Happy Birthday | Paper House Productions Design Team

Hiya crafty friends!  Today I'm taking a short break from love-themed layouts to share a rainbow themed layout that I created for Paper House Productions.  Creating this one was so much fun!

I first pulled a rainbow of papers from the Color Washed paper pad and cut balloons using the balloon die from My Favorite Things Blueprint 26 set.  Just laying those balloons out made me happy!

Next, I glued some older Close To My Heart fibers as the balloon strings.  Once that was dry, I included the "HAPPY" (JustNick Outline Alpha) and the birthday over the strings.

After putting my photo on the layout, I sprinkled a few enamel dots, keeping it simple. 

Thanks for stopping by today...make it a fun one!

Majken

XOXO Love | JustNick Design Team

Hi everyone!  Welcome to the month of love.  I have several love-themed layouts I'm going to share with you, and my first one is not your typical pink or red love layout.  :)  Check it out below, then hop over to the JustNick blog to see which cut files you can go grab, a fun technique, as well as close ups for detail.

Wasn't my Little Man adorable with his copper hair?  I paired these two new fun cut files with the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Boys Rule collection.  The colors are amazing, and fabulous boy layouts and more can be created with it.

Have a great week!

Majken


 

{All of Me Loves All of You} Using JustNick Cut Files for Stitching - Tutorial

Hi crafty peeps!  If you have a large project you want to hand stitch, but want to skip the tedious process of poking the holes, then I have just the tutorial for you.  Take a look:

I used the gorgeous Cocoa Vanilla Studio Wild at Heart collection along with the All of Me Loves All of You JustNick Studio cut file.

To see how to create a hand-stitched project from a cut file (along with a couple of close-ups), head over to my post on the JustNick Studio blog today! 

It's hard to believe those babies are now 16 and almost 10!  Thank you so much for stopping by.  Have a super week!

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

Oh Joy | Creative Scrappers January Sketch

Hello out there happy scrappers!  Welcome to 2017.  I was up Monday on the Creative Scrappers blog.  Isn't the sketch awesome?!  I opted to flip it 180 degrees.  Also, the Pinkfresh Studio Oh Joy collection is just gorgeous.  I mostly used the 6x6 paper pad and some embellishments from Oh Joy as well as Fancy Pants Merry & Bright puffy dots stickers...they matched well!  Here's my layout.

I used the cut file created for the sketch on a sheet of white textured cardstock, cut papers to fit into the triangles, then sandwiched them on top of a full sheet of white textured cardstock.  I sewed along the cut file for some additional texure.  Cut files and sewing are a favorite combo of mine!

These photos of the kids from 2010 are perfect with these gorgeous papers!  I loved tucking in the ephemera and puffy stickers.  I created my own sewn tag using the acrylic "on the nice list" piece to put in the bottom right.

For the title, I purchased the font "Hello Sunshine" and cut out "Oh Joy" because I was so inspired by the collection's logo.  I used an enamel star as the dot for the "j".

I hope this page has inspired you to get some Christmas photos scrapped!  If you use the sketch, please use the hashtag #creatingwithsketches and post to the Creative Scrappers blog using the InLinkz widget.  And don't forget to follow @creativescrappers on Instagram!

Have a wonderful January!

Majken

{This Boy} Creative Scrappers December Reveal Blog Hop with Spiegelmom Scraps!

Hi Everyone!

Creative Scrappers is hosting a BLOG HOP today in conjunction with our reveal for sketch 301 and our sponsor Spiegelmom Scraps. I hope you can take a few minutes from your busy day and join us!  Here is sketch 301 - it's fabulous!

And here is my take on the sketch showcasing some fun embellishments from December sponsor, Spiegelmom Scraps.  I used:

• Lace Paper Doilies (I trimmed it for my boy page!)
• Chunky Cork Hearts
• Believe In You Sequins

As soon as I saw the sequins, I knew they matched Crate Paper's Cool Kid collection.  And since I hadn't yet scrapped Paxton's first day of second grade, the perfect plan came together quickly -- that's why I love sketches so much!

Here are a few close-ups.  The chunky cork heart works perfectly with the trimmed doily.

I love those aqua circular sequins in the pack!  And the daffodil sequins go well with the Crate Paper Cool Kid star clip.  And the little cherry bomb sequins accent everything perfectly!!

I used Creative Scrappers cut file "Slice of Cheesecake" to create the triangles that fit in the doily.  The triangles go with the triangle papers!

For my title, I used The Cut Shoppe's "Open Letter Alpha" cut file.  You can see another cork heart and more fun sequins from Spiegelmom Scraps.

Here's the order for today's hop!  I encourage you to make a stop at all the other designers' blogs for more eye candy!!

Anne Keller

Ashley Smith

Audrey Yeager

Caroli Schulz

Christine Beuzit

Jinny Newlin

Joefil E. Cate

Kristine Davidson

Majken Pullin       ***you are here***

Marielle LaForge-LeBlanc

Nicole Doiron

Rachel Lowe

Sarah King

Suzanna Lee

Valerie Ouellet

Vivian Lake

Yvette Weber

Please take advantage of this coupon on your next purchase

 from Spiegelmom Scraps!

Enjoy our reveal this month and please visit us on Dec 15 for another blog hop with
the design team members from SMS!

Tag us using #CreatingWithSketches and #Spiegelmomscraps 

We will also have a great prize for one of our participants
as well as a copy of the NEW Creating With Sketches V4!

Your next stop on the hop is Marielle LaForge-LeBlanc.

Have a great day!

Majken

Happy Little Reader - Quilted Background with Creative Scrappers Cut File

Hello and thanks for stopping by!

Today I have a layout showcasing a quilted background inspired by and used with Kristine Davidson's cut file for Creative Scrappers called Square Space.  Go grab the great cut files from Creative Scrappers, and keep reading to grab a free title cut file.  I also was inspired by my friend Heather while scrapping with her recently - she created a quilt-inspired background too last month.

I decided to use my Simple Stories Bloom & Grow goodies - that collection has such a great combination of colors!! And it went well with photos of my almost-8-year-old son and his nightly reading obsession.  <3  I'm just sorry the little gnomes didn't go with the photos.  ;)

To create the background, I first cut the Square Space background from textured white cardstock.  Next I used the 6x6 paper pad cut many of the patterns into squares a little larger than the openings.  I then cut the squares across diagonally twice to get four triangles from 1 square.  

I then just started piecing together the papers so no two were directly next to each other and adhered them.  I stitched along the background "lattice" to complete the quilted look.  This technique was well worth the time of cutting and piecing.

Because the background was so intricate, I opted for fairly simple for the rest of the layout.

I used leftover 6x6 pieces to layer behind my photos of Paxton.  Some ephemera (how cute is this sun?!), a few New Bradz, and some stickers complete the photo area (along with some 3D foam tape).  Isn't it cute that the photo on the left includes a mark on his chin from sleeping with that book?  It's his very own "bookmark".  ;)  His reading tastes run a little old because of big sister, so he's already reading middle school chapter books.  Did I mention he's been a bookworm from a baby and taught himself to read? 

So next I was going to put a journaling spot, but I came across this fabulous quote that fit perfectly.

I printed it out after matching the ink to the paper collection using a scrappy tip I've shared before.  Then I matted it with more papers, ephemera, and a New Bradz.

For my title, I used Silhouette Studio to type each word in a different font and then welded them together.  I've loaded the cut file to my Google Drive so you can grab it and use it if you'd like! I printed the full title out with white cardstock and then printed it again in the blue polka dot paper to adhere to and help "happy little" stand out from the background a little easier.  Those shadows just can't be avoided when you use 3D foam tape to pop up the words!  

I used some stickers to put the "summer 2016" below the title.  I also scattered some enamel dots at the intersections that didn't already have something on them.

And that's a wrap on today's layout.  I hope it inspires you to create your own quilt-like background - if so, do share with me here or on Instagram.  I'd love to see your creation!

Have a super weekend...hugs and chocolate.

Majken

Sweet Little Man

Hello out there in scrappy land!  Today I'm digging in to a new stash of Jillibean Soup Healthy Hello.  It's got great colors for girls, but I'm using it for a boy layout following along with Scrap Our Stash's April sketch + 3.  I used Jillibean Soup, Kraft paper, and lined paper for my three choices.  Isn't my little man handsome?  He crinkles his nose up at pink but loved the layout when I showed him!  I think the blue really balances it out.

I loved the sketch as soon as I saw it.  I took Just Nick's Scribble Circle Background and trimmed the top left circle from the full background, then enlarged it to cut out.  Then I machine stitched some wonky circles over the circle in dark blue thread.  It's fun to let the sewing machine go fast and crazy!

Speaking of crazy, I decided the small flowers needed to be fussycut so I could include on my layout.  I trimmed the flower journal card to pair with my photo.  I matted it and then trimmed a smaller piece of the lined paper journal card to stash behind.  I loved layering the flowers and stickers like the "awesome you" tab sticker.  Isn't the arrow paper fun?!

  
Here's the embellishment area on the bottom right of the layout.  I adore that "Herbed Hola" paper with the confetti circles!  I also used an arrow sticker and some word stickers, then added more fussycut flowers and some enamel dots.

Here's a close-up of the journal area:

For the title, I used some brown Thickers to go with the kraft paper as well as the blue alpha stickers from the collection.

One more close up of the fussycut flowers (don't they look pretty with the bluebonnet?) and enamel dots.

Here's a look at the sketch:

Fun sketch and super fun collection!  I hope you take a stab at the sketch and that I've inspired you to use your pink on a boy layout.  

Have a super 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

Spring Break Getaway | My Scraps & More Sketches - Sketch 114 Reveal

Howdy howdy, and welcome back to my blog for sketch reveal #114 for the My Scraps & More sketches blog.  We’d love to see your take on our September sketches – just link up to the blog before end of day Sept. 30th for your chance to win a Halloween assortment of crafty goodies!  Today’s sketch is a fun grid sketch and there were so many different ways I could've used it.  I chose to keep fairly close to the sketch using small squares from Jillibean Soup's Summer Red Raspberry collection (it's so pretty...check out another layout I created using this collection).  I did use 3 photos like the sketch, but I changed the placement up a little.

So I started with a base of white textured cardstock and started cutting various patterns from the collection.  I cut from both the 12x12 papers and the 6x6 paper pad.  Then I just started laying them out around the photos.  I liked the papers, but I felt there was still too much white space.  So I ended up trimming another piece of white cardstock and framing it with CTMH Crystal Blue cardstock and then placed out the pieces again.  I sewed the inside edge of the inside white cardstock, adhered it to the bottom center of the 12x12 white cardstock base and then sewed around the left, top, and right of the page for additional texture.  Once I had that together, I started adhering the squares and photos.  I added sewing and ephemera around the page as well, some with 3D foam tape.  I love that little butterfly!  After sewing it down the middle with a swirl, I pulled the wings up slightly.

  

How cute is the pocket piece that has the Robin Williams quote "Spring is nature's way of saying 'let's party'"?  

I decided I had to add another of those butterflies in the top right along with a tab and sequin.  Aren't my little strawberry blonds cute?

Next up:  the title.  I went digging for matching stickers and found some light green Fancy Pants Designs from the Memories Captured sticker sheet.  Then I cut out "getaway" using my Cameo and a matching striped paper from BasicGrey's J'Adore collection.

I left a journaling spot as well and decided to frame that as well.

Here's the sketch!  Don't forget to go check out all the other lovely layouts from the sketch team.  Have a super weekend, and thanks for visiting!

#Cool - My Scraps & More Sketch 112 Reveal

Hi everyone, and welcome to Friday.  It's the most wonderful time of the week!  And the first and third Fridays each month, I'm honored to be part of My Scraps & More sketch design team reveal for sketch 112.  It's such a fun team (be sure to go check out the other layouts they created), and the MSAM store is one of my favorites!  The Simple Stories "So Rad" collection just *jumped* into my cart the last time I was browsing - imagine that!  I guess I *don't* have too much paper tucked in various crevices in my office/scrappy room...<cough>.

So anyhoo...today, I'm sharing a layout with you based on a sketch by Gina Lideros.  She created a .png file for us - and you! - to use on your digital cutting machines.  I enlarged the hexagons in her .png to create the cuts for my base, and then I backed each one with a different pattern from the So Rad collection.  Fun!!  Check it out:

After I cut the hexagons and backed my base page with different papers, I decided to sew around a few of them for effect.  Isn't the plaid paper awesome?  And how cool is it that my husband had just taken this photo of my little man a couple of weeks ago - his shirt and shorts match the papers perfectly.  I didn't even plan it!

After sewing, the rest of the layout came together quickly.  I matted my photo with light blue paper and then backed it with a neutral to help the photo stand out and keep the eye focused on the photo.

Once the photo was in place, the embellishments went on easily!  Around the photo, I used a sentiment sticker "caution: extreme awesome inside".  I tore a strip of the washi paper tape and put that in the top left side of the photo - I used one of the strips that has hexagons on it!  Perfect!  Then I topped the tape with a chipboard circle element.

To ground the layout, I cut a strip of the circles with stars and sewed underneath.  I used my Tiny Attacher (I love that thing!) to put in a few staples.  More chipboard elements - the curly arrow, the "awesome", and some stars.

Then on the top left, I adhered a shorter strip of the circle/star paper, more sewing, more staples, and another chipboard arrow.

Time for the title!  I used another chipboard element.  Next, I sprinkled some enamel dots on some of the background papers and even used one of the stars on top of a star on the paper.  See it in yellow below?

My journaling is a hidden tag with a pull tab trimmed from a hexagon and layered with another sticker.  It slides behind the photo area nicely.

Here is Gina's sketch:

Don't forget to create your own layout and link up on the MSAM sketch blog for your chance to win a great prize pack from My Scraps & More.  Do it!  I promise you will enjoy the sketch as much as I did.

Have a super weekend!

Majken