly cute!) and simply ironed on the rhinestone designs using Silhouette's Rhinestone Starter Kit & Rhinestones using this sweet elephant shape by Lori Whitlock. I repeated the rhinestone iron on on the matching die cut diaper baby cards. These were super fast and easy and now I have some baby cards/gifts ready for whenever I may need them!

How To:

1. Open up the diaper die cut design and elephant rhinestone design in the Craft ROBO software. Make sure the designs fit together nicely. In this case, I did not need to resize the diaper card, I used it as is. Be sure not to change the size/dimensions of any rhinestone design as it will not cut correctly.
2. Die cut the diaper card out of Snow Layering Paper from Hero Arts (I purposely used a "flat" paper so it was easy to embellish and stamp on).
3. Die cut the elephant design from Rhinestone Template material.
4. Place the elephant template on a Backing Board. *tip* I didn't have a backing board so I used a scrap piece of cardboard from a recent Two Peas order. Worked perfectly.
5. Fill design with rhinestones of your choice. For the pink card + onsie I used the 10ss pink & clear rhinestones. For the blue card + onsie I used the 10ss blue & clear rhinestones.
6. Layer rhinestone transfer tape over design and carefully lift up (the rhinestones cling right to it). 
7. Place transfer tape with rhinestones on project. 
8. Make sure iron has the steam setting turned off and place a thin cloth over transfer tape design.
9. Place heated iron on top for 45-60 seconds (do not move iron back and forth).
10. Turn garment inside out and repeat the previous step. When ironing the rhinestone design on the card I skipped this step. For complete instructions on ironing on the Silhouette Rhinestones, click HERE.
11. For the cards, stamp greeting below rhinestone design. I used a Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement.
12. Stamp additional phrase on the inside of diaper card.
13. Apply light blue chalk around the edges of the card and that's it!

 

I had thought it would have been super cute to add little safety pins to these diaper cards but...I couldn't find mine. I think I may have purged them awhile back. Oh well. ;)

Silhouette Designs Used:

baby_elephant_C00274_20509

diaper_pocket_0166  

Supplies: 

• Snow Layering Papers by Hero Arts
• Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set ("Hello Baby") by Stampin' Up
• Full of Life Stamp Set (phrase inside card) by Stampin' Up
• Memories Black Dye Ink by Hero Arts
• Pearlescent Chalks by Pebbles
• Silhouette SD Digital Craft Cutting Tool 
• Pink 10ss Rhinestones
• Blue 10ss Rhinestones
• Clear 10ss Rhinestones
• Rhinestone Starter Kit

Other ideas for incorporating rhinestone designs into baby gifts: receiving blankets, baby bibs, diaper bags, etc. I can think of so many cute things that could be dressed up with rhinestones!

Here are just a few other rhinestone designs that I thought would be fun:

whale_C00224_20508

 

apple_C20091202171100_2581

baby_bird_C00273_20509 

baby_ladybug_C00276_20509 

 

sweet_pea_C00212_20508

 

 

I have received a lot of questions regarding yesterday's blog post on my studio space. Instead of responding to each individually and repeating myself, I am working on a complete list of the storage items I shared, what brand they are and where I found them. I will post all that information this coming Sunday. 

Have a fab Friday!

Share Your Space | GG Blog (a video)

Happy Thursday everyone! Today I made a quick video of my scrapbook/craft room to share on the GG Blog at Two Peas. I didn't get the floors swept & vacuumed and the walls still need repainted but it is what it is (as my friend Jana always says!).

Have a great day!