CREATE: Blog

How It’s Made: Recycled Frame Chalkboard

Katelyn — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:00:22 +0000

Yes I know my last project was a frame project as well, but I just had to share this chalkboard with you. I couldn’t wait any longer! Plus I think the thrifting gods are smiling upon my head this Fall as I keep finding the most gorgeous and perfect frames! Thank you, thrift gods.

My project today is one I have wanted to make for quite some time. I needed a new memo board for my kitchen and I had been dying to play with the PLAID chalkboard paint I have been eyeballing at JoAnn Crafts.

Join me for the details on how to make this awesome chalkboard after the jump.

CARDS Challenge Gallery and New Challenge!

Paige — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:19:24 +0000

Happy Thursday everyone! It’s time for your weekly dose of cards inspiration. The challenge this week was to make a card with a one-word sentiment. I’ve got 20 fantastic cards made by you awesome readers to share!

Hello! by Michelle Mathey

Love by Trinh Arrieta

Adore by Yvonne Yam

Beauty by Savannah O’Gwynn

Boo! by Jenny Cierley

Celebrate by Mariana Buces

Congratulations by Jinny Newlin

Congratulations by Lenet Mos

Fly by Cheryl Nelson

Friendship by Jamie Cripps

Happiness by Sharmandeswari Nidyanandan

Hello by Laurel Beard

Hello! by Cristina Kowalczyk

Hey by Anthonette Chavez

Hooray by Giovana Smith

Love by Lorena Cantó

Merci by Rebecca Keppel

Mwah! by Regan D’Agostino

Smile by Kristen Swain

Tweet by Ivy Wong

These are all great cards to give “just because.” With so much technology like the internet, email, texts, chatting, let’s not forget how fun it is to receive a handmade card in the mail

The challenge for this week: CARDS WITH 100% STAMPING. I want every element on your card (besides the base) to be stamped. There are so many fun stamping techniques out there, I can’t wait to see how you interpret this challenge! Please email me a picture of your 100% stamped card and a link to your blog to me at paiget@northridgepublishing.com by next Thursday morning September 9th. See you back here then!

WOW No. 58: Designing Off the Edge

Jen Gallacher — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:10:08 +0000

I’m a pretty straightforward, linear, clean scrapbooker . . . meaning I like things perfectly placed. But recently I’m really drawn to the layouts in which elements are more whimsically placed. A good layout is designed with intention. And whether you put your elements all in a row or mix it up, if you start with a good plan it looks great either way.

So I’m challenging myself a bit today. For today’s “Work It Out Wednesday” we’re going to take our design off the edge of our paper.

Here’s a look at the layout we’re creating today so you can see what I mean:

As you can see, one the photos is cut off on the side of the page. This is what I mean by “Designing Off the Edge.” Continue to reading to see how you can use this same idea on your layouts!

For today’s layout, I will be using digital elements. You are welcome to use traditional items to complete your layout. To complete today’s layout you will need any items you’d like to complete your page, plus a paper timmer or pair of scissors if you are creating a traditional layout.

Step 1: Create your layout. I started with a blank 12 X 12 canvas in my Photoshop program.

Step 2: Open up your elements (if you’re using digital), or start adding paper (if you’re doing a traditional layout). Try layering some items off the edge like the photo frames in this layout.

Step 3: Once you decide what you want overlapped off the edge, clip off the excess (use scissors or a paper trimmer for a traditional layout).

Once again here is the layout:

Supplies: Program–Adobe Photoshop CS4; Bookpaper, staple, orange label by Michelle Underwood from the Fancy Free kit for twopeasinabucket.com; Orange, green papers by Crystal Wilkerson from the Me & My Baby Brother Paper Pack kit for jessicasprague.com; boat label by Crystal Wilkerson from the Me & My Baby Brother Elements Pack kit for jessicasprague.com; Taped frames by Mary Ann Wise from the Taped Frames kit for designhousedigital.com; Stitching by Carina Gardner from the Element-ary Stitches kit for twopeasinabucket.com; Happy Go Lucky title by Betsy Tuma from the Happy Go Lucky Word Art kit for twopeasinabucket.com; Paint splatters by Michelle Underwood from the Fall 4 Me kit for twopeasinabucket.com; Font: Batik Regular)

Did you try “Designing Off the Edge”? Isn’t it fun? We’d love to see the results! Simply link us to your completed project in the comments section below.

We Love: Doodlebug

Ana Cabrera — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:47:01 +0000

When ever I see Doodlebug goodies my mood is instantly elevated. I just can’t help but smile. Their current release is no exception. The new lines, Welcome Home and Bon Appetit, both feature comfy and cozy motifs – all done in the signature Doodlebug style.

Not surprisingly, my favorite embellishment is the new mini jewels collection.

Visit the Doodlebug site for a closer look at all the new lines, including their fun Halloween and Christmas lines. Doodlebug can also be found on Facebook! Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a Doodlebug prize package. Winner will be announced Friday.

Free Digital Issue: Simply Handmade WINNER!

Katelyn — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:12:48 +0000

We have a winner for Thursday’s Free Digital Issue giveaway!

The random number generator has spoken:

Congratulations Linda!

Please send your full name and a current email address to kryskamp@gmail.com to claim your prize.

Happy Monday!

Scrapbook Trends Challenge Gallery: Work on the Diagonal

Jen Gallacher — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:10:36 +0000

I’d like to thank everyone for playing along in our “Work On the Diagonal Challenge”. It’s so much fun to see how you can design in exciting new ways!

I have a few projects that I would like to share with you today. The first is a digital layout by Christine Hertel. I love how her title lays on the diagonal. It also demonstrates how you can direct the eye to move across a layout in a certain way. Her son is about to drop in with his skateboard and her title leads your eye to the point at which he is preparing to do so.

You can find more of Christine’s dynamic designs in her online gallery here or visit her blog http://workforscraps.blogspot.com.

For more beautiful ideas, be sure to browse the following pages!

You can also use a diagonal line for making cards, like the beautiful set here by Lori Mar. Notice how several of her digital doodles lay on a diagonal line. This draws the eye up or down a card and makes the card extra dynamic.

To find more of Lori’s work, check out her gallery here or visit her blog: http://lorismar.blogspot.com/.

Looking for a quick way to add a diagonal line to your project? Then try a product with a curved line, like the beautiful envelope, Sarah Klemish used on this layout:

You can find more of Sarah’s work here!

And finally, here are two lovely layouts that know how to work the diagonal. The first is by Trinh Arrieta:

And the second is by Kelly Massman:

Next time you’re designing move things around, change their direction, tilt things slightly. You may like what you see!

Giveaway Friday – Sizzix

Ana Cabrera — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:59:27 +0000

I am always so excited to see what the folks at Sizzix and Ellison are up to, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on Tim Holtz’s new machine ‘Vagabond’. Resembling a well-traveled suitcase on the outside, the Vagabond Machine easily opens up to reveal a portable yet powerful machine that takes you to imaginative new places. Upon closer examination, the Vagabond impresses for its uncanny ability to effortlessly cut and emboss many different materials and thicknesses. Can you think of anything better to bring on your creative journey?

Of course, there are also dozens of new die and embossing designs, too. Stop by the Sizzix blog for projects and all the latest news and release info. Leave a comment below and you will be entered to win a Texture Boutique prize package, complete with everything you need to make stunning embossed cards and accents.

Winner’s Circle

The winners of the Everyday Stories album by Xyron are

Fleur Smith
August 23, 2010 at 12:25 AM
I would love to win one of these – they look so cool!

Diane
August 25, 2010 at 4:20 PM
This would be awesome to win!

Steph H.
August 20, 2010 at 9:22 PM
Love those! I bought a few a couple years back that were similar, but they were not leather and they did not offer the 8×12 size, a size I would love to try out. Pick me!

Phyllis M.
August 20, 2010 at 3:00 PM
Wonderful giveaway and fantastic prize. Would love to win. Thanks for the chance too.
yessie
August 25, 2010 at 5:47 AM
I have not yet been lucky enough to win anything from here, but I’m hoping it’s my lucky week!

Send your full name and address to acabrera@northridgepublishing.com to claim your prize.

Cards Challenge Gallery and New Challenge!

Paige — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:53:18 +0000

Hope everyone is having a wonderful end of summer! I know some kids are already back in school and others are starting real soon!
The challenge for this week was to create a star-shaped card base and I’ve got 10 cute’n'creative cards made by you to share!

Birthday Wishes by Savannah O’Gwynn

For All You’ve Done by Kristen Swain

Peace & Joy! by Andrea Amu

Sweet Baby Boy by Regan D’Agostino

Reach for the Stars by Laurel Seabrook

Wish Upon a Star by Dana Gustafson

Reach High by Sandee Allen

Vintage Star by Debbie Marcinkiewicz

Sweet Birthday Wishes by Trinh Arrieta

Reach for the Stars! by Jinny Newlin

These are such fun and happy cards! Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us all!

For this week’s challenge – how ’bout cards with one word sentiments? Like “love”, “hugs”, “hey!”, etc. Please email me a picture of your one word sentiment card and a link to your blog to paiget@northridgepublishing.com by next Thursday morning, September 2nd (it’s September already!?) and another card challenge gallery will be up then. Have a great (almost!) weekend!

Free digital issue: Simply Handmade

Tammy Morrill — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:10:01 +0000

Hello, ladies! (Said in the voice of Old Spice Man, which I still can’t get out of my head.) We have an awesome giveaway today — free online access to the August-September issue of Simply Handmade. Just leave a comment to enter!

Besides the cute cover project, it’s got lots more great ideas inside, like pretty altered printer’s trays and a tutorial for this clay rose magnet.

Winner will be announced Monday.

Cricut Creations

Alisha Gordon — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:37:50 +0000

Like peanut butter and jelly or cheese and crackers, we are combining Northridge Publishing and Cricut by Provo Craft to create a new idea book for your creative inspiration. We need all of YOU and your amazing creations that showcase projects using the Cricut. Check out this list for what sections we are looking for and where to submit:

Baby – share your adorable layouts all about baby, along with card ideas for baby showers, announcements, and to welcome baby
Cards & Tags
Disney
Embossing
Gifts
Home Décor
Just for Kids – from layouts to crafts, Cricut makes it easy to create for and with kids!
Layouts
Party Invitations
Quick & Easy – showcase both layouts and cards that were created easily with the Cricut
Vinyl Lettering
Wedding – share your ideas for announcements, shower invitations, layouts, and wedding décor
Your Party: Start to Finish – Invitations, decorations, favors, gift wrap, and thank yous

***PLEASE SEND A SEPARATE EMAIL FOR EACH SUBMISSION YOU WOULD LIKE CONSIDERED FOR PUBLICATION.***

Deadline: 11:59pm (Mountain Time) on Sunday September 5th, 2010.

Please send submissions to submit@northridgepublishing.com.

I can’t wait to see all your wonderful submissions! Please email me at alishag@northridgepublishing.com if you have any questions.