Nichol Spohr LLC

From Start to Finish | Lucky Me.

This week's From Start to Finish layout is die cut heavy. Almost every element on my page was created using a design from the Silhouette Online Store (see images/list below). 

I wanted to create a page with 4 quadrants and instead of the standard 6x6 or 5x5, etc. I decided to use a 2-frame die cut, cut twice and overlapped to create the quadrant design.

Instead of placing all my elements behind the frames, I cut the large square scallope and die cut background and layered them on top of the frame opening.

I purposefully sized my largest photo somewhat smaller than the opening, leaving a white border around the photo for a matted effect.

I computer printed some journaling on a My Mind's Eye label for my subtitle and added stamping on the die cut "tabs" to reinforce the theme of my page.

Close up of journaling and die cut layering.

Silhouette Shapes Used:

 
sentiment_stacks-lucky_me_C00112_27205 

flower_4petal_square_1225 

flower_4petal_1222 

square_scallop_MED_1201 

3_frames_C00775_20509 

 
bookmark_three_C00826_19547 

HOW TO

 

SUPPLIES (click on photos for links):

InLinkz.com

To view this layout at 2Peas, click HERE.

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

I wanted to let my From Start to Finish followers know that this week's layout + video are my last. I have resigned my position as a Garden Girl at 2Peas. I  have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Garden Girl these last three years and I appreciate all the support the community has given me and my projects there. I will, however, be bringing you the final 3 Scrapbook Stamping Class Lessons for 2011 and have some amazing guest designers lined up for these final classes! Be sure to check the Garden at 2Peas on the first of the month for October's Scrapbook Stamping Class!

Nichol

One more thing to check out today:

I did a podcast interview with the fabulous Lain Ehmann yesterday! You can check it out HERE and HERE. (And please be advised that I feel like a lame goofball being interviewed, however, Lain is super awesome and we talk about my class for True Scrap which is FUN! It's not long, check it out if you have some time.) :)

To register for The Spawn of True Scrap, click the banner below:

Anyone who is registered by 9/30 will be entered to win one of these fabulous prizes:

9/30 Drawing

Simple Scrapper download - 1 year Simple Pages / Simple Projects subscription to 1 winner

1 free class (choice of Keep Calm & Stay Organized, Light Your Fire, or any class in the next year) to 1 winner (courtesy of Jennifer Wilson and Erin Bassett)

Hero Arts digi goodies (courtesy of Jennifer McGuire) 

Paperclipping membership (courtesy of Noell Hyman)

Digital Scrapbooking Basics (courtesy of Paula Gilarde)

"Exposure" online photography class (courtesy of Katrina Kennedy)

Jenni Bowlin October kit, plus vintage holiday release (courtesy of Lisa Dickinson and Jenni Bowlin)

Scraphappy membership (courtesy of Lain Ehmann)

4 classes in each of Online Card Class and Inspiration Showcase (courtesy of Jennifer McGuire)

Pass for two to Shimelle.com class of your choice (courtesy of Shimelle Laine)

 

From Start to Finish | Family Is Precious

This week I thought it would be fun to showcase some of my favorite products that I use all the time: Doodlebug Buttons and Jewels. These two products are staples in my craft stash and I use them all the time.

Because I was going for such a colorful look with bright, fun products, I chose to keep the background super simple with white and black cardstock. I machine stitched around the black cardstock border three times to add yet another "layer", if you will to the background.

I wanted the title to really "blend in" to the rest of the design so I stamped a phrase on a ledger die cut heart, trimmed the top and bottom of the heart and adhered it to another die cut patterned paper heart. All the stamps I used to day are from the September Studio AE Stamp Set: Family Is. I love this stamp set. I know I say this all the time about Ali's stamps but they are just so versatile and that makes me happy.

The larger hearts were die cut using my favorite heart die from My Favorite Things: Hearts A Plenty (linked below in supplies). This is the perfect sized heart. I love it!

I also used stamps on some Jillibean Soup sticker labels. They add a nice touch to the design and break up the heart and circle shapes that are prevalent in the design. I used a Stampin' Up clip and some ribbon to dress up this heart.

I used a Tim Holtz mini clip to dress up the other heart with a stamped sticker label. Also, the two hearts with sticker labels and the journaling circle form a "visual triangle" on the page and help move your eye across the design.

I used circle shaped photos on my page to eliminate those harsh lines you would get with square or rectangular photos. The circles are yet another way to help your eye move across the page. I also adhered all the circle photos/stickers from the bottom left corner to the top right corner of the page.

Closer look at journaling dressed up with another stamped phrase from the Sept. Studio AE stamp set.

HOW TO

 

SUPPLIES (click on photos for links)

InLinkz.com

Click HERE to view this week's layout and video at Two Peas in a Bucket.

Click HERE to view the entire 2011 From Start to Finish Series at Two Peas in a Bucket.

Links for more projects/layouts I've created using my favorite Doodlebug Boutique Buttons:

Boutique Buttons make the perfect centers for stamped snowflakes:

Scrapbook Stamping January 2011 (original post HERE)

The flower Boutique Buttons make the perfect accents with leaf accents. I stamped and colored my leaf accents on this layout:

Scrapbook Stamping June 2011 (original post HERE)

Boutique Buttons are the perfect simple page accent. I lined them up border-style on this layout:

Scrapbook Stamping July 2011 (original post HERE)

These Beetle Black Boutique Buttons easily dress up the wheels on this die cut and stamped bicyle:

From Start to Finish August 31, 2011 (original post HERE)

The flower buttons add interest & dimension to the leaf border:

From Start to Finish May 18, 2011 (original post HERE)

I love using the solid yellow Boutique Buttons for sunshine accents:

Sending Smiles Card (original post HERE)

Boutique Buttons make the perfect finishing touch on banners and labels:

Enjoy the Ride Card (original post HERE)

On the Mend Card (original post HERE)

Wishing You a Speedy Recovery Card (original post HERE)

From Start to Finish | Super Hero Stuff

This week's From Start to Finish layout features the Design Principle of Proportion/Scale as part of 2Peas Design School feature. I "divided" my page into 2 halfs (each 6x12") and added the photos/journaling/title so that each side was in proportion to each other. Similarly, the scale of each side of the layout is very similar lending the layout to a nice balance. There are many, many ways to use these design principles and I chose to keep all my elements very similar in size to one another. I could have also created a bunch of smaller photos and a large oversize title or used one really big photo with a small title, etc. 

I used a die cut design from the Silhouette Online Store (by Loni Stevens) for my title:

super_hero_stuff_phrase_C01079_19547

I wanted the word "hero" to really pop so instead of cutting it from kraft cardstock like the other words, I cut it from both red and turquoise cardstocks and layered them. I used Studio Calico Mister Huey white spray ink on the kraft die cut words.Some older Cosmo Cricket rub-ons complete the title.

I love the "texture" spray inks add to plain die cuts.

I used some of the jouranling cards from the Turquoise Becky Higgins Project Life kit as "tabs" on my layout. They make great little accents on pages! October Afternoon stickers complete the little collage of accents.

I added another October Afternoon border sticker under the photo border on the right side of the page to balance the design. I also die cut a star using a Sizzix die and added a punched vellum circle over the top before finishing the accent with an American Crafts Flair badge.

Close up of journaling.

SUPPLIES (click on photos for links):

InLinkz.com

HOW TO

 

To view this week's layout + video at 2Peas, click HERE.

To view the entire 2011 From Start to Finish series at 2Peas, click HERE.

From Start to Finish | Going Places

This week's layout features the Design Principle of Repetition as part of Two Peas in a Bucket's Design School Series.

Be sure to check out the Design Garden at 2Peas to see all the new Design School projects by the Garden Girls.

I used repeating cloud elements (patterned paper, cloud stamps and cloud punches) throughout my layout. Not only does repetition give a pleasing design but it creates a cohesive finished design.

I used this title/design from the Silhouette Online Store by Loni Stevens:

going_places_arrow_C00374_19547 

I cute the entire design from black cardstock and then used smaller 6x6 patterned papers from the coordinating Fly A Kite 6x6 Designer Paper Pad to die cut the title again to give it a bit of color.

I stamped a sub-title using a phrase stamp from Hero Arts.

The bicycle die cut is designed to work with the coordinating stamp set (linked below). I stamped the bicyle with Stampin' Up Pure Poppy Ink and added Doodlebug buttons to the center of the bicycles wheels for embellishment.

The clouds stamps are brand new designs from Studio Calico/Hero Arts that you will be seeing on everything. They are my favorites. I absolutely adore how the coordinate with the Fiskars Cloud Punches.

HOW TO

 

SUPPLIES (click on photos for links):

Stampin' Up Inks Used:

• Pool Party
• Pure Poppy

Click HERE to view this week's layout at 2Peas.

Click HERE to view the entire 2011 From Start to Finish Series.

***DON'T FORGET!***

Today's the last day to save up to $5 on Ella Publishing Boot Camp 2011!

The price of Boot Camp goes up from $30 to $33 TOMORROW.

Register now for $3 off plus use the coupon code SALUTE to save an additional $2 for a total of $5 off the registration price! *Please note the coupon code is good until September 24th.*

Click the banner for additional details and to sign up NOW!

I'm giving a spot away in the class. Click HERE to leave a comment for a chance to win.

If you have already signed up and paid for the event, Ella Publishing will refund your registration fee if you win a giveaway spot!

TOMORROW IS THE DAY TO REGISTER FOR...

Click on the banner above to sign up now to be notified when you can register.

17 Instructors

with instructional videos

virtual make n takes

More details coming tomorrow! This is an AMAZING event that you won't want to miss.

From Start to Finish | Top Ten List (and lots & lots of other stuff!)

This week's From Start to Finish layout showcases a couple of techniques:

1. I explain in a bit more detail how I print my journaling on pre-made tags or stamped journaling spots.
2. My layout showcases the design principle of Continuity/Unity as part of 2Peas Design School event that is taking place over the next few weeks. Be sure to check out the Design Garden for incredible layouts, cards and projects showcasing this design principle and others. 

I achieved continuity/unity in my design a couple of ways:

1. I used patterend papers all from My Little Shoebox which automatically gives a unified look to the design.
2. I created my layout in borders: the title border, punched scalloped borders, a border of tags/jounaling/embellishments, the photo border and finally the paper/scalloped border at the bottom of the page.

For my title this week, I chose a design from the Silhouette Store. I wanted a horizontal title rather than vertical so I cut the welded "Top Ten" apart to stretch it along the top of my page. Don't be afraid to alter your die cuts to work with your layouts.

top_ten_list_C00230_19547 

Because my title was cut from one of the My Little Shoebox patterned papers and was being layered on one of the coordinating papers, I cut the title from a solid brown cardstock to give it a bit of a shadow. I do this a lot to give my die cut titles dimension and in this case to help "pop" it off the background paper.

Stamping Bella has some great unmounted rubber stamps that are perfect for journaling blocks on scrapbook layouts. I used one of them on my page today. I love how I will never run out of these and can stamp them in any color. Plus, if I mess it up, I am not out anything other than my time to make another one!

Here are the Stamping Bella Journaling Stamps I love for scrapbooking:

• Top Ten Favorite Things Stamp
• 10 Things I Love About You Stamp
• 10 Random Facts About You Stamp

Stamping Bella also has these incredible definition stamps that make the perfect accents for scrapbook layouts. I love these:

And of course, Ali Edwards' August Studio AE Stamp Set, This One is fabulous. I  used it to create my own label accents (along with Papertrey Ink's Label Basics Stamp Set)...

... and along the bottom border of the page to support the page's theme and give that bottom border a little somethin' somethin'. :)

HOW TO

 

SUPPLIES (click on photos for links):

To view this week's layout/video at 2Peas, click HERE.

To view the entire 2011 From Start to Finish Weekly Series at 2Peas, click HERE.

NEW STUDIO CALICO/HERO ARTS STAMP SETS IN STOCK @2PEAS!

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned in THIS blog post how excited I was that Studio Calico & Hero Arts teamed up to created new stamp sets and background stamps and they are IN STOCK at 2Peas right now! The Hooray Stamp Set (banners/clouds/etc) is the stamp set that includes two cloud stamps that perfectly fit the XLarge Cloud Punch and Large Cloud Punch by Fiskars. I highly recommend  picking those up if you haven't already (and are as addicted to clouds as me!). SUPER fun to use on both cards and scrapbook layouts! 

ALSO, THE HA/SC STAMMPS ARE IN STOCK AT SIMON SAYS STAMP!

(both cloud punches are in stock here as well as all 9 Hero/Studio Calico Stamp Sets!)

ALL 9 NEW LAWN FAWN FALL/HOLIDAY STAMP SETS ARE IN STOCK AT SIMON SAYS STAMP...

...AND THE JUNE, JULY & AUGUST STUDIO AE STAMP SETS ARE IN STOCK AT SIMON SAYS STAMP! (and for a great retail price of $14.99)

If you love online classes, check out this special sneak peek of

The Spawn of True Scrap....

I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of this event.

General registration opens on 9/1...so get ready! 

See if you can guess which project sneaky peeky is mine in the promotional video. ;) 

 

 More information coming soon!

 

 

From Start to Finish | This is What Life is All About

For this week's layout I combined a bunch of papers and embellishments from the new MME Lost & Foun, Too Collection to create my layout. Where it is always fun to mix and match papers and embellishments from different manufacturers when creating a layout, it is also highly enjoyable to take a single collection that already coordinates and quickly and easily assemble a meaningful and well-constructed layout.

 I used a die cut stacked style title for my page from the Silhouette Store:

phrase_life_1885 

Even thought this adorable pre-made coordinating banner die cut from MME is cute on it's own, I added a bit of string and a MME button to give it a little extra somethin' somethin'.

One of my favorite things about the papers in the new MME Lost & Found, Too Collections is the pre-printed labels right on some of the patterned papers. For my layout, I made sure to cut the glitter dot paper with the text label so that I could use it as an embellishment on my page. 

Then, I die cut a bunch of butterflies, layered them on top of some punched circles and added it to the pre-printed "label". A "sewn on" button, fabric brad and label sticker complete the embellishment. Super easy.

Close up peek of the journaling:

HOW TO

 

SUPPLIES (click on photos for links):

Click HERE to see this week's From Start to Finish layout + video at 2Peas.

Click HERE to view the entire 2011 From Start to Finish series at 2Peas.

Just a reminder about the Fall Boot Camp coming up 

Sept. 19-24, 2011:

Click HERE (or on the cute little elephant logo in the left sidebar) to read all about the event and to sign up now!

If you sign up between now and August 31st, you can save $3 off the registration fee.

At this price it makes it less than $2 per video!!!

 

 

From Start to Finish (Focus on Kerri Bradford Designs Day #3) | Every Minute

This week's layout began centered around the adorable MME Lime Twist Journaling Tag. I loved the number list style journaling and it made the perfect canvas to add tidbits about my youngest son at 7 months old. A large photo to showcase the milestone and 3 small 2x2" supporting photos along with bright colorful patterned papers and die cuts give a fun feel to this bright page.

I grouped Kerri's die cuts together on my page to make a big impact, starting with (of course) the die cut title. Kerri's titles are one of those things that just make me happy, ya know? I love how they work for almost anything and aren't so theme specific that you use them once and can never use them again. This particular phrase would make a gorgeous card sentiment as well. hmmm.... me thinks I need to make a card with this ASAP!

Here's a list of the digi die cut kits I used (and which design I used from each):

• This & That: Spring [Just Shapes]: kite (I love that it comes with all the elements to put together a kite (all 4 pieces, a solid backign piece, the "t" shaped divider to layer on top and even the kite string bows!)
• This & That Family [Just Shapes]: the title
• Borderlines #1: scalloped border cut from orange cardstock

I also stamped some clouds using some of my favorite stamps from a Studio Calicio kit a few months back (Candy Shoppe). I love, love, love that Studio Calico designs these exclusive stamps for their kits that coordinate with some of the Fiskars Punches. It's a bummer, though, when they aren't available anymore (like these). However, Hero Arts and Studio Calico have teamed up to create some fabulous stamp sets and I can't wait to get my hand on THIS one. New cloud stamps for my Fiskars punches. Happiness!

Here's that My Mind's Eye journaling tag that started this whole layout. LOVE this tag. It comes in the primary colors like you see below and HERE in the 2Peas store. And it also comes in a more "girlie" version/colors HERE.

I added a sticker sub-title right on top of the photo. I love adding elements on top of a really large photo. I think it helps tie the whole design together.

I didn't bother cutting the product tag off the bottom of the journaling die cut. I simply covered it up with an additional sticker and an October Afternoon Tin Pin.

I changed the smaller supporting photos to black/white and resized them to 2x2 before printing and cutting them into a little photo border for my page. Additional stickers grouped together finish the page.

HOW TO

 

Supplies for Every Minute Layout:

To view this layout at 2Peas, click HERE.

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

From Start to Finish | Reptile Gardens

Happy Wednesday Scrapping Friends! 
This week I wanted to continue with my vacation themed pages from my family's recent summer travels and also touch on the stamping technique from this month's Scrapbook Stamping Class (Resist Stamping). The August class layout and video can be viewed HERE or HERE. 

I managed to fit 20 photos on this 2-page spread. 

I went with bright and colorful patterned papers to match the mood and feel of the birds and flowers in the photos. 

I used the journaling die cuts that coordinate with the My Little Shoebox collections and layered them for the florals on my page. To create the coordinating leaves, I first die cut the Hero Arts leaves that coordinate with the stamps from smooth white cardstock (the digital die cut designs can be purchased directly from the Hero Arts Online Store). Next I stamped the leaves with Versamark and heat set each with white embossing powder. Then, using the resist technique I sprayed the leaves with Studio Calico mists to add color. The embossed parts of the image "resist" the ink. Instant colorful leaves! 

The word "reptile" in the title was die cut using Stampin' Up alpha steel rule dies for the Sizzix Big Shot. I die cut the letters from the My Little Shoebox diecuts that I wasn't going to use.

I did this for a couple of reasons:

1. I didn't have to trim any paper down to run through the Sizzix. The die cuts were already small in size and perfectly proportioned for the alpha dies. 
2. The colors of the dies perfectly matched the papers/design of my page. 
3. This is a great way to use up those diecuts that you may not use "as is".

I sprayed the die cut letters with white ink to slightly dull/distress them. 

I also die cut the word "gardens" from white cardstock using a font in my Silhouette software. I then added color to the die cut with spray ink and let it dry before adhering to my layout. 

This is the font I used from the Silhouette Store:

snfmissmolly 

For the journaling I replaced some of the words with stamped words from the June Studio AE Stamp Set. I have gotten my mileage from this stamp set. So great for any travel-themed or vacation-themed layout! 

Additional examples for this journaling technique can be seen HERE, HERE and HERE.

HOW TO

 

SUPPLIES (click on photos for links):

To view this week's layout and video at 2peas, click HERE.

To view the entire From Start to Finish series at 2peas, click HERE.

Please check in bright and early tomorrow morning for a fun stampy blog hop featuring Denami Design + Lawn Fawn Stamps. It will be inky fun (with chances to win prizes!).

From Start to Finish | I've Got Personality

Happy Saturday!

I didn't mean to neglect my blog this past week. I am in the middle of 2 fairly big projects/classes and time just got away from me! I'll be sharing info on these upcoming classes soon!

Here is the From Start to Finish layout + video from Two Peas this week:

We all have those photos that don't particularly go with any one event or celebration but yet when you compile them they can tell a story all of their own. For this week's layout, I searched through all 12 months of 2010 for photos of my youngest son making silly faces or doing something crazy. I picked my 7 favorites for this layout detailing his "personality" at five. 

I am always a big advocate for creating your own accents, whether it be stamping, die cutting, etc. but sometimes pre-made stickers and embellishments say just what you want to say and they make creating a layout super quick and easy. I combined stickers from Bella Blvd and October Afternoon and "dressed them up" by layering stickers and adding brads either to the stickers or close to them to complete this simple page. 

HOW TO

 

SUPPLIES (click on photos for links):

To view this week's From Start to Finish layout at Two Peas, click HERE.

To view the entire From Start to Finish series at Two Peas, click HERE.

From Start to Finish | This Day

I have been wanting to try out the new Digital Die Cuts by Hero Arts that perfectly coordinate with several of their physical stamps for awhile now. I absolutely love the idea of having die cuts that are already perfectly sized for stamping. No resizing the images to fit the stamps and absolutely no hand cutting around intricately stamped images. What could be better? 

For this week's layout I converted my photos to black and white (the colors in the original photos were a bit funky) before placing them in this photo collage template by Kerri Bradford (linked below).

I die cut the Hero Arts Dancing With Flowers design from Neenah Smooth White Cardstock. This is the white cardstock I use for pretty much everything. It's a nice thick (but not too thick) weight, it's perfect for getting nice smooth stamped results and perfect for copic coloring. 

I stamped the coordinating Hero Arts image using Stampin' Up Basic Gray Ink.

For my title, I used some new stamps from Hampton Art. I love the versatility of these stamps. Great fonts and perfect for scrapbook page titles and journaling. I stamped the title in SU Basic Gray and the sub-title in SU Regal Rose.

To complete the custom journaling page, I stamped the Hero Arts Flourish in SU Sahara Sand, computer printed my journaling and added punched hearts adorned with buttons/brads and finished the design with MME Stickers.

Adding additional punched shapes and a sticker over the photo collage ties the entire design together as well as creates a more cohesive complete looking design.

HOW TO:

 

SUPPLIES (click on photos for links):

Some of my favorite Hero Arts Die Cuts/Stamp combinations:

To view this week's From Start to Finish layout at Two Peas in a Bucket, click HERE.

To view the entire 2011 From Start to Finish series at Two Peas in a Bucket, click HERE.