Easter Cards: Penelope Workshop Your Way Part I

Spring Critters is a great stamp set to use if you want to make special Easter cards for the kids in your life.  The Thin Cuts that match the stamp set makes it easy to whip up these sweet cards your way.

The first step is to cut out the paper using the free PDF file for the Workshop Your Way using Penelope paper and accessories.  I then painted the background pieces using our watercolors.

I used a waterbrush to paint the critters. You can also use different size paintbrushes.

I stamped with black pigment ink from the basic kit. I then sprinkled with clear emboss powder and heat set it with a craft heater so it would be easy to add color to the little animals. I chose to use only the fox and the frog. The Workshop Your Way kit gives directions to use all four animals. It is your choice. The kit is very easy to alter to your needs.

Spring Critters Thin Cuts  can be used to cut your stamped images quickly using any die cut machine. I used a cuttlebug this time with a C plate on top of the cuts and a metal shim under the paper to protect the B plate from cuts. I use washi tape to hold the dies in place over the images. You can also cut your white daisy cardstock before stamping if you prefer.

Now it is time to assemble the cards since the artwork is ready to go.

Easy dot adhesive and foam tape can be used to put the cards together. I also used some double sided tape that was readily available in Australia. If you are making a lot of cards at a time you can assembly line the taping of the 3D foam tape because there is a layer of film covering the adhesive.

Penelope Card #1

Penelope Workshop Your Way Kit also comes with accents and the washi tape you need to complete the projects. I chose not to use the accents on the cards since I was sending them Internationally. The free directions also found on the OBA call for use of mini staples added to the cards but my stampler is back in America so these were not added. One thing about this kit is you can make it your way!

Make your cards today so they will be ready for your loved ones by Easter Holiday.  Meanwhile stay tune to this blog and I will post the Penelope layouts I made from this sweet kit with grand kid pics!

Always, Alayne

Picture My Life captures the Adventure easily!

I love how easy it is to use Picture My Life to capture the everyday moments using pocket pages. PML cards come ready to slide in, but you can enhance them with treasures you make or find along the way. Here I used the die cuts I purchased in Australia. I have been making greeting cards for my grandkids with thee die cuts, but I found they highlighted the animal pictures I am taking well.

Check out my OBA to see what Picture My Life cards would suit your next project.

Always, Alayne

Charlotte Workshop "My" Way!

The free PDF for Charlotte Workshop Your Way is available on my OBA.

I used it with a Charlotte paper pack and complement pack yesterday because I did't have the whole kit.  I did have to change the background of the layout that used Slate as a background because I didn't have any. I used black paper instead and used a couple of small pieces of black ribbon that was leftover from the Charlotte Workshop Your Way that I made in November.  I am really pleased with the outcome.

I took pictures as I went along, and tomorrow I will add the completed layouts in the album, so you can see how I used flip flaps to include more photos.

Enjoy the changes I made and share with me the changes you make as you

 Make It Your Way! 

Always, Alayne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Homesick cure =scrap your loved ones!

Today I had the opportunity to scrap with 4 other ladies in Brisbane.  It felt a little bit like Versailles, Ky. I really enjoyed sitting around a table and scrapping some of my sweet Kentucky family.  Last month I made the La Vie En Rose Workshop on the go.

 

 

 Today I used the same paper and last months Stamp of the Month to make and additional two page layout to go with the black and white layouts previously made.

I took pictures from the same day but this time used color photos.

When I made the WOTG I chose not to use the rose paper as recommended, but used the reverse side of the paper. Today I let the rose paper show a bit and made roses for accents.  I was surprised how the roses went with the everyday pictures, including pictures of two of my grandsons.

 

 

This paper pack is becoming one of my favorites. It is delightful how the black and white paper pack can go with many photos with careful use of accent colors. Today Pomegranate was my choice while I used smoothie for the WOTG accent color.

Buy this workshop today La Vie En Rose

and capture some of your favorite photo memories on this great workshop!

Always, Alayne

Happy Valentines Day ....embossing with a toaster?

American Heat Gun didn't like Australian Electricity!

The first time I crafted in Oz I chose a simple card set that the local Ashgrove scrapbooking group were using at a workshop. I was pleased that I brought my heatgun as one of my packed tools. After I got my ink on the kraft paper pennant pieces I plugged my heater in with an adapter....and lo and behold only a little sound came out of the gun and very little air from the blower. There was not enough power to operate the gun.  What now?????
I remembered the past, before I owned a heat gun how I use to use a toaster to heat the embossing powder. Why not?  It is worth a try. So I held the papers above the toaster an moved them constantly so there wouldn't be a chance for the paper to catch fire.  It worked!  Not easy, but doable.
When I went to the Ashgrove stamp group the leader (Melissa) offered me the use of a heat gun that had Austtralian plugs.  I gladly accepted and my next project embossed much easier.
I think I take my well stocked craftroom for granted!  I am very thankful for Melissa, Donna and Shirley for being very generous and sharing their craft toys and tool with me while I am down under.
Always, Alayne

Cut Above...Blossom Card Kit

Gather all supplies before you begin....

You can stamp image, sprinkle with embossing powder (I used clear detail powder on top of Pomegranate pigment ink)

Stamped images can be embossed much later, just be careful that powder doesn't rub off.

If you use a toaster do not let paper burn, keep in motion.

Do all stamping before assembling the cards, including a signature tag on the back of the cards.

Attach stamped images and diecuts. Use foam tape for dimension if you choose. Add sparkles or other embellishments.

Decorate your envelopes also!

Cut Above kits come with different themes.  My grandkids like the bowtied giraffe!  The stamped image can be different for one or more cards to make this kit very adaptable.

Time Flies when you are half way around the world....and cross the International Date Line!

Last week I was speaking with my eldest grandson, NOAH, on Face time and my husband overheard me say I had already lived Friday and it was a great day so his Friday should be fantastic!
Well, I hope it was very special. My Saturday was better, because I got to speak with him and some of his siblings....
But where does the time fly to?
In the past month I have had a brother die and a friend die. It makes me pause, pray and refocus.
God is in charge of everything, but I try so hard to take charge of my schedule. May I ask His advice daily about what is a good use of my time. I thought I would be on the internet more when I moved to Oz, but so far that has not been the case. Life has been happening to us, around us and through us at a rapid pace. Therefore the internet has been used mostly for direct communication with my sweet Ky and MI families.
Now that we are more settled and used to the ways of life here I hope to share some of my experiences, friends, creations and love with you.
Have a wonderful day!

Always, Alayne