12 Days of Giveaways - Day 10 for JustNick Studio

Hello crafty friends...I'm so glad you are here!  Today is Day 10 of the JustNick Studio 12 Days of Giveaways where you can get a free cut file each day for the first 12 days of December.

Here is my layout.

I love creating a basketweave with paper strips, and it's perfect as a frame for photos like in this layout -- or you can back a cut file with it too!

Head over the JustNick blog so you can see this fabulous cut file up close and grab your free cut file today before midnight CST tonight, Dec. 10th!

 Have a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Majken

 

{The Good Stuff} Published in Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine's 50th Issue!

Hello, hello!

I have barely been through the Summer 2018 issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today once, and can I just say, "It's fabulous!"  It's the 50th issue, and they've gone all-out!  I have a layout published in it as well, and I'm so excited to share it with you!

We went to the Houston Zoo this past spring break and the weather could not have been better!  My daughter isn't in many of our photos from that day - 16 year olds want to go off and see the animals with their own friends...weird!  (lol)

I love this Fancy Pants Designs collection (I wish I could have 20 of those "The Good Stuff" ephemera!), and I used a cut file from SCT Magazine (as created by Nicole Nowasad) as well.  I looooove her cut files!

Go soak up all the good stuff in this issue, friends...you don't want to miss it!

Hugs and a good weekend!
Majken

Love Today | Fancy Pants Family & Co. with The Cut Shoppe

Hello there!

Happy Friday everyone!  Do you like ice cream?  Well, it's my favorite!  And it must be chocolate of course (it wasn't hard to come up with my blog name, let's just say!).  A few weeks ago, we went to a new burger place and I tried a chocolate stout shake.  

Oh. My. YUM.  

So good, y'all!  My hubby snapped a few photos and when I saw them I knew I wanted to use my new stash of Fancy Pants Designs Family & Co with the vibrant colors!  I also used Let Them Eat Pie from The Cut Shoppe.

I traced, enlarged, and then cut the "Love" pie cut file from AC textured cardstock on my Cameo.  I backed it with Family & Co papers and set it aside.  Next, I offset the outside of the pie circle by .175 and snapped periods around the circle using a similar technique I showed last May.  I then sent this to my Cameo on a fresh piece of cardstock.  Once the holes were cut, I backstitched my circle using black floss and then put the Love pie cut file inside the stitched circle.

To complete the title, I used black foam "Today" from Amy Tan "Today" Thickers - such fun texture!  I used some cute sequins from Spiegelmom Scraps called "Believe in You". They're a perfect match with a punched heart and the colors in the collection!

For the top 3 pieces of my pie, I used 6x6 papers from Family & Co.  The one on the right with the writing had highlighted phrases in the wrong spot, so I simply cut out those two phrases and glued them over the plain phrases.  

I used 3 asterisks from the Family & Co alpha pack as well as some other goodies from Maya Road, Crate Paper, Bella Blvd, and Webster's Pages.

I cut a large heart from the black hearts paper to mat the photo in the top left.

I tucked a little journaling tag behind the bottom left photo.

And there you have my second layout with hand stitching on it - it's such a fun technique, and I hope I've inspired you to try it.

Have a super weekend (with some ice cream of course!).

Chocolate hugs,
Majken

Forever - Using Negative Die Cuts & Fancy Pants Designs Sweet Nothings

Hello lovely scrappy chocoholics!

Today I'm sharing a layout I shared the other day on Instagram.  I'd love you to follow me there if you aren't already!  I created a layout using the negative cut from this lovely Valentine/date night layout, also using Fancy Pants Designs' Sweet Nothings collection - it's so pretty!  I created a background of hearts cut file using a Scrapbook & Cards Today cut file from Feb. 2016.

Here is the full layout.  Please pardon the shadows - I popped up those hearts and you can't get away from photography shadows when you do that.  :)

 Isn't it fun?  I adore hearts...I remember filling up pages of notebook paper in junior high (and into college) with them.  I loved doodling them!

Scrappy tip:  When I cut out the original cut file, I used the cut file as a template for where to place the inside of the hearts to make sure they were centered.  You may not be able to tell in the photo above, but there's black cardstock under the Sweet Nothings hearts.  I wasn't yet sure how I was going to use it, so I went ahead and placed them with the original cut file as my guide.

I love sewing on my layouts, so when I cut the new hearts out I lightly scored them in the center and adhered them to the black hearts underneath.  Then I zig zag stitched down the center and pulled each side of the hearts up.  Here are some close ups.

 I love those puffy stickers in the collection too!

I tucked a tag behind the photo, which I printed out using my HP Sprocket pocket printer...it's so fun to use, and I didn't even need to use adhesive since each photo is backed with it already!

That's all for today!  I hope you enjoy using your negative die cuts.

Here is the cut file I used to create my background.

Enjoy your week!  

Majken

XOXOX | Create Your Own Embellishments - Fancy Pants Designs "Sweet Nothings"

Love is in the air!  Happy Valentine's day everyone.

Hubby and I recently have been going on a few fun date nights, and I thought I'd test out my new HP Sprocket pocket printer to create this heartfelt layout with the gorgeous Fancy Pants Designs "Sweet Nothings" collection.  <3 <3 <3

I had so much fun with this layout!  What better way to start a date night layout than with a hearts cut file?  I used the free hearts bonus cut file from Scrapbook & Cards Today February 2016 and merged two sets together to create the look I wanted, and then I cut my background from black textured cardstock using my Cameo.  The cool thing is I now have the negative cut to use on a second layout in the future!

I then used my Cameo to do an internal offset of the hearts, cut hearts out slightly smaller than the outlines with different patterned papers, and then adhered it all down.  And I love the textured look of stitching with cut files!

And my photo turned out just how I wanted it to!  The only thing I changed was muting the colors to near black and white so the blues in our clothes didn't clash with all the pretty reds and pinks in the papers.  I layered several different papers to create the photo mat.  I created scallops on the main pink piece and distressed the edges of another piece, then added more stitching.  I also added a little half-circle tab and a puffy sticker.

The puffy stickers in this collection are so fun!  I had to use them for my title on the bottom right corner, among other strategic spots.

When I was done, I felt it still needed a little something, so I stitched around the edges to give it a frame.

I also created a few of my own embellishment spots to help fill in some of the extra white space I had leftover.  Here's one in the top right corner I created with a puffy heart outline sticker, some paper, a piece of ephemera that I stitched, and another heart:

And here's one on the left that also has a quick journal spot.  I used two pieces of ephemera, a scalloped circle punch, stitching, a puffy sticker, and ribbon.

Finally, I created the one on the top left by cutting the bottom of a tag and layering a sticker on it.  Try to layer different sized pieces and different textures together and you'll always have a fun area of interest for your embellishment spots.

So glad you could stop by today.  Enjoy your day, and I hope you get a bit of chocolate as well!!  It's the perfect day for it.  See you soon!

Majken

Reach for a Smile - Paper Basketweave Technique for Scrap Our Stash January Book Challenge

Hi scrappy friends!  So glad you are here.  I'm popping back this month to share a new layout using a fun paper strip basketweave technique.  I actually woke up one morning with the idea in my head - but I'm not sure if I was dreaming about scrapbooking or something else!?  In any case, I came up with this layout for the Scrap Our Stash January Book Inspired Stash Challenge #34 and decided to use it.  

My inspiration from the book is the overall "sketch" from the book cover layout - you can see the curve of the snow from the book, the photo is placed where the Cat in the Hat stands, the title placement, and the journaling placement where the author is listed. Fun! Plus, this Fancy Pants Happy Place collection makes me smile. :)

I started by choosing two papers from the collection to include as my base. I used my trusty Cameo to cut both papers along the curve I created in the software.  I merged them together on a base white cardstock, put some paint spatters on the dark cardstock, and sewed along the seam.

I then focused on the basketweave mat for my photo.  I cut many 1/2" strips of multiple papers from the collection and started weaving. It's a bit unwieldy when you first start, but once you have three strips together, it stays nicely. When it got large enough to hold the photo while also leaving a nice border to show the basketweave, I glued the edges over to the back.

After that, the rest came together quickly! For the title, I was inspired by one of the phrases on the My Happy paper "Reach for a smile" - I used the Happy Place letters and found some old My Minds Eye phrase stickers to complete the first part of the title (I had to smile at my luck to find all three words I needed!). I outlined the words with a black pen to help them work with the Happy Place letters.

I put a few of my leftover strips to work as embellishment, and I created a chipboard heart using the My Happy paper and used a yellow Wink of Stella marker to highlight the word "joy".

I sprinkled some puffy stickers from the collection and cut some custom plus signs to pop up using 3D foam tape. And then did a spot of journaling between the plus signs.

I'm digging all the positive signs - goes with optimism and happiness. :)

Have you used the Happy Place collection? I hope you are inspired to grab some and make pretty papercrafts!

Have a great week!
Majken

Pick a Pumpkin

Happy day out there in scrappy land!  Please, grab some chocolate and stay for a few minutes.  Today I've dipped my toes into fall - the weather has already started to cool just a bit here in Texas.  Yay!

Today I have a 2-page layout for you.  I haven't done one of these in awhile and I felt I had some good photos to spread out for this one.  I used the third one down from Scrapbook & Cards Magazine fall sketches for this one, stretching it into two pages, and I kept it simple.

I started with kraft cardstock and a Jillibean Soup placemat cut file which I cut using my Cameo and CTMH Cashmere cardstock.  I added a border to the left and right side of each page with some sewn strips.

I sewed around some of the circles on the placemat and also layered a green striped Bella Blvd paper behind one (with a punched star over it in a yellow stripe paper).

Over the right side of the placemat, I put black corrugate paper from Fancy Pants Designs.  It adds great texture!  I also cut a green stripe tab to tuck behind the photo of my sweet son, and added a few black enamel stars from Bella Blvd.  I also created an embellishment circle with sewing and a chipboard element from Bella Blvd.  I love my little pumpkins!  :)

For my title, I cut "PICK A" from black textured cardstock, and I cut "pumpkin" in a different font using the orange stripe paper.

I added another green stripe tab with a black enamel heart.  Another stitched circle and chipboard combo with another enamel element:

Then I added a strip of printed journaling to the side of the photo area, with a punched star on each side.

I need to go back and add the date, but this was fall 2014.

Well, that's all for me today!  I supposed we are getting close to adding hot chocolate to our evenings.  For me, that's the best part of cold weather.  :)

Have a fabulous week!

Majken

June Scrapping Our Stash Blog Hop - Kemah Boardwalk

Hello everyone!

Welcome to the June Scrapping Our Stash Blog Hop.  We are hosting this hop a week earlier than usual.  You should have arrived here from Katrina's blog...loved her project!  The full blog hop list is at the bottom if you need to start over or have lost your way.

I dug deep into my stash for this layout, using Fancy Pants Down by the Shore.  

I used CTMH Sunset cardstock for my base and then trimmed Colonial White cardstock and strips from Down by the Shore to create my base.  Then I sewed circles in dark brown to create my frame.

I cut several circles of patterned paper to create a base for my matted photos.

I cut "Kemah" out using my Cameo and used alpha stickers from Authentique for "Boardwalk".

Next I included my journaling and a few embellishments including a star, a canvas brad, and a stamped sentiment.

It was fun to create a layout with all the circles!  Next up is Wendi, and I know you will adore her project, so make sure you keep hopping and leave her some blog love!

Make it a great weekend!
Majken


June Scrapping Our Stash Blog Hop

Christine Meyer http://scrappingwithchristine.blogspot.com

Katrina Hunt http://paperscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/

Majken Pullin http://chocoscrapaholic.blogspot.com/

Wendi Robinson http://scrappydayinparadise.blogspot.com/

Sandy Ross http://itsafamilyaffairwithscrappynana.blogspot.ca/

Suzanna Lee http://lifestrivialities.typepad.com/

Laura Cox http://scrapaddict4life.blogspot.com/

Lyne Schnable-Blodgett http://lynnseverydayideas.blogspot.com/

Audrey Yeager http://audreysreflection.blogspot.com/

Wendy Bergeron Coffman http://stampingrules.com

Charity Hotrum http://menemenetekeluniversity.blogspot.com/

Lee-Anne Thornton http://lee-annelovethejourney.blogspot.com

Alison Day  http://alisondaydesigns.com/

{Hello Sunshine} My Scraps & More Sketch 109 Reveal

Hi everyone!  I'm back on this fine Friday for another My Scraps & More sketch team reveal.  Today's sketch was created by Audrey Yeager, and it was a really fun one! Sunbursts are very popular right now, and this sketch is a great take on it.  When I first saw it, I envisioned cutting the sunburst out using my Cameo and filling it in with multiple papers - which is also a very fun trend.  So that's exactly what I did.

I used several collections from the My Scraps & More store...they work perfectly together.

• Fancy Pants Summer Sun
• Simple Stories Summer Vibes
• October Afternoon Summertime

After I cut the sunburst out of my white cardstock base and lined the papers behind each "ray", I sewed along the outside edges of the sunburst.

After including the photos, I created the title using some Fancy Pants letter stickers from an older collection, and I cut "sunshine" out using my Cameo.  I wanted an ombre effect for the title, so I used the Simple Stories Shine On paper...it's sooo pretty!  To help "sunshine" pop, I cut it out again using white cardstock and glued it underneath to create a thicker word.

I wanted to keep my layout simple, but decided it needed an embellishment area, so I used the cloud sticker from the Simple Stories collection and pulled some baker's twine through a button.

I sprinkled a few sequins from Pretty Pink Posh, dots from October Afternoon and Droplets from Queen & Co.  Finally, I included my journaling on the bottom right sunburst ray.

I hope this layout provide a little bit of sunshine to your weekend, and I hope you play along with the sketch!  Link up at My Scraps & More sketches in July for your chance to win a great prize.  Check out all the other designers' takes on the sketch for even more inspiration!

Have fun, and enjoy your holiday weekend!

Majken

Hey Fun | Scrapping Our Stash Blog Hop with *Giveaway*

You guys feel that?  That strange feeling floating in the air?  That's the fun feeling of the Scrapping Our Stash blog hop where you find us digging into our stashes.  We should all do this more often!  :)  

You should've arrived from Cathy's blog...did you see her sketch pen outlining technique?  Her projects are always so inspiring!  

My project today uses the Fancy Pants Happy Go Lucky collection from 2013.  I love the colors in the collection, and they go well with my sweet boy.

Paxton's school did a Kindergarten Hoedown, and he had a blast!

I splattered some Heidi Swapp Bronzer Color Shine around the base and then adhered it to the brown cardstock to sew along the edges.

I used cut files from Scrapbook & Cards Today titled "Circle Fun" and cut some out using the same color cardstock as my base.  Then I layered different papers behind the circles and sewed around the edges for some fun interest.

I used some ephemera to create the title with the "fun" circle.

I added some stickers from the collection and then journaling underneath one of the phrase stickers.

And now it's giveaway time!

I'm giving away one $15 e-gift certificate to My Scraps & More.  All you have to do is:

• Be or become a member of my blog with Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin AND
• Leave a comment on this blog post

You can share this post on Facebook or Twitter or refer a friend who joins my blog for an extra chance at the prize (please note that you have done this in a 2nd comment or have the referral tell who referred them in a comment on this post).

Easy peasy!  You have until Monday, June 29th at noon Central time to enter for your chance to win.  International entries are fine, and I use random.com to choose the winner.  I'll announce the winner here on my blog on Tuesday, June 30th.  Good luck, and thanks so much for hopping along with us!

Next up is Sandy's super-cute Project Life pages...go check out her awesome project and give her some blog love!

If you lost your way or want to start at the beginning, the full list is below.

Cathy Harper http://alteredplayground.blogspot.com/

Majken Pullin http://chocoscrapaholic.blogspot.com/   -------------------> YOU ARE HERE

Sandy Ross http://itsafamilyaffairwithscrappynana.blogspot.ca/  ------> GO HERE NEXT

Suzanna Lee http://www.lifestrivialities.typepad.com/

Lyne Schnable-Blodgett http://lynnseverydayideas.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Stella Haggerty http://livethemoment-jen.blogspot.com/

Wendy Bergeron Coffman http://stampingrules.com

Lee-Anne Thornton http://lee-annelovethejourney.blogspot.com

Smile * Click * Captured - Fancy Pants Sketch This! April

Hi everyone!  I hope you are having a great spring weekend.  It's been rainy here, which is perfect for doing some fun scrapping!  This weekend I completed a layout for the Fancy Pants Sketch This! for April.  This layout highlights our visit to Amarillo for my niece Courtney's wedding.  My daughter, niece Sophie, and mom are seriously be-you-tiful!

I love this polka dot paper from Memories Captured, so I used it as my base.  I stayed pretty true to the sketch, but I added a few extra things.  

For the title area, I used a strip of the Fancy Pants black corrugate cardstock and trimmed the strip from "Strips" with the *click* on it.  I incorporated that into my title.  I used the Black Large Alpha stickers to spell *SMILE*, and then a sticker with "captured" on it from the collection.  I created a corner embellishment area with some stitching, and I cut one of the circles and popped it up with 3D foam.

The photo area is matted with the Shining Stars and Memories papers (I stitched along the stars paper after distressing it), and includes a tag, some stickers, and a burlap bow from the Burlap & Bouquets collection.  I heart this bow! I die cut an arrow from the burlap paper to balance out the burlap from the bow and popped it up with 3D foam. 

That's it for me for today.  Stay tuned this week for another sketch reveal for My Scraps & More on Friday.  Until then, I hope you get a few final bits of Easter candy to enjoy!

Majken