2 Page True Stories Layout

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of Taylor Stamped. I do receive financial compensation and material product from  A Walk Down Memory Lane to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own. Some links are affiliate links.
I don't usually horde paper. If I love it, I use it and I usually use it right after buying it. But True Stories from American Crafts was a different story. This is such a fun collection, and I wanted to use it for our pictures from Northern Ireland, so I held on to it for quite a while until I was ready to scrap those photos. Today I have a Bushmills 2 page True Stories layout to share.

Our trip to Old Bushmills Distillery was the beginning of one of my very favorite days of our trip to Ireland. If you're ever in Northern Ireland, I highly suggest you go, even if you're not much of a whiskey drinker. Our tour guide, Seamus, was so knowledgeable and so much fun, and the history of this distillery and the science behind making whiskey is super interesting.

I plan on using True Stories to scrap our entire day, but since this is the first layout I've made with it, I had a heck of a time deciding what papers to use. There are just too many good ones.

Plus, I wanted to use all the embellishments. I had to rein myself in so as not to make the layout too busy.

There are some pretty pops of silver in this collection, so I used my Silhouette Cameo and some Bazzill Silver Foil cardstock to mirror the silver of the collection in the title. 

There is so much to journal about on these layouts, so I created my own large journaling card with some strips of paper and stickers from the collection. 

 Scrapping these photos and finally being able to uses this True Stories paper that has been in my stash makes me so happy! Do you usually hold on to paper you love, or use it right away?

Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer Krispie Treats

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of Taylor Stamped. I do receive financial compensation and material product from American Crafts to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own. Some links are affiliate links.

Part of our holiday fun every year is watching Christmas movies on TV. I love making special treats for our little viewing parties. For Rudolph I made some Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Krispie Treats. While I'm not a food blogger, I do love all kinds of crafting, and sometimes that crafting occurs with food...I even used paper straws from my paper crafting stash for this project!

I only wanted a small batch (1 serving per person, no leftovers!) so I made a small batch of Krispie treats (the batch makes 4 total).
8 x 8 Pan of Krispie Treats
1 Tbs Butter
2 1/2 Cups Mini Marshmallows
3 Cups Rice Krispies Cereal

Melt the butter and marshmallows in pan over medium heat. Add rice krispies and mix until combined. Press into a greased 8 x 8 pan.

 While the bars are still warm, pop them out of the pan and cut them. I cut mine in half (shown above) and then in half again (shown below). After cutting them into 4 pieces, I shaped them a bit more to make them a little more rounded at the bottom and pressed on the top to make "ears". Then I inserted a paper straw.

To decorate these, all I used was some chocolate. Melt about 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1tsp Crisco. Pipe the chocolate on to create the antlers and eyes. Use some as well to stick a red M & M on for Rudolph's nose.

My kids loved these, and I hope you do too! I'd love to hear about your favorite Christmas movies and what you do when you watch them. 

I'm Sorry Giveaway

I'm not sure what my problem is lately, I just have not been consistent about posting to my blog here. So, as an apology, how about a giveaway?
American Crafts is one of the featured manufacturers at A Walk Down Memory Lane this month. Leave a comment here by Saturday, September 24, and you'll be entered to win an AC Blue Skies Page Kit (pictured above). The kit includes 8 - 12 x 12 papers, Thickers, a sheet of Remarks Stickers, 3 Flair bages, 3 ribbons (4 ft of each), 2 - 12 x 12 card stock sheets, 6 - 4.5 x 6.5 photo mounts.


Also, I couldn't leave you today without a fun project. It's a great gift for a crafty friend. SRM's Tubes are my new favorite thing to create gifts out of. They come in regular, mini (what I used here) and wand. So fun! The stamps used to create the tag are from Paper Smooches Friendly Flowers set. I created the image on the tag with 3 colors of American Craft Zing Embossing Powder (which also happens to be 25% off this month at AWDML since it's made by American Crafts). You can watch a video I created about embossing with multiple colors of embossing powder over on AWDML's blog by clicking here.

A big thanks for stopping by!

Be Silly

Whew, I'm just getting this submission to My Mind's Eye's Sketch Challenge #21 in just in time. I was able to finish and grab a few photos just before I completely lost the light (thanks daylight savings time!). This month's challenge theme is "Celebrate Today". Here's the sketch:
I wanted to try shrinking the sketch down and using it in a small corner of the page with a lot of white space. This is what I came up with:


Today I'm celebrating the silliness that is my children! I used MME Stella & Rose papers and accessories (I am head over heals in love with this line).

Let it Snow!

Well, there's snow on the ground now, and instead of grumbling about the cold, I'm going to remember that snow means I get the chance to take and scrap photos like these:
Keep warm, and keep your camera handy!

Snow Fun Supply List
Paper: Pebbles New Arrival (Peek-a-boo, Brand New)
Accessories: American Crafts Thickers (Giggles)
Tools: Silhouette SD, We Are R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, Bazzill In Stitch’z template, EK Success Edger Punch Bracket

Just a Peak

I've been so busy...but unfortunately I can't show you what I've been working on until next month. I've been having a blast playing around with some of the new product released at CHA. A Walk Down Memory Lane is showing off all the goodies they ordered for the store at the end of August, and after that party at the store, I'll show you here in blog land some of the yummy creations made for that party. Here's a sneak:and a Peak:of a few things I've been working on.

AWDML has ordered so much new stuff that Lisa has discounted the whole store 15% for the month of August to make room for all the new goodies coming in. Click here to head on over to the store to take advantage of the savings. Here's a card I made using some stuff I picked up on sale (you know, just doing my part to help make room for the new stuff).The circle background is adhesive backed fabric from American Craft. The "BABY" onesies were cut with my Silhouette. The scalloped trim was done with my Fiskars Apron Lace Punch, and the ric rac is truly vintage (it came from a friend of a friend's old sewing stash). Happy crafting!

Monday Sunshine

I thought I bring you a little sunshine to brighten your Monday.


I love this line from Bo Bunny. It's called Sun Kissed. At first I didn't really think I needed a lot of this paper, so I just bought a few pieces...the first time. It so bright, bold, and fun that I ended up heading back to my LSS (A Walk Down Memory Lane) almost immediately for more. The buttons and brads on this card are also from the Sun Kissed Collection. I cut the sun and the orange layer using my Silhouette. To help the sun stand out, I stitched an orange border around it. The greeting is from a new stamp company called Lawn Fawn and the set is called Partly Cloudy. The greeting was stamped with Versamark and embossed with American Craft's Embossing Powder (color Cricket).
Wishing you a sunny week!

So Much Inspiration, So Little Time

I wish I had unlimited time to spend in my craft room when inspiration like this comes across my path:
I saw the above sketch on Crate Paper's Blog, and I had a bout 20 ideas run through my brain. Since I don't have unlimited time I'll have to settle for 2 projects based on the sketch... for now at least. The sketch is meant to be a card sketch, but I just had to make a layout from it.
Jessica is one of the best people I know, and this is one of my favorite photos of us together. We live about 8 hrs apart, but scrapping photos like this reminds me that she's always close, and isn't that why we scrap? Enough of the sappy stuff and on to the scrappy stuff! The paper and chipboard accessories here are all Crate Paper Season. This is the first time I've used Crate Paper's Chipboard pieces, and let me tell you, they don't skimp on the adhesive. They stuck on nice and tight without me having to add extra adhesive. I also got to use my American Craft Glitter Thickers: Since most of my layouts are about my boys, I don't get the chance to use these often enough!

The second brainstorm I had for this sketch, was to turn it into a notepad. I LOVE how this turned out.
To give you an idea of the size of this, the notepad measures about 5" x 8". To keep the flaps closed I used these ultra thin magnets that Basic Gray makes. I put one in the center of this chipboard flower:and I hid the other one underneath this chipboard flower:The magnets are strong enough to work through a few layers of paper. Again, all of the paper and chipboard accents here are from Crate Paper's Season Collection.
If the above sketch inspires you too, and you want to play along with Crate Paper, you can find more info here on their blog. Hoping you're all feeling a bit inspired!

My Mind's Eye Challenge #10

I apologize for taking so long between posts. Life, you know? I've been paper crafting like crazy, although I haven't been able to post most of those creations, but today I have a page I did with My Mind's Eye's most recent sketch challenge. I play along with a few on-line challenges, but I've got to say the sketches that the Design Team over at MME comes up with are my favorite! The twist to this challenge is that you needed to use the song Dream Big Ryan Shupe & The RubberBand some way in the page. Here's the sketch:
Here's my layout:I've always loved these photos of Elias sleeping, and thought this was the perfect layout/theme challenge for them. The paper is all by My Mind's Eye Penny Lane Free Bird, as is the journaling tag. The brads are from MME's Lush line. The punched borders were done with 2 of my favorite Fiskars Border Punches; Apron Lace and Upper Crest. The title was done with American Craft Thickers.
I loved the colors of this page and the papers from Free Bird so much that I just had to make a companion page:
The "Godparents" tag was created on my Silhouette.
If you want to play along with the challenge too, you can find all of the details here.
Thanks for stopping by, I promise to be back with more paper fun soon!

Moxie Fab, Fab Friends, and Some Upcoming Fun

You know I love playing along with the challenges and Tuesday Triggers over at Moxie Fab World, well click here to check out this week's Tuesday Trigger creator at the Moxie Fab World. You might just see a project by someone you know (me!!!).

I just got done creating a layout that will be part of a gift scrapbook. The scrapbook chronicles this past year of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), and will be given as a thank you gift to this year's coordinator. This page is of our steering team:
I used some of my favorite papers from Cosmo Cricket Earth Love. These papers are soft, pretty, and subtly girlie. I love them! I added some stitching around the edges using a Bazzill in stitch template. I used a scallop punch and a small hole punch to make the flowers. The letters are Thickers from American Crafts.
One more fun, and hidden, detail:
That little tag behind the photo pulls out for journaling. We're going to write a very heartfelt, very sappy thank you note to our coordinator on it and slip it back behind the photo.
I've made a companion page to this layout, but you'll have to wait until May 1 to see it. In case you didn't know May 1 is national scrapbooking day. There are lots of fun activities going on all over the paper crafting world. I'll be hosting a challenge over at Scraptiv!ty that uses that companion page. If you're in the northwest Iowa region that day you'll want to swing by A Walk Down Memory Lane where they have classes, crops, and a make and take (made by yours truly). Remember, friends don't let friends craft alone! I'd love to have you join me on-line or in person for some fun May 1.

Another Post !?!

I know, 2 totally separate posts in 1 day! Can you believe it? Here's the deal, I just received the new American Crafts new Heat Wave Line (which I won when they were doing a CHA sneek peek give-away). This line is so full of summery goodness. I think I caught my husband rolling his eyes at how excited I was opening my AC box full of papers, flowers, rub-ons, Thickers, chipboard pieces, and more! I can just imagine using this line for sweet summer photos like this one: But for now that will have to wait. I stepped out of my comfort zone a little (ok, a lot) to make this card for my sister's 30th birthday later this month. I thought I would be kind and not put a big 30 on the front.
Just in case you don't know, every Friday AC releases a new challenge you can play along with here on their blog. Entries are due by the Thursday after the contest is announced. Wouldn't you know, this week's challenge just happens to be a card challenge!
Supplies:
American Craft Heat Wave:

Cherry Cowabunga Papers

Beach House Glittered Paper Flowers

Swell Remarks Stickers

Surfs Up Flair

Wake Mini Marks (rub-ons)

Niki Riki Thickers

Fun Weekend

I had a busy, but very fun weekend. I had a blast teaching a Christmas card class at A Walk Down Memory Lane on Saturday. I had so much fun meeting 5 new stampers. From there my husband and I dropped our boys off at my in-laws to spend the night, so we could go out with some friends to celebrate my husband's 30th Birthday (Happy Birthday, Dave!). And today, I even managed to fit in some paper crafting time. Definitely a fun weekend!
Today's card is one from my Christmas card class yesterday. I love it because it's simple, yet a little unexpected, and easy to replicate for multiple Christmas cards.

The green center is popped up on a foam adhesive dot to add dimension, and then layered onto the red stamped image. The entire stamped image is actually stamped on the inside of the card and is visible through a hole punched in the outer layer of the card.
The red border is wrapped around the edge like a book binding and therefore is visible on the back side too.

I hope you all had a fun weekend too!

Supplies:
Stamps: CL237 - Hero Arts
Ink: Real Red and Old Olive - Stampin' Up!
Paper: American Crafts
Accessories: 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" circle punch - Stampin' Up!
Apron Lace Punch - Fiskars
Dew Drop - Robins Nest

So many things for 1 little post

I think I'll start with my contest submission. American Crafts' Blog is having a food inspired layout/card contest. I decided to play along this week and also showcase a little fun I get to have. Occasionally, I get to do a little scrapbooking for Make-A-Wish. Just in case you're not familiar with Make-A-Wish, here's a 1 sentence synopsis of what they do: Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted the wishes of more than 171,000 children - one wish every 40 minutes. So, my page for today combines the American Crafts' contest with a Make-a-wish page:
Supplies(all are American Crafts unless otherwise stated):
Paper: Spring/Summer - Preserves
Spring/Summer - Scones
Everyday - Word (backside)
Flair: Everyday - Friends
Thicker Stickers: Foam Root Beer Float Pink
Glitter LAX Powder
Rhinestones - Basics clear Rhinestones by Kaiser Craft

But this post isn't done yet... Look what I got in my mailbox today:
This is a scissors with my Fiskateer number (#6363) engraved on the blade. All this just because a few months back I joined the Fisk-a-teer community. Are you a Fisk-a-teer? I love, love, love being part of this community! The Fisk-a-teer community is a group of wonderful craft enthusiest who especially love Fiskars products. And really, who doesn't have at least one Fiskars tool in their craft arsenal? At the Fisk-a-teers community, they hold crops, have contests, have a fantastic blog and message board area, and a fun gallery too. If you want to become a Fisk-a-teer too, you can send an e-mail to Rebecca at rpeck@Fiskars.com and tell her you'd like to be a Fisk-a-teer, and that Samantha #6363 sent you. They like to "meet" all of the new fisk-a-teers personally and let you know what the site is all about. This is a great community for all crafters; paper, yarn, and fabric alike.
Well, if you got though that very long post, you deserve a hand! Thanks for sticking with me today.

A Final Noel

Well, here it is on the last day, my 5th and final entry for Moxie Fab World's "Stretch Your Style" challenge. Today's style is Fun and Cute. I've been planning this as my last project all week, so it's great to finally have it done.

This was a lot of fun, and not so hard to do. I found my local scrapbook store owner unpacking the great new Mistletoe Line from Making Memories on Friday. I snatched up the paper immediately for use on this project. All of the letters and images (star, Holy Family, Christmas ornament, etc.) were cut on Quickutz vinyl using my Silhouette. In the middle of the star is an American Craft's rhinestone brad. You can't see it in the picture but the Christmas ornament has some sparkly detailing. I used Stickles for that. Finally green ribbon is from American Crafts and my red ribbon is from Stampin' Up! Thanks for having a little early Christmas fun with me this week!
***I forgot to mention that these are on wooden blocks. I know you can pick these up at a lot of scrapbook and craft stores. I cheated (or maybe I was recycling). I had some blocks that spelled "BELIEVE" that I no longer liked. I papered over the BELIEVE to change the blocks into something I wanted to use again. The best part was that they were already painted a nice deep red!

More Opposites

I again have 2 opposite projects. I've gotten in some new stamps and accessories recently, so I've been having a lot of fun just playing around. One is a card made with all stamps. No patterned papers here. The other is made with all patterned papers.
First the all stamped card:

Everything on this card is Stampin' Up! from the paper to the pearls, with only 1 exception: the tulle. The tulle that is layered over the "merci merci merci" came from an old dress. Instead of throwing it away, I stashed it away for use on cards. The stamps are from the set Chic Boutique. I just love this little bird cage. I expect you will probably see me use it again soon. The colors here are Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, and Chocolate Chip. Additional accessories include the corner rounder punch, the scallop edge punch, half pearls, and some SU! markers.

Now here's a card with no stamping at all:


This is not only a card, but a gift too. I attached a small magnet to the little button down in the right had corner (technically called "flair" from American Crafts) and attached it to the card with temporary adhesive. The magnet is actually attached to the inside of the card, then I punched a hole through the top layer of the card. This way the magnet is visible when the card is opened or closed. The paper is all from American Crafts Backyard paper line. "Count Your Blessings" was cut using my Silhouette SD. The butterfly was cut using the Stampin' Up! Beautiful Butterflies Die made by Sizzix. The butterfly's body was made using Candy Dots from Pebbles Inc. Finally, I finished the card off with a bit of hand stitching around the magnet and the sentiment.
Thanks for taking a peak at my opposite creations!