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February 10, 2010

A New 2Peas Garden (now in the Gallery)

If you are a fan of the Designer Garden at Two Peas in a Bucket you may have noticed some changes this month: new Garden projects will now be found in the Gallery, sprinkled throughout the month and no more themes. Gallery layouts + garden gallery layouts = daily dose of inspiration all in one place! 

The Garden projects are highlighted by a light blue box around the project and if you want to see all the garden projects in one place you can simply click the "designer projects" link on the left side of your screen. (more information on that HERE).

My first "new" garden gallery layout went live today HERE:

Kramer & kenzie
(c) Two Peas in a Bucket

I played with the Silhouette Rhinestone feature on this one. I used the paw print template to iron on the Silhouette Rhinestone directly to my layout. So easy and perfect for the page about dogs. :)

Supplies:

Silhouette Rhinestone Design Used:

paw_print_C20091123167012_2581

Paw_print_C20091123162012_2581
I have been getting numerous requests to do a Silhouette Rhinestone Tutorial as well as a Silhouette Print & Cut Tutorial, too. I am working on it. I can't give you an exact date that I'll have these up but it will be this month. I am planning on covering each of these in my year long die cutting class at Two Peas as well, however, since I am covering three different machines this year these particular classes are a ways off thus the need for some 'mini tutorials' here on the blog. ;)

Also, I had several requests to show how I created the long, almost 30" border from fuzzy vinyl that I shared HERE. I am uploading the video to youtube as I type and it will be up on the blog tomorrow. :)

What do you guys think of formspring? I see lots of designers using it and I really didn't think I was interested in doing this except for the fact that I get a lot of Silhouette questions. Would this be something you'd be interested in me doing? Let me know. I am always open to your suggestions. :)

Until tomorrow...


Posted at 04:18 PM in SCRAPBOOK | Layouts | | Comments (15) | TrackBack (0)

February 09, 2010

Stamped Monster Valentines Bag Toppers

One of our favorite ways to give Valentine's (or any type of little treat) is in treat bags topped with personalized bag toppers. These cute little Hero Arts stamped monster ones will be going to the kids in Ethan's preschool class and Payton's 3rd grade class.  ;) Brenden thought that the cuteness + googly eyes = not cool for a 5th grader so we made something a little different for his classmates. I'll share those later. 

Monster 1 

Monster 2  

These even made it as yesterday's Project 365 photo of the day:

February 8 

Video How To:


Supplies:

Silhouette Shape Used:

frame_1507

Frame_1507

What to make a 5th grader? He is totally into anything space related. He is a Star Wars fanatic and his class just finished a unit on Astronomy in Science that he loved so I looked for something that interested him. I wanted to go with the same basic design to make it easy but I changed it up a bit by using kraft cardstock to cut the label, stamping them with the Hero Arts Crossword background stamp (can I just say loooove that stamp?!!) and then I die cut a ringed planet out of solid cardstocks and pieced them together.

I stamped a very simple greeting (he chose this one is from Stampin' Up) and I added a simple punched heart to "Valentine's it up" a bit. Simple. Easy. And he likes them. That's important!

IMG_0962
 

Supplies:

Silhouette Shape Used (in addition to the frame above):

planet_with_rings_C00055_18443

Planet_with_rings_C00055_18443
 

Have a great evening! 

Posted at 09:20 PM in COMPANY | Hero Arts, TECHNIQUE | Silhouette Cameo Die Cutting | | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)

February 07, 2010

Project 365 | 2010 (checking in)

Still taking a photo a day (well, except for Friday but I'll get to that in a moment). 

I will be updating here periodically with some photo shares as the 365 journey progresses. I have to say that shuttercal.com is really, really helping with this process. Having a place where I can upload my photo + write a few words about it makes this process so much easier for me. For one thing I don't forget what I want to say about the photo or day. The journaling is already there. Not to mention I love that I can check out my friends' photos and see what is going on in their lives. Makes me happy + it inspires me to keep going!

So, Friday, I forgot to take a "life" photo. I do have a photo. Several, in fact, but they are scrapping related.  (See THIS post). I am going to use one of these because a) I don't have any other photos from the day and b) it is a part of my life. I was one of the hostesses for the Two Peas online crop on Friday evening and getting ready for it took a good portion of the day. That and the plumber that was here for hours messing up my hot water. ;)

Back to photo shares, here are a few favorites from the last couple of weeks:

January 28
I really love this photo of my oldest engrossed in a book. We were spending the evening hanging out, just he and I, and it was just one of those great moments where I caught him being himself. Not posing. Not rolling his eyes that Mom has the camera pointed at him. He's growing up. There are new trials and challenges. But also lots and lots of joy. Chad and I were just discussing yesterday what a young man he is becoming. We can see it happening right in front of our eyes. I am so, so proud of this kid.  

February 1
My latest obsession. I posted about them HERE. I love the rainbow of colors so I wanted to record that + I want a record of me in this album, too. I don't want to forget to include what I'm into these days.  

February 3
 This really isn't a great photo by any stretch of the imagination but I absolutely adore the smiles and laughter on these two faces. They made an obstacle course out of the kitchen bar stools and were racing a car through them while I cooked supper. This photo just made my heart happy. Proof that they don't always fight. ;)

February 4
 A little Valentine crafty project that Payton is working on. She found a book at the school library with Valentine crafts and couldn't wait to bring it home and show me. We saved paper towel holders and a tissue box for a couple of weeks so she could put this together. Once she finishes painting and decorating it she can use it as her "mailbox" for the Valentine's she gets at school. She said to me this morning, "why are you sharing it, it's not done". Because sweet girl, I needed a photo the other day and this just spoke to me. She rolled her eyes. 

February 6
 Food photos: I tried this Cherry Tomato and Ravioli Soup recipe last night and it got rave reviews from all three kids (Daddy is out of town and sorry he missed it!). Mellypea shared the link for this recipe the other day and gave it two thumbs up so I immediately put it on my "must make soon" list. I've really been trying to make new things. I feel like I've been stuck in a bit of a food rut lately. This yummy soup is going on permanent rotation, though!

February 7
Speaking of food: I haven't made these Strawberry Banana Crepes in years. I have no idea why I waited so long either. They are just as delicious as I remember and the kids ate the heck out of them. Another recipe that is going on permanent rotation for Sunday Brunch.

Recipe:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 - 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 -2 tbsp butter or margarine (I used shortening)

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, milk and eggs; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

In an 8" nonstick skillet, melt 1 tsp. butter. Stir  batter, pour about 2 tbsp into center of skillet. Lift and tilt pan to evenly coat bottom. Cook until top appears dry; turn and cook 15-20 seconds longer. Remove to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter, adding butter to skillet as needed. When cool, stack crepes with waxed paper or paper towels in between.

FILLING:

  • 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 carton (8oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

In a mixing bowl, combine the filling ingredients. Spread 2 rounded tablespoons on each crepe; roll up.

TOPPING:

  • 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
  • 2 medium firm bananas, sliced
  • 1/4 cup sugar, optional (I left this out, my kids don't really care for sugar on their fruit)
  • we also had fresh blueberries :)

Combine topping ingredients; spoon over crepes. (I don't combine the fruit, I just place bowls of each on the table and everyone can help themselves to the toppings they like).

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend. We're getting ready for snow today (not as much as so many of you have been getting the last few days, though)! Stay warm if you're snowed in. Have a great day!

Posted at 11:56 AM | | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

February 05, 2010

Two Peas Online Crop Challenges

Just wanted to pop in here and share my challenges for Two Peas online crop this evening.

You have until 11:00 CST to upload any challenge to the gallery for a chance to win a prize!

9:30 Mini Challenge: Create an accent using a doily

Doily can be patterned paper design, punches (i.e. Martha Stewart), digital doilies, stamps (i.e. Hero Arts new lace stamps), die cut (like my example below cut with the Silhouette) or an actual doily. :) 

Although my doily accent has a more Love/Valentine theme, it isn't a requirement. Any theme will work!

IMG_0921 

IMG_0923
 
 Supplies:

Silhouette Design:

doily_floral_scallop_C20090915220037_19210

Doily_floral_scallop_C20090915220037_19210 


10:00 Challenge: Create a Card from the Following Sketch

Crop card sketch 

You can omit certain things, add to it, use digital elements to create a hybrid card, etc. Just use some element from the sketch to make a card.

And...if you aren’t looking to make Valentine’s cards: consider adding an anniversary greeting, a thank you greeting, replacing the hearts with stars for a birthday greeting, etc. In other words, make the sketch work for you!

Here is my sample:

IMG_0916
  

IMG_0917

IMG_0919

Supplies:  

Silhouette Designs:

bird_branch_C20091115195341_23067

Bird_branch_C20091115195341_23067
card_wave_2126 

Card_wave_2126 

Have fun!

Posted at 09:30 PM in COMPANY | Hero Arts, TECHNIQUE | Silhouette Cameo Die Cutting | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Making the Most of Die Cutting Machines | February 2010 + Silhouette Blog & Texture

I have lots to share today. 

Not only do I have several projects to share now but later this evening I, along with Mary Macaskill, Jen Jockisch and Jen Martakis am hosting tonight's online crop at Two Peas. Please join us for lots of great challenges, chats and PRIZES!!!! Click HERE for more information.

February's Making the Most of Die Cutting Machines: Quickutz Epix Six

February layout 

(c) Two Peas in a Bucket

Everything on this layout (the birds, frames, branch, photo corners, title and embossed strip) was created with dies run through the Epic Six. Even the red felt heart (a Cuttlebug die) was used with the Epic Six die cutting machine.

Video How To:


Supplies:

For more information, PDF handout and more, click HERE.

Silhouette Blog (Texturized Layout): 

Document life textured snowman layout
Silhouette Blog | February 5, 2010 

How To:

  1. Color block background with 1 - 4x6 photo, a strip of 3 - 2x3 photos, 3x4 piece of paper and a 6x6 piece of paper with 6x6 vellum overlay. Machine stitch around color blocked background.
  2. Resize snowman shape to 6" tall and cut from white AC Cardstock. (snowman_C00143_19547)                                       Snowman_C00143_19547
  3. Resize snowflakes (snowflake_doily_C00145_19547 & snowflake_doily_2_C00144_19547) to 3", 2.5" & 2.25" and cut from white AC Cardstock.                                                                                                                                                        Snowflake_doily_C00145_19547
    Snowflake_doily_2_C00144_19547
      
  4. Run snowman and two of the snowflakes through Epic Six using the Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles embossing folder to add texture.
  5.  Print journaling on the remaining (largest) snowflake die cut.
  6. Cut ribbon weaving scalloped border (essential_ribbon_weaving_strips_C000283_20509) from Bella Blvd. paper.            Essential_ribbon_weaving_strips_C00283_20509 
  7. Weave white satin ribbon through die cut, tie in a bow and secure ends with Tiny Attacher. Add button embellishment to center of bow.
  8. Die cut snowman again using the same brown patterned paper used for ribbon weaving. (I die cut them both at the same time). Cut hat from design and adhere over embossed snowman. Add tiny florals & brad to the hat. Sew mismatched black buttons on for the eyes. Add black gems for mouth. Trim "scarf" from snowman die cut and replace with ribbon scarf.
  9. Die cut title (love_C00025_19547) from blue cardstock. Remove inside cutting lines and cut again from vellum. Layer cardstock design on vellum and adhere to layout as shown.                                                                                                  Love_C00025_19547 
  10. Stamp date on October Afternoon label sticker and adhere as shown.
  11. Cut phrase from Bella Blvd. paper and adhere to title block as shown.
  12. Print & Cut tab (documenting_life_sideline_tabs_C00107_19547) and adhere above title block. Add CTMH photo turn for embellishment.                                                                                                                                                                          Documenting_life_sideline_tabs_C00107_19547
  13. Sew buttons to embossed snowflakes and adhere to layout.
Supplies:

Check out the Silhouette Blog for more great Silhouette tips and ideas.

See you a little later this evening over at Two Peas for the online crop!

Posted at 10:02 AM in SCRAPBOOK | Layouts, TECHNIQUE | Silhouette Cameo Die Cutting | | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

February 02, 2010

Hero Arts Stamps + Hero Arts Silhouette Shape = A Little Monkey Business

Finally getting around to posting more of the cards I made several weeks ago while in Colorado. This one involved lots and lots of coloring and lots of scissor work but I think the end result was worth it. I really like how it turned out. :)

IMG_0777

How To:

  1. Die Cut envelope (envelope_elegant_C00260_20509) from Hero Arts Daffodil Layering Paper using the Silhouette SD Digital Craft Cutting Machine.                                               Envelope_elegant_C00260_20509 
  2. Die Cut Hero Arts Design Die Cut Branch (bird_branch_C20091115195341_23067) from smooth cream cardstock.        Bird_branch_C20091115195341_23067 
  3. Working on a craft sheet to protect the work surface, use the Ranger Ink Blending Tool to add color to the die cut branch. Ink the branch with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and the leaves with Peeled Paint Distress Ink.
  4. Adhere the branch to the flap of the envelope as shown.
  5. Stamp the leaf on smooth cream cardstock 7 times and stamp the monkey once. Color the images in with Prismacolor colored pencils and blend with Gamsol to get the desired look. Carefully cut out each design.
  6. Adhere all the cut out pieces to the card/branch as shown.
  7. Adhere googly eyes to the monkey.
  8. Stamp the greeting with green, blue and brown inks.
  9. Adhere the closures with mini brads and tie a string around them to hold the envelope closed.
  10. Insert some cash or check and give as a gift! :)

Supplies:

IMG_0778

IMG_0779
Time for a bubble bath, I think! Have a good one...  

Posted at 08:07 PM in COMPANY | Hero Arts, TECHNIQUE | Silhouette Cameo Die Cutting | | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

February 01, 2010

Be Mine (a Hero Arts Froggy Valentine)

Dear Copic Markers,

I did not want to fall prey to your charms. I did not want to shell out $$$ for you. I did not want to love you.

But I did fall prey, I did shell out a few $$$ (I don't have many of you yet) and I do love you. A lot.

So I finally colored something that I'm not too embarrassed to share. I need to take a Copic class BAD. I'm hoping to get into one at the end of this month.

My little guy LOVES frogs so I got this new Hero Arts Frog Stamp because it reminded me of him. Plus this design just begged to be colored in. :)

IMG_0881 

IMG_0883

Card How To:

  1. Die Cut Base of card using tri-fold card design (card_trifold_1877) out of Bazzill Salt Swiss Dot Cardstock.                       Card_trifold_1877
  2. Stamp frog image using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Neenah Solar White cardstock and color in with Copic Markers (I used: YG03 Yellow Green, G24 Willow, C3 Cool Gray, C5 Cool Gray, RV11 Pink, RV14 Begonia Pink, R27 Cadmium Red, G07 Nile Green). Cut out frog.
  3. Tie red ribbon around frog's neck and tie in a bow. Add pop dots to the back of frog and adhere to card.
  4. Punch hearts using Stampin' Up & EK Success hear punches and tuck behind frog on card as shown.
  5. Stamp word bubble using memnto Tuxedo Black Ink on Neenah Solar White cardstock and add shadows with Copic Markers (I used: C1 Cool Gray, C3 Cool Gray). 
  6. Stamp "Be Mine" in the center of the word bubble using Versamark Ink. Emboss with Zing! Rouge embossing powder. Cut out and adhere to card with pop dots.
  7. Add additional small punched hearts and heart gems to card.
  8. Give the frog some character with googley eyes.

Supplies:

Have a great Monday!

  

Posted at 11:55 AM in COMPANY | Hero Arts, TECHNIQUE | Silhouette Cameo Die Cutting | | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

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