Nichol Spohr LLC

Halloween/Fall Tutorial Event Day 4: Thankful Projects

Today's the last day of the Fall Tutorial Event. I want to thank each and every one of you that has left comments on my blog posts. I truly appreciate you all!

It seems that here in America, that oftentimes Thanksgiving gets glossed over by Christmas. I am as guilty of that as anyone. However, I think it's super important to remember our blessings and to celebrate them no matter the season or occasion.

I created some quick and easy Place Cards for my mom (she is hosting Thanksgiving at her home this year) and a Thanksgiving card that I can use as a "thank you" for having dinner at her house.

Then I used an old frame I had on hand, some Papertrey Ink Felt and stamps and such to make a little home decor item for our home. :)

 Happy Thanksgiving Card

I love this Harvest Season Stamp Set from Lawn Fawn. It perfectly exemplifies the Thanksgiving Holiday to me. Beautiful leaves, a cornucopia and lovely sentiments. Perfection!

Don't forget to make the inside of the card beautiful as well...

How To:

 

SUPPLIES

PAPER: Fine Linen & Dark Chocolate Cardstock by Papertrey Ink; X-Press Copic Blending Card

STAMPS: Harvest Season Stamp Set by Lawn Fawn; Large Plaid Pattern Wood Block Stamp by Hero Arts

INKS: Antique Linen Distress Ink by Tim Holtz; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango & Kiwi Kiss Inks by Stampin' Up; White Daisy Ink by CTMH; Copic Markers

EMBELLISHMENTS: Orange Zest Saddle Stitch Ribbon and Button by Papertrey Ink

TOOLS: Martha Stewart Scoring Tool; Tim Holtz Paper Distresser; Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz; Circle 2.75 Inch Paper Shaper Punch; Coluzzle; Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool

Places, Please Thanksgiving Place Cards

I can see using these not only for holiday dinners and functions but using the die and label stamp on cards, as gift tags, etc. I adore this set! I made these place cards for my sweet mama who is hosting Thanksgiving this year.

How To:

 

SUPPLIES

PAPER: Fine Linen, Zesty Orange, Simply Chartreuse and Harvest Gold Perfect Match Cardstocks by Papertrey Ink

STAMPS: Places, Please Stamp Set & Gobble Gobble Stamp Set by Papertrey Ink

INKS: Kiwi Kiss, Dusty Durange, Soft Suede and Crushed Curry Inks by Stampin' Up

TOOLS: Sizzix Big Shot, Placecard Die by PTI

Give Thanks Home Decor Frame

At first I wasn't sure I would want the Gobble, Gobble Stamp Set from Papertrey Ink. I was wrong. I adore the cute little turkey! He comes with coordinating dies and you can either stamp him or cut him from felt or mix and match like I did here. I also used Quickutz Nesting Leaves with the Papertrey Felt to coordinate with the turkey.

How To:

 

SUPPLIES

PAPER: Fine Linen Perfect Match Cardstock by Papertrey Ink; X-Press Copic Blending Card

STAMPS: Gobble Gobble Stamp Set by Papertrey Ink; Large Plaid Pattern Wood Block Stamp by Hero Arts; Holiday Best by Stampin' Up

INKS: Soft Suede Ink by Stampin' Up; Antique Linen Distress Ink by Tim Holtz

 EMBELLISHMENTS: Heart Brad by MM; Rustic Button Twine by Papertrey Ink; Orange Zest, Harvest Gold, Simply Chartreuse, Fine Linen Felts by Papetrey Ink

TOOLS: Sizzix Big Shot; Gobble, Gobble Die by Papertrey Ink; Quickutz Nesting Leaves Dies; Foam Adhesive; Journal Plate & Bracket Large Punch by EK Success

Thanks for sticking with me this weekend during the Fall Tutorial Event.

I had such fun creating these projects.

I hope you enjoyed them too!.

See you tomorrow!

Halloween/Fall Tutorial Event Day 3: Home Decor Stamped Frames

It's day 3 of the Fall Tutorial Event here on my blog and I *think* today's project was my favorite to create. I do love to color!

I am a sucker for any cute little kid image that looks like it will be fun to color.

I purchased these C.C. Designs Halloween Kid stamps a few weeks back from Simon Says Stamp and they are just too adorable. I was wanting to create a few new home dec items for the upcoming holiday so I stamped and colored 3 - 5"x7" sheets of paper and then added it to each. Actual visual frame size 3 1/2" x 5".

Now, if Halloween isn't your thing, consider Christmas Frames featuring adorable images (yes, I plan on doing some for Christmas, too!) or maybe something that matches your own home decor for yearly enjoyment. I don't know about you but I give away most of my stamped designs as cards. It's sort of nice to create something, just for me, that can be enjoyed daily in my home. And if and when I get tired of these, I can take them out of the frame, trim them down and use them for a greeting card. ;)

C.C. Designs Home Decor Frames

I used the Friend Definition background stamp by Hero Arts and some Antique Linen Distress Ink to add just a little "age" to the images. I didn't want them looking too brand new. Plus it provides an interesting background. Much better than solid white, yet not distracting.

Copics Used for the Hero:

Copics used for the little witch:

How To:

 

 

SUPPLIES

PAPER: X-Press Copic Blending Card

STAMPS: C.C. Designs Dragon Rubber Stamp; C.C. Designs Witch Rubber Stamp; C.C. Designs Hero Rubber Stamp; C.C. Designs Halloween Scene Rubber Stamp; Hero Arts Cling Stamp Friend Definition; Friendship Jar Fall Fillers Stamp Set by Papertrey Ink (Web & Spider); Been Boo'd Stamp Set by Papertrey Ink (bats & half moon)

INKS: Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Antique Linen Distress Ink by Tim Holtz; Crushed Curry Stamp Ink by Stampin' Up; Copic Markers

TOOLS: Stamp Press by Fiskars; Stamping Mask Paper by Inkadinkado; Stamp-a-ma-jig by Inkadinkadoo

Thanks for stopping by today!

Halloween/Fall Tutorial Event Day 2: Treat Bag Toppers

Welcome in to day 2 of the Fall Tutorial Event!

You guys are the best! Thanks for all you support and comments. You guys are the reason I do my best to keep the content fresh (almost) daily. :) I love to share. I often joke that I learned everything I needed for this job in Kindergarten. All I do is cut, color and share. ;)

One of my very favorite things to make is treat bag toppers for those clear treat bags. Click HERE to see the ones I made for Valentine's Day last year featuring Hero Arts stamps.

These require very few supplies and are easy and quick to make, not to mention they bring a sure smile to the recipient's face. :)

Tiny Treats Treat Bag Toppers 

I made these for my son's pre-school class Halloween party coming up later this month but if you don't have little ones or kids at all, consider making some to give out on Halloween night to your neighbor kids or maybe nieces/nephews. I know my niece and nephews are getting special treat bags from me! 

How To:

 

SUPPLIES

PAPER: X-Press Copic Blending Card

STAMPS: Tiny Treats: Halloween Stamp Set by Papertrey Ink

INKS: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Kiwi Kiss, Rich Razzleberry Inks by Stampin' Up; Copics (see photos below for specific markers)

EMBELLISHMENTS: Googly Eyes

TOOLS: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine; Mat Stack 4 Die by Papertrey Ink; Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz

Close Up Photos + Copic Colors Used

Thanks for stopping by and have a terrific day (or night if you're on the other side of the world!).

Hugs all around!

Halloween/Fall Tutorial Event Day 1: Halloween Cards

Today is the start of the Fall Tutorial Event here in appreciation for my blog readers. This is a 4 day event with lots of projects and ideas that will hopefully inspire you for Halloween, Fall and beyond. While I won't be doing give aways this time around, I will be having give aways for the the Holiday Tutorial Event set for the first week in November. Tons of great prizes sponsored by generous companies. (Just a little something to look forward to!).

With so, so many adorable Halloween stamps available I simply can't create cards fast enough to keep up!

Here are two cards I made featuring three of my very favorite stamp companies: 

• Hero Arts
• Lawn Fawn
• Papertrey Ink

Spooktacular Halloween Frog Witch Card

This card all started with the Martha Stewart Hat Punch. I was all set to stamp a pumpkin/jack-o-lantern and add the hat to it when I remembered this darling frog punch by Hero Arts. And it fits the froggie perfectly. I love it when a plan comes together. 

 

How To:

 

SUPPLIES

PAPER: Spring Moss Cardstock by Papertrey Ink; X-Press Copic Blending Card; Glitter Specialty Paper (MM)

STAMPS: Flower Frog Wood Mounted Stamp by Hero Arts; Large Web Cling Stamp by Hero Arts; Been Bood's Stamp Set by Papertrey Ink

INKS: Memento Tuxedo Black Ink by Tsukineko; Crushed Curry & Kiwi Kiss Inks by Stampin' Up; Copic Markers

EMBELLISHMENTS: Googly Eyes, New Leaf Buttons by Papertrey Ink

TOOLS: Martha Stewart XL Punch Witch Hat; Circle 1.5 Inch Paper Shapers Punch by EK Success; Tim Holtz Paper Distresser; String

(Finished size of card 3 1/2" x 5 1/2")

Happy Halloween Web & Spider Card

I adore the Heebie Jeebies Stamp Set by Lawn Fawn. I thought the images would look amazing stamped with white on a darker color (in this case dark gray). I added subtle touches with an embossed border (made with the Martha Stewart Scoring Tool and by stamping the background with a PTI Been Boo'd greeting using Versamark Ink.

(don't forget to add a little somethin' to the inside of the card)

How To:

 

SUPPLIES

PAPER: Orange Zest & Smokey Shadow Papertrey Ink Cardstock

STAMPS: Heebie Jeebies Stamp Set by Lawn Fawn; Been Boo'd Stamp Set by Papertrey Ink

INKS: White Daisy Ink by CTMH; Versamark Frost Dazzle Watermark Ink

EMBELLISHMENTS: Orange Zest Satin Ribbon and Button by Papertrey Ink; Googly Eyes

TOOLS: Martha Stewart Scoring Board

(Finished size of card 4 1/4" square)

Both of these cards would be great cards for Cards for Kids or maybe to send to someone just to give them a smile this Halloween!

Have a great day.

More tomorrow!

Check it out! (Giveaway)

Lisa Bearnson is giving away a year of Kerri Bradford's This & That Kit on her blog!

Here's the info:

So here’s the fun contest! Anytime today, go here or here to Kerri’s site to see first hand how cool this kit really is. (Also, while you’re there, click the “follow” button to stay abreast all that Kerri creates in the future!) Next, make a comment here on my blog about what you think of this cool tray. (You can also leave me a happy October thought!) I’ll choose a random comment on Thursday morning and if your name is drawn, here’s what you’ll win: A year’s worth of Kerri’s “This & That” series digital printable pieces and cuttable cardstock shapes. Plus, you’ll also receive a 7gypsies Printerblock tray. (This isn’t a monthly kit–rather a seasonal through-the-year series. How cool is that–you’ll have an amazing decorative tray that you can change out for all the seasons!

To read about it on Lisa's blog, click HERE.

 

I am in whirlwind mode, finishing up blog posts, voicing over videos and uploading to youtube and packing for a long girls' weekend away with two amazing friends. I am really looking forward to it!

Be sure to check back tomorrow the 7th through Sunday, the 10th for the Fall Tutorial Event here on my blog. Brand new projects and video tutorials (some days have more than one!) every day!

Have a super weekend!

 

Making the Most of Die Cutting Machines | October 2010

This month's class features a home decor item for Halloween.

I chose Halloween because we love Halloween at our house. However, I know many don't celebrate Halloween, care for it, etc. Consider creating one Christmas, for Autumn, for a birthday. Anything goes!

I used my Silhouette to create my pennants but use whatever die cutting machine YOU have. I prefer the Silhouette because I can change the size of the designs to fit whatever project I am doing.

Makes me happy. 

I die cut the pennant and the scallop pennant and the letters using the Silhouette. 

Everything else is pre-made embellishments from Little Yellow Bicycle. I think they are all from last year's collection so it's one of those products that is going to be hit or miss to find.

Same with the patterned papers I used. I used an assortment from Making Memories, Basic Grey and My Mind's Eye. From all different collections/years.

I was using up my stash. Using what I have on hand.

I love the new stuff as much as you guys do and I love to share what I find inspiring, things I want to add to my collection of stuff but I want to show that I do use my stash, too. Just like the layout from THIS post. Using stuff that you may have in your stash can be so invigorating!

How to:

 

Click HERE for the pdf handout and more at Two Peas.

Close up photos of each pennant:

 

  

 

Have a great day!

 

What I'm Using This Week | Halloween/Fall Tutorial Event Oct. 7-10

Today's is a Special Edition of What I'm Using This Week.

All of the items shared here will be making an appearance in this weekend's Halloween/Fall Tutorial Event. :) No descriptions today. Just links and photos of the products. Tutorials start Thursday morning so be sure to check back then!

Let's get started!

Products you will see used from Papertrey Ink:

Papertrey Ink Tiny Treats Halloween

Papertrey Ink Mat Stack 4 Die

Papertrey Ink Been Boo'd Stamp Set

Papertrey Ink Gobble Gobble Stamp Set

Papertrey Ink Gobble Gobble Die

Papertrey Ink Places, Please Stamp Set

Papertrey Ink Placecard Die

Products you will see used from Lawn Fawn:

Lawn Fawn Harvest Season Stamp Set               Lawn Fawn Heebie Jeebies Stamp Set

                                               

Products you will see used from Hero Arts:

Hero Arts Large Web Cling Stamp              Hero Arts Friend Definition Cling Stamp

                                               

Products you will see used from C. C. Designs:

C.C. Designs Pumpkin Stamp                       C. C. Designs Dragon Stamp

        

C. C. Designs Hero Stamp                              C. C. Designs Witch Stamp

                    

C. C. Designs Kitty                                            C. C. Designs Halloween Scene

Additional products needed:

Copic Blending Card X-Press It                               Stamping Mask Paper

Stamp-a-ma-jig                                                       Ink Blending Tool by Ranger

                                          

• Copic Markers
• Stamping Inks
• Distress Inks
• Patterned Paper
• Cardstock
• Stickers
• Punches
• Various embellishmnets (googly eyes, buttons, ribbons, string and more)

Keep in mind that with each of the daily tutorials full supply lists with exact products (if applicable) will be given.

I can't wait to share these new fall projects with you!

Check back tomorrow for an early Halloween/Fall Tutorial project: the latest class in my year-long series at Two Peas, Making the Most of Die Cutting Machines.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Linky Saturday + Vacation Photos.

I've spent the day furiously working on projects for next weekend's Fall Event here on my blog but I wanted to share a few fun things I've found.

• If you are looking for a great way to store your Copic Markers, I highly recommend THIS wire display. Simon Says Stamp is now carrying these! Yay! To see mine in action click HERE to see my studio photos blog post.

ETA: I received several questions regarding the Copic rack and what types of markers it holds so I thought I should add that info here along with a personal photo to show you what it looks like holding diff. types of markers.

Q: A quick question about the copic racks, are they only for the sketch markers, I have a mix of all three types?

A: Here is the info from the manufacturer website: "Copic Sketch Marker Wire Stand holds up to 72 Copic Sketch or Original Art Markers." 

They don't mention being able to store Ciao's in this rack but...you can.

Here is an example of my rack.

I have exactly one Ciao (colorless blender) and two Original Markers (G14 & G19). The rest are all Sketch. But you can see that you could store all three types in this rack. :) Hope this helps anyone who was wondering about that. :)

• My favorite Cloud patterned paper is back in stock at Two Peas: THIS one by American Crafts. I bought more. It was necessary. 

• THESE circle foam adhesive tabs are my favorite foam adhesive. Ever.

• Jennifer McGuire has a fabulous GIVE AWAY opportunity on her blog HERE. Check it out:

• Hero Arts has a fabulous GIVE AWAY on their blog HERE. And fun challenges. And loads of fabulous inspiration. 
• Lawn Fawn has a GIVE AWAY HERE and HERE. I am loving this company so, so much!
• Studio Calico is having a GIVE AWAY too! Check it out HERE.

And I haven't even finished editing photos from Chad & I's trip to the Pacific Northwest and the West Coast but here are a few:

Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach Oregon

Chad and I at the Astoria Tower in Astoria, Oregon

Photos taken driving through Big Sur, California

Hope you all are enjoying a wonderful weekend!

 

2Peas Weekly Challenge: Use Older Product

This week I have the weekly challenge at 2peas so no Stampin' Fun Friday today.

Instead, I have a new layout for you showcasing using lots of older product on a page.

If you're like me you probably have quite a stash of scrapping stuff. Even though I purge my supplies fairly often, I still have a lot of favorites that I hold onto.

Here's this week's challenge focusing on older product:

I get asked a lot about layering elements. Here is an example of a layered piece that includes 6 pieces:

1. Lily Bee square die cut
2. Narratives Heart Journaling paper
3. Little Yellow Bicycle round journaling tag
4. CK KOTM Ali Edwards round lined journaling sticker
5. CK KOTM Ali Edwards chipboard circle (yellow with heart)
6. Stampin' Up Metal Label/Frame

The effect is very subtle but allows for an eye catching design without a lot of fuss. I added a pop of red ribbon since the layout is very neutral. The red ties in with the red on the MM heart paper clip and red border around the October Afternoon "Hh happiness" sticker.

I tucked several tags underneath the focal point photo.

I love doing this for several reasons:

• It draws your attention to the photo.
• It's a great place to "anchor" embellishments so they don't float all over the page.
• Many times these tags have sayings/phrases that help tell your story.

This clear frame from MM is old. Really, really old. Remember when MM did frames with everything? I think I bought them all. That was back in the day when I bought everything in a collection and didn't pick and choose my favorites like I do now. However, for whatever reason, I have held on to these frames and in this case they were the perfect accent for my layout. 

All of these photos were actually used on another, old layout years ago. Years and years ago. I had used a flimsy Doodlebug (I think) paper for the background and somewhere along the way the page had gotten torn and was in bad shape. And I had used only a quote of the page. I hate that I used to do that. Not when there are so many other things I could have/should have said. I didn't need to write a novel, just tell something about the story/memory/photos, etc. I decided to rectify that with this layout.

Because I had already cropped these smaller photos (the main photo is a 4x6) and these are from the pre-digital era I decided to work with what I had and not have reprints made. I had punched all these small squares with a square punch once upon a time. I liked them lined up but they didn't quite make a long enough border for what I wanted on my page. I needed one more photo. But all I had were these four. So... I made my own square to fill in the border with an October Afternoon square sticker and the MM frame. Voila! Border problem fixed!

List of Older Products I Used:

• Crate Paper Patterned Paper (the cream floral background) from the "Cottage Collection"
• Lily Bee Designs Square Die Cut (blue floral) and Rub-on Phrase/Border
• CK KOTM Ali Edwards journaling sticker & chipboard circle (yellow w/ heart)
• Making Memories Clear Frame and Heart Shaped Paper Clip
• Narratives Heart Shaped Journaling Paper
• 7Gypsies tag

OTHER SUPPLIES

PAPER: Kraft Cardstock; Cream Smooth Cardstock (Stampin' Up)

EMBELLISHMENTS: Brown Embellished Vellum Butterflies by Jenni Bowlin; Clothesline Journal Tablet by LIttle Yellow Bicycle; Everyday Journal Tablet by Little Yellow Bicycle; Thrift Shop Word Stickers by October Afternoon; Fly A Kite Word Stickers by October Afternoon; Rustic Twine by PTI; Silk Ribbon; Metal Book Label by Stampin' Up

ENABLING ALERT

The above shape is Kerri Bradford's Friday FREEBIE this week (and really always). Her FREEBIES are always free. :)

You can get it HERE.

Kerri also has a new kit available for purchase this week featuring label shapes. I LOVE label shapes. This kit will be getting a ton of use from me. I love the fresh, funky feel to these shapes!

You can purchase your kit HERE.

Whiff of Joy October Stamps are now available.

Click HERE to purchase the newest releases.

You can see samples of some of the new stamps that I used HERE and HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!