Nichol Spohr LLC

From Start to Finish | January 2011 Month in Review

Sorry for the long blogging absence, friends. I am in the middle of too many deadlines, both work-related and real life. :) I have some fun projects coming up here over the next few days that I am happy to be able to share with you all. New Scrapbook Stamping layout + video will be up tomorrow both here and at 2Peas, a baby shower stamped invite share and of course the July Studio AE layout are all coming up soon. First, how about a look at yesterday's From Start to Finish? 

This week I really wanted to play with Ranger's Stickyback Canvas and my Sizzix Steel Rule Dies. I had created this photo collage for this year's January Month in Review layout and it provided the perfect compliment to some fun handmade embellies!  

Instead of using the positive space of the title/month die cut, I cut a 3.5x12" strip of patterned paper, figured out where I wanted it to cut and using the negative space so that the background of the layout peeks through the design.

Silhouette Shape used:

january_C00056_23851

I started by cutting the white stickyback canvas into 4" squares and painting each with the Ranger Studio Paints. If you want to print off your own color mixing chart (like the one I show in the how to video below), click HERE. The Studio Paints are my absolute favorite paints.

Once each painted square was dry (I sped up the process with a heat gun), I die cut the flowers, leaves and butterfly using the Sizzix Big Shot and Steel Rule Dies. I found that I liked the results better by painting the canvas first, then die cutting. Cleaner edges. I used my fingernail and a craft knife to distress the edges for a more "homemade feel" before adhering to my layout and embellishing with florals/ribbon/buttons. 

HOW TO

 

SUPPLIES (click photos for links):

To view this layout at 2peas, click HERE.

To view the entire From Start to Finish Series, click HERE.

SNEAK PEEK OF JULY'S SCRAPBOOK STAMPING CLASS

Join me over on the Education Forum at 2peas tomorrow for an all new Scrapbook Stamping Class! The Guest Designers have outdone themselves this month and I can't wait for you to see the amazing stamped layouts by Ali Edwards, Robyn Werlich and Kelly Marie Alvarez!!!

See you tomorrow with all the details!

From Start to Finish | Seattle (The Observant Traveler Studio AE Stamp Set)

For this week's From Start to Finish layout I wanted to focus on a journaling/stamping technique that I am particularly obsessed with at the moment. 

I love creating a big impact with my journaling by substituting certain words in computer generated (or handwritten) journaling with stamped words and/or phrases. Ali Edwards' stamps are practically perfect for this technique because her stamp sets are word/phrase focused and most have lots of similarly themed words within each set. 

For today's layout, I chose two stamp sets that are both travel/vacation themed to give me plenty of options for my journaling. 

The easiest way I have found to substitute computer generated words with stamped words is this: 

1. Sit down with your stamp sets you will be using and write out your journaling on a scratch piece of paper, referencing your stamps and trying to implement as many as you can with your own journaling. 
2. Type out journaling in word processing software (be sure to set margins, etc. to fit your paper before starting). Measure each word you are substituting and leave the appropriate amount of space for the stamp(s). 
3. Print journaling on printer paper and carefully lay out clear stamps within journaling to make sure they each fit. Make adjustments if necessary. 
4. Temporarily adhere paper over regular printer paper (hold up to light source to position exactly) and run through printer to add journaling. 
5. Stamp each word within computer generated journaling and adhere to your project! 

*see video below for specific how-to*

I love how the pops of color instantly make the journaling more interesting.

With a big title, a focus on the journaling/stamping and lots of photos I wanted to make sure and add interest and support the theme/design of the page with a few embellishments. I added gems to the eyes on this crab sticker to dress him up a bit.

A colorful button clip, rustic button and a bright die cut instantly add color in the top left corner of the page.

Finishing out the visual triangle on the page is a cluster of stickers and buttons. The visual triangle  (crab/button, clip/button/die cut and finally stickers/buttons) helps balance out the layout.

Last, but not least, I used an anywhere hole punch to customize the paper border along the bottom of the page. I backed the punched holes with a scrap of coordinating paper and added a few gems to finish it up.

 

HOW TO

 

SUPPLIES (click on photos for links):

Silhouette SD	Tim Holtz Scissors	Metallique Gems & Brads	Seaside Label Stickers	Notebook Border Punch
Poppy Button Embellishment Clips	White 12x12 AC Cardstock Pack	Basic Gray Ink Pad	Cough Syrup Dye Ink	Toy Box Buttons
The Littlest Things Family Dynamix Collection Paper	Fancy Buttons	Are We There Yet? Stamps	On the Edge	Hometown Summer Collection Punchouts
A Date With Ali Stamp Set	Escape	Picture This Go Long Kit	The Observant Traveler Stamp Set	Ice Sprinkles Sophisticates Paper
Borders N Blocks Hello Beautiful Paper	Cute Cuts Hello Beautiful Paper	Near Mint Thrift Shop Collection Paper	Wonderful Tickled Pink Fine & Dandy Paper

To view this layout at 2Peas, click HERE.

To view the entire From Start to Finish Series at 2Peas, click HERE.

To see more layouts using this journaling/stamping technique:

• San Francisco (using The Observant Traveler Studio AE June Stamp Set)
• Celebrate U. (using Lawn Fawn Plus One Stamp Set)

Have a good one!

June Studio AE Stamp Set + Summer Card Camp 2011 *GIVEAWAY WINNERS*

The June Studio AE Stamp Set, The Observant Traveler is in stock at 2Peas HERE!

This is a fantastic stamp set that is perfect for all those summer vacations, anytime vacations, "stay"cations and more. To see a layout sample I created with this stamp set, click HERE. And be sure to check out 2Peas this Wednesday for my From Start to Finish Series layout & video for another layout example using this stamp set!

***Summer Card Camp GIVEAWAY WINNERS Announced***

The randomly selected winners of the Summer Card Camp Class by Jennifer McGuire & Kristina Werner are:

• Anso (comment posted June 16, 2011 at 08:40 AM)
• Kris in Alaska (comment posted June 17, 2011 at 12:54 AM)
• Celia Smoot (comment posted June 16, 2011 at 12:08 PM)

Please email me at [email protected] with the email address you want to use for the class so that I can pass your information along to Jennifer & Kristina. Enjoy the class!!!

Father's Day Card

I spent the other day just playing with some stamps that I hadn't had the opportunity (or more likely time) to use or use very much yet.

I created this simple Father's Day Card for my husband. Just a little something to express how much I appreciate him and what a great Dad he is to our kids. It's a simple card made interesting with layering of die cut and stamped elements. I also added some stamping inside the card to finish it off. 

To create the card:

• Trim the PTI Rustic White cardstock to 4.25x11" and score in half. Stamp background with open airplane design from PTI Fly Away Stamp Set using Stampin' Up Marina Mist Ink. Stamp star from set using SU Crushed Curry Ink.

• Die cut Hero Arts Azure layering paper using PTI Mat Stack 5 die. Stamp label design from PTI Tiny Treat Birthday Stamp Set using SU Pacific Point Ink. Adhere to center of card base.
• Layer black/white striped ribbon on top of stamped label and notch ends.
• Die cut PTI Rustic White cardstock with PTI Double Ended Banner Die and stamp with PTI Ribbon Tails design using SU Crushed Curry Ink. Adhere over ribbon. Add buttons adorned with string ad shown.
• Die cut PTI Smokey Shadow Cardstock using Label Basics Die. Stamp background with Hero Arts Envelope Pattern Background Stamp using SU Basic Gray Ink. Stamp label with PTI Label Basics Stamp using Colorbox Frost White Ink. Stamp greeting from Technique Tuesday Dad Rocks Stamp Set using Frost White Ink.

• Die cut PTI Airplane from Fly Away Stamp Set and stamp with PTI Fly Away stamp inked with SU Marina Mist Ink and "kissed" (see technique HERE) with SU Pacific Point Ink. It gives the airplane a bit of texture. Adhere airplane to label with foam adhesive.

• Stamp closed heart from TT Studio AE January 2011 Stamp Set with SU Crushed Curry Ink. Stamp open heart from same set over the first one using SU Basic Gray Ink. Punch out with 3/4" circle punch and adhere to label with foam adhesive.
• Adhere label to the center of card.
• Stamp greeting on the inside of card with PTI Inside & Out Thank You Stamp Set using SU Basic Gray Ink and TT Studio AE Sentimentally Ali Stamp Set with SU Marina Mist Ink.

SUPPLIES (click photos for links):

Scoring Board	Sizzix Big Shot	Tim Holtz Scissors	Circles Foam Tabs	Beetle Black Boutique Buttons
January Studio AE	Envelope Pattern Wood Mounted Stamp	Basic Gray Ink Pad	Frost White Ink	Rustic White Cardstock
Smokey Shadow Cardstock	Premium Paper Trimmer 12"	Frost White Ink @2Peas	Double Ended Banner Die	Perfect Match Cardstock
Marina Mist Ink	Pacific Point Ink	Fly Away Stamp Set & Die	Label Basics Stamp Set & Die	Inside & Out Thank You
Ribbon Tails Stamp Set	Tiny Treats Birthday	Hero Arts Envelope Pattern Background Stamp

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. Thanks for looking!

Summer Card Camp 2011 ***GIVE AWAY x 3***

Get ready for a summer full of colorful cardmaking fun with Summer Card Camp 2011.

Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner have teamed up to bring you a 4-week workshop loaded with fresh color combos, cutting edge techniques, and versatile sketches that will leave you feeling inspired to create! Summer Card Camp is your all-access pass to 48 new card ideas, daily PDFs, twice weekly videos, guest designers (including me!), huge prizes and access to a private blog where you can share your own creations. For more information and to register, visit http://onlinecardclasses.com/summercardcamp2011/classinfo.html. 

And I am giving away 3 spots in the class!

Just leave a comment on this blog post telling me what you love about summer

by June 20, 2011 12:00 p.m. CST.

If you are picked as a winner and have already signed up, you will be given a refund.

 

I love these two gals so much and can't wait to see what they have cooked up for us in this class! 

Check back tomorrow for a brand new stamped card share! See you then...

From Start to Finish | Celebrate U.

***This is the 2nd of two blog posts today. If you're looking for my Lawn Fawn Blissful Botanicals card, click HERE.***

I can't seem to get enough of 2-page layouts here the last few weeks. I wanted to scrapbook a baby shower we had for my sister in law last fall and I had lots of photos to use so this is another photo-heavy layout but I made sure to add lots of handmade touches to "jazz" it up a little. 

I used a couple of Kerri Bradford's collage templates to create the 8x8 and 5x10 photo collages. I cut one of the 8x8 photo collages apart to create the illusion of the 2x4 photos spanning the 2 pages.

The title is from one of Kerri's digital die cutting kits, It's All About You (linked below in supplies). I added some old Lily Bee Rub-ons around the title along the top border of the page.

I added a couple of die cut hearts near the title to complete the visual triangle with the hearts below the vertical photo collage and in the lower right corner of the page.

To create the handmade hearts, I first used Tim Holtz' Movers & Shakers Hearts dies to die cut Stickyback Canvas, felt and American Crafts Fabric Paper. I customized the canvas die cut hearts by stamping and embossing, then applying Distress Stains over top. The stamped and embossed images resisted the ink leaving me with distressed stamped canvas hearts. I frayed the edges for a more worn look. I randomly stitched buttons to some of the hearts on the page for additional embellishment (plus they secure the fabric or felt hearts to the page without additional adhesive!).

I used the same technique as from THIS post to add stamped words/phrases in my computer generated journaling. (I also explain the technique in the how to video below).

HOW TO

 

SUPPLIES (click photos for links):

Large Plaid Pattern Wood Block Stamp	Silhouette SD	Sizzix Big Shot	Bumblebee Boutique Buttons
Limeade Boutique Buttons	Tim Holtz Scissors	Tiny Attacher	Big & Bossy
Postage Stamp Border Punch	Precision Heat Embossing Tool	12x12 Sticky Back Canvas	8.5x11 Sticky Back Canvas
Swimming Pool Boutique Button Assortment	White 12x12 AC Cardstock Pack	Felt 1 Happy Go Lucky Collection	Plus One
Plus One	Ducks in a Row Word Stickers	Corner Chomper @2Peas	Premium Paper Trimmer 12"
Felt	Picture This Squared	Picture This Go Long Kit	Sunshine Splash Coll. Paper
Leaf Small Dot Metropolitan Paper	Teal Large Dot Metropolitan Paper	Tim Holtz Hearts Dies	Movers & Shakers Sizzix Base Tray
Worn Lipstick Distress Ink	Broken China Distress Stain	Peeled Paint Distress Stain	Spun Sugar Distress Stain
Ducks in a Row Collection Kit	Orange Polka Dot Lush Collection	It's All About You Kit

To see the entire From Start to Finish series at 2Peas, click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lawn Fawn | June Inspiration Week (Blissful Botanicals)

*This is the first of 2 posts today. If you are looking for this week's From Start to Finish layout + video, click HERE.*

Today the Lawn Fawn Design Team is focusing on yet another new stamp set, Blissful Botanicals.

This stamp set has quickly become my go-to for all things floral. I am addicted to stamping, coloring and cutting out these leaves to use with florals of all kinds. I used them with die cut felt flowers on my card below and with Doodlebug button flowers on this month's Scrapbook Stamping layout HERE. If you are taking Jennifer McGuire & Kristina Werner's new Summer Card Camp Online class you will see another example showcasing these leaves. They are perfect for just about anything! 

Speaking of Jennifer & Kristina's Summer Card Camp Class.... you will want to check back on Thursday the 16th...I will be giving away 3 spots for their class!!!

To create the card:

1. Trim Papertrey Ink New Leaf cardstock to 4x5.25". Round top right corner with 1/2" corner rounder.
2. Use Stampin' Up Garden Green ink to stamp Lawn Fawn Blissful Botanicals leaf border stamp on background, alternating directions with each stamping.
3. Trim vellum to 1x4". Trim New Leaf cardstock to 3/4x4". Stamp greeting using Frost White Ink using LF Sophie's Sentiments. Adhere greeting strip to vellum. Layer over PTI Harvest Gold Topnotch Twill. Machine stitch to background. Fold over ribbon and secure in place with Tiny Attacher.
4. Die cut flowers from PTI Pure Poppy, Royal Velvet and Harvest Gold Felt using My Favorite Things Upsy Daisy Die. Layer felt flowers and sew white button to the center of each. Adhere to card with glue dots.
5. Stamp LF Blissful Botanicals leaves on Neenah white cardstock and color in with Copics. Cut out leaves, leaving a thin white border and tuck under felt flowers as shown, adhering with glue dots.
6. Round top right corner of white card and adhere card base to notecard.

Blissful Botanicals	Blissful Botanicals	Sizzix Big Shot	Copic Markers @ Simon Says Stamp
Memento Tuxedo Black	Lily White Boutique Buttons	Tim Holtz Scissors	Tiny Attacher
Neenah Solar White Cardstock	Retractable Craft Pick	Copic Sketch Markers @2Psinabucket	Scoring Board
Frost White Ink	Sophie's Sentiments	Upsy Daisy Things Die-namics	Corner Chomper @2Peas
Premium Paper Trimmer 12"	Frost White Ink @2Peas	Perfect Match Cardstock	Felt
YG01 Green Bice	YG03 Yellow Green	YG05 Salad	YG17 Grass Green

Check out the rest of the Lawn Fawn Design Team's samples using Blissful Botanicals HERE.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for 3 chances to win a spot in the upcoming Summer Card Camp Class!

Lawn Fawn | June Inspiration Week (Schoolhouse Backdrops)

Happy Tuesday, stamping friends!

Today the Lawn Fawn Design Team is focusing on another new stamp set, Schoolhouse Backdrops.

I am a huge fan of Lawn Fawn's backdrop stamp sets. I love that you can create simple backgrounds that really add that little something to a stamped project. I especially love how you can create custom notebook paper looks with this particular stamp set. SO fun!

I created a notebook paper look for the base of my card, complete with a punched border that I crinkled a bit to resemble an actual notebook page torn from a notebook.

I also die cut and stamped a couple of labels, then added lined backgrounds with Schoolhouse Backdrops. The subtle tone on tone look really adds to the look of the labels and to the overall "texture" and look of the card.

To create the card:

1. Trim Hawaiian Shores Papertrey Ink cardstock to 4x5.25". Starting at the bottom edge, stamp one of the Lawn Fawn Schoolhouse backdrops stamps using Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay Ink. Repeat until you're about 1/2" from the top. Then using the single line stamp from Schoolhouse Backdrops, finish the stamped design. 
2. Punch the top edge of the paper with a notebook edge border punch.
3. Stamp the greeting using Lawn Fawn's On the Mend stamp set and Stampin' Up Basic Gray Ink.
4. Adhere wide ribbon to the stamped background, securing with staples.
5. Die cut large label from PTI Simply Chartreuse cardstock using PTI Label Basics die. Stamp border with SU Basic Gray ink using PTI Label Basics Stamp Set. Stamp lined background in SU Kiwi Kiss ink using Schoolhouse Backdrops.
6. Punch 1 3/4" circle from PTI Harvest Gold cardstock. Stamp border with SU Basic Gray ink using PTI Label Basics Stamp Set. Stamp lined background in SU Crushed Curry ink using Schoolhouse Backdrops.
7. Sew buttons to the ends of the label as shown.
8. Adhere circle label to rectangular label and adhere over ribbon with foam adhesive.
9. Stamp band-aid stamp from LF On the Mend on Neenah Solar White cardstock. Color in with Copics and cut out. Adhere to circle label.
10. Punch hearts and adhere to card as shown. Embellish with gems.
11. Adhere stamped piece to white card base and add mini clips. Crinkle notebook edge for realistic look.

SUPPLIES (click on photos for links):

Check out the rest of the Lawn Fawn Design Team's samples using Schoolhouse Backdrops HERE.

Thanks for stopping by! See you tomorrow with From Start to Finish and another Lawn Fawn Inspiration Week card sample.

Lawn Fawn | June Inspiration Week (On the Mend)

It's time for another Inspiration Week brought to you by Lawn Fawn.

Today the Design Team is focusing on the new On the Mend Stamp Set.

On the Mend has the most adorable images and phrases for all those get well cards and projects. I fell in love with the cute little turtle. I colored and cut him out before adhering him to some die cut labels (My Favorite Things) and added googly eyes to give him some whimsical character. The rich purples and greens give this card a more elegant feel that makes it perfect for a child or an adult.

To create my card:

1. I first cut the Plum Pudding Papertrey Ink cardstock in half (4.25x11) and scored it in the middle at 5.5".
2. I cut the Rustic White PTI cardstock to 3.75x5.5", distressed the edges and adhered it to the card front.
3. I cut the Simply Chartreuse PTI cardstock to 3.5x5.5" and stamped images from Lawn Fawn's Petite Florals stamp set in the lower right corner and upper left corner using Stampin' Up's Kiwi Kiss Ink for a tone on tone look and adhered the piece to the card.
4. Next, I used the My Favorite Things Die-namics Layered Labels Dies to die cut Plum Pudding, Royal Velvet and Lavender Moon PTI cardstock. I adhered the Royal Velvet label to the card base and then the Plum Pudding label.
5. I layered Simply Chartreuse Saddle Stitch Ribbon and Plum Pudding Topnotch Twill PTI Ribbons, notching the ends and sewing Doodlebug Buttons to each end.
6. I stamped the Lawn Fawn On the Mend Turtle in the center of the Lavender Moon die cut using black ink and then stamped the greeting using Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Up Ink. I drew "stitching lines around the perimeter with a white pen.
7. I stamped the turtle on white Neenah cardstock and colored him in with Copics, then cut him out and adhered him to the label. I glued on googly eyes and adhered the label with foam adhesive.

SUPPLIES (click on photos for links):

On the Mend	On the Mend	Scoring Board	Sizzix Big Shot
Copic Markers @ Simon Says Stamp	Memento Tuxedo Black	Tim Holtz Scissors	Distresser
Tiny Attacher	Circles Foam Tabs	White Pen	Neenah Solar White Cardstock
Lilac Boutique Button Assortment	Copic Sketch Markers @2Psinabucket	Rich Razzleberry Ink	Premium Paper Trimmer 12"
Perfect Match Cardstock	Petite Florals @2Peas	Petite Florals @Simon	YG21 ANISE
YG23 New Leaf	YG25 Celadon Green	YG17 Grass Green	RV63 Begonia
RV66 Raspberry	G07 Nile Green	RV69 Peony

Check out the rest of the Lawn Fawn Design Team's samples HERE.

Thanks for stopping by today. I'll be back tomorrow with another Lawn Fawn Stamped Card. See you then!

Get Ready For: Lawn Fawn's June Inspiration Week!

Starting tomorrow the Lawn Fawn Design Team will be sharing stamping ideas using 3 of the stamp sets from their latest release! 

Lawn Fawn at Simon Says Stamp:

Blissful Botanicals

On the Mend

Schoolhouse Backdrops

Lawn Fawn at Two Peas in a Bucket:

Blissful Botanicals

On the Mend

Schoolhouse Backdrops

I can't wait to share ideas for using these sets with you. Blissful Botanicals and On the Mend are two of my new favorite stamp sets. I have used Blissful Botanicals a bunch already (and on this month's Scrapbook Stamping Class Layout HERE). On the Mend is that perfect stamp set for all those get well wishes cards with the perfect sentiments and images!

How about a little sneak peek of tomorrow's card share?

Check back tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. Central (8 Eastern) to see the entire card. :)

Be sure to stop by the Lawn Fawn Blog Today for a chance to win all 3 stamp sets!

Happy Sunday!