Layered Paper Christmas Tree Video Tutorial

Okay, I am sharing a video tutorial I created with the Gossamer Blue December kit and add-ons. It was my first video and I think I did okay but I also learned a lot and can't wait to make my next one.

I know because of Facebook that many of you are starting to sort through Christmas photos and you're looking for ideas to scrap the tree decorating, gift opening type photos. Why not add a cute layered tree to your next Christmas layout? I went with a more simpler design than normal to focus on the layered tree and photo.

And now my video.  Let me know what you think in the comments below. Should I put away the camcorder forever or try, try again?

Layered Christmas Tree Tutorial from Heather Leopard on Vimeo.

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas with your friends and loved ones!

Personalized Gift Wrapped Boxes

Hi friends. I wanted to share a set of gift wrap ideas with you that I made using this month's Scrapbook Circle All is Bright kit and Holly Jolly add-on. I'll admit that these take more time than using wrapping paper or sticking a gift in a bag but I find so much joy creating these and sometimes it just has to be done.

How fun are these? Well let me tell you how I made them. First, I cut 2 different sized boxes out of Kraft cardstock two times each using my CAMEO. I assembled each of them and added the gifts.

Deer Box:

1. My larger boxes are 3x4 so I adhered a 3x4 card to the top of the box. I wrapped the sides of the box with paper strips as well.
2. Next, I used a pre-made tag from the kit. It was blending in with the background so I cut a tag  slightly larger to serve as a background.
3. I cut a deer hear out of the gold glitter paper, making sure it fit well within the tag.
4. Lastly, I cut a bow out of paper to complete the package.

Merry & Bright Box:

1. This box is smaller at 2x3.
2. Cut a 1"x12" strip of paper. Fold it into a paper ruffle and wrap it around the box.
3. Add the red glitter ribbon over the paper ruffle.
4. Add a chipboard element to the center and top it with a Giant Rhinestone.
5. Add stickers to the package for added "prettiness"

Tassle Box:

1. Another 2x3 box.
2. Wrapped it in twine.
3.  Cut paper strips approximately 1"x3". Cut the paper into fringe leaving 1/4" uncut across the top. Using a small dowel, roll the paper strip. Adhere the end to the rolled up section. Fan out the fringe and stitch with the chipboard banners onto the twine to make garland. Adhere to the package.

Christmas Tree Box:

1. Cut a 3x4 scrap of kraft paper and set aside.
2. Cut two 1.5"x12" strips of paper. Cut the paper into fringe leaving 1/4" uncut across the top. 
3. Measure the bottom layer the width you want across the bottom of your box for the base of the tree. Adhere to the bottom of the scrap paper.
4. Now, cut the next strip just slight smaller, overlapping over the other layer.
5. Continue to do so until you reach the top. It will resemble a tree but needs another step. 
6. Trim the layers into the shape of a tree.
7. Add a bow and rhinestone to the top of the tree and decorate as desired.
8. I just realized that you could do this much easier than what I did in my steps above. Just add each layer over the other, adhering it to the scrap kraft paper. Once all the layers are glued down, cut it all into the shape of a tree. Duh. Now decorate your tree and adhere to the top of the box.

I can't wait to give these gifts out. These are going to both of my girls' teachers.

Oh and did I mention that I made these for the Scrapbook Circle gift wrap challenge? I can't win the amazing prize they are giving away but YOU can! Come play along with me for a chance to win a Printshop by Studio Calico prize package. Click HERE for more details.

Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas!

Duck Dynasty

Want a chance to win a Scrapbook Circle All is Bright December kit? See the post below this one to enter to win.

Well, I'm not so sure about that.  This country girl turned city girl had a ton of fun growing up in the sticks and I can't say that "frog catchin'" was on my list of fun but to each their own, I guess. 

I'm quoting Jase from Duck Dynasty because it kind of / sort of relates to my project today.  First, I can think of a lot more fun things to do other than frog catchin'. This would be anything that has to do with my family, obviously!  Second, it's seems this dynamic family of mine was caught up in a bit of a duck dynasty while visiting a local pond. 

Supplies from Gossamer Blue November 2013 kit

The funny thing is, I cropped this photo quite a bit and what you don't see are a gazillion more ducks that swarmed us.  There must have been at least 40 - 50 of them.  They were a real duck dynasty who were definitely ruling the roost. I suspect they were looking for food.

I cut gold doilies out of the vellum and gold Flea Market paper. I used one as a main focal point along with my photo and then added a few more on the layout.

I cut several feathers out of green vellum and I love how the other elements show through them.  I added additional paper feathers, die cuts and chipboard and then journaled around the elements.

I used the Glitz roller stamps with Versamark and clear embossing powder throughout the layout right over the lines that divide the different colors in the background. Reminds me of a paint swatch.  

Thanks for stopping by today. Rest assured, big brother picked up little sister to save her from all the ducks. We did make the great duck escape and lived to tell about it. Now we're all Happy, Happy, Happy!

It’s the Little Things

The Gossamer Blue October kits were simply AH-MAZING! Like, wow amazing. It was packed with Crate Paper, Glitz, American Craft, Elle’s Studio, Pebbles and of course, the Gossamer Blue exclusives.  I love to mix the lines, but today, I couldn't resist the Glitz Design Finnley collection and the Gelatos from the color kit.

This whole layout started with the "just stay little" tulle skirt die cut at the bottom of the page.  Seriously, that one little thing inspired this all.  My daughter is enchanted with these dresses and all things girly and I just love it!  I usually start with the photo but I knew I’d have plenty to choose from because she has one of these dresses in just about every photo I have of her from the last 2 – 3 years.

I always tell her that I just want her to stay little and how much hope I have for her future so the cards layered under the photo were a perfect complement to it all. I use the Dream Big Little One card for hidden journaling.

Then I sorted through the Glitz word stickers and found so many that described her perfectly. I laid everything out without adhering it to the paper, snapped a photo of the layout, so I’d know where to put it all later, and then deconstructed it.

Now it was time for the gelatos!  OMG, these are so fun.  They are like little crayons that you can color with directly on your paper or you can apply them to a non sticky mat first. I chose to apply them in a random pattern direct to my paper and then I used a water soaked paint brush to paint and swirl it around in a lovely
watercolor pattern.  I did this down the left side of the page and again under the photo area.

Once dried, I put everything back in it’s place. I adhered it all down and did a bit of final stitching over the triangles.  A bit messy? Yes. A lot of fun? Absolutely yes! A unique new layout? Of course!

Have you ever played with gelatos? If not, make sure to check them out. They are soo much fun! Thanks for stopping by today. Now go on and get crafty!

Fight Like a Girl

It's lift time again at Scrapbook Circle and I got to scraplift what Yoshimi did with her sketch that I also did previously so it was a new twist to one of my recent posts.  I LOVED Yoshimi's take on it so I went pretty literally on it and it came together relatively quickly.

The pics are of my daughter and one of her BFF at Field Day. They are on these huge tubes trying to bump each other out of a circle drawn in dirt.  They had a ton of fun with this. 

Supplies from Scrapbook Circle Garden Party kit: Girls' Paperie "Hey Day" paper; House of 3 SIOREE "trellies" paper; My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose Gertie "You & Me" Numbers paper, My Mind's Eye Lovely Sticker Labels, My Mind's Eye Fancy Sticker Tags; Pink Paislee Hometown Summer "Summer Fun" paper; Jillibean Soup "Corn Kernels" paper; Maya Road green resin bloosoms; Basic Grey Woolies "Hello Luscious" felt stickers; Glitz teeny alphas ivory blocks. From previous Scrabook Circle kits: "jubilee" sticker market and "on holiday" travel text

Can you tell I used this background paper for another project? Yep, I loved the flip side of this paper and used it for a previous layout.  Before I started on that other layout, I did a little strategic planning.  I knew I wanted to use the grid side at some point (which is now today) so I cut out the center of the paper. I put an older scrap paper on the back of this to adhere the photos to in the center and none one will ever know, well except all of you.

Yoshimi's inspiring layout

Enjoy the Ride & A Flower Window Box

It's a pony ride for Little Miss!  This week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch was fun to play with.  I got out this paint dabber that I hadn't used yet so I just went to town making circles to resemble going round and round and round on the pony ride. 

Supplies: The Girls' Paperie Jubilee, Crate Paper Portraits Bridesmaids; Jillibean Soup Burlap Chipboard Alphabeans; Glitz Teeny Alphas Cream; Jenni Bowlin Paint Dabber Chili Powder

Pleay along with us this week for your chance to win a Miss Art's Papercrafting School 60-day Extra Credit Subscription, a $30 value!!

Today I am featured ont he Imaginisce blog again but this time I teamed up with fellow designer Aphra to show you some Click it with Cricut projects.  The theme is April Showers Bring May Flowers. My project is below but make sure to visit the Imaginisce blog to see how I made it and to see the adorable card Aphra made.  Oh we are giving away eight 3-month Cricut Circle memberships. Details for winning are below. Man, I wish I could win one!

Supplies: Garden Party collection: Darling Dahlias, Blossoms of Blue, Brambleberry Blossoms, Wild Flowers, Rows of Posies; Pink Cardstock; Roly Rosies - Warm flowers and Petal Roller to roll the flowers AND the grass; i-top, small brad daddy; i-bond, i-rock and glam rocks; small box with foam insert; scissors to cut the grass; dowel to glue flowers to so they stand upright and don't flop over.

Okay, in order to win a 3 Month Cricut Circle Trial Membership there's just a few things you need to do but it's worth it because the prize is a REALLY great one!


1. Become a follower here at my blog and leave me a comment.
2. Head over to Aphra's blog HERE and tell her how much you loved her project, don't forget to become a follower.
3. Lastly, visit the Imaginisce blog HERE and leave a comment telling us what collection you think we will be releasing next week... hint, it might require you to pitch a tent.

Thanks for visiting today!

ME & My Shadow

Can I just tell you how cute my little baby girl is??? She and I were waiting for her sister and daddy to ride Goofy's Barnstormer ride at Disney World last December and there was this cute little house/play area. She was walking all around and checking things out and I was just snapping pics of her being cute. I honestly can't remember registering in my mind that she was doing what she was doing.  It wasn't until earlier this week when I was looking at some other pics of her at Disney  at this same locale that I realized she was making hand puppets and playing with her shadow.  These pictures became instantly priceless and were perfect for this week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch. I used the January kit from Scrapbook Circle, which has the perfect paper combos for what I had planned. Check out how darling she is.

Supplies: Scrapbook Circle January kit - Fancy Pants Love Birds Collection: Strips, Circle of Love, Sending My Love, LB Element; Glitz Love Nest Demask; misc. embellishments. Non-Kit Items: Bazzill Basics Caribbean Breeze; Girls' Paperie on holiday labels; Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type Alphas; American Craft Thickers - Sprinkles & Vera Vinyl Letter Stickers

I had a hard time with the title because I wanted it to say Me and My Shadow. Then I wanted it to say Minnie and her shadow but it doesn't quite have the same ring as Me & My Shadow so I combined the two by using a large M and E and squeezing "inni" between the two. Then came the delimna of using "my" or "her". I ultimately went with "my" since the primary focus of the squeezed up "MinniE" reads like "ME" from a distance. I like my decision...what would you have done?

Make sure to check out what the other design team girls did with this week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch and play along for your chance to win a yummy package from Pink Ninja Addicts or for your chance to become the Sketchy Thursdays FAVE!

A Walk to Remember

Wow, 2 posts in one day. If you missed my news this morning check out my 1st post from earlier today.

I am SOOO happy to announce that I was selected to be on the Scrapbook Circle Design Team for the next 6 months. I loved their kits so much that when my girlfriend, Audrey, told me about the DT call I sent my application right in. I got my first kit, Happy Days, about a week ago and OMG it is AMAZING.  We have got some great things lined up for the month of February and I don't want to give too much away but be on the lookout for some HOPPIN' good opportunities to get your hands on your very own kit.  Until then, I'm gonna kick off the 1st project of February with something we like to call One Item Wonder.

Do you ever get something and WONDER what you will do with that ONE ITEM?  I am here to show you today what you can do with the transparency that came in February's Happy Days kit.  I also created this layout for the February Crop Suey Challenge, which is to use 9 different types of items on a project.

The dreaded transparency (actually, I am really fond of these but I felt it needed dramatic effect). The one I was given to work with is the yellow framed one on the bottom left with red metallic graph lines inside.

And now my layout:

Supplies: Pink Paislee Sweetness Pretty Lace Paper, Glitz Hoopla Polka Paper, October Afternoon Modern Homemaker Cheery Pie Paper, transparency, Basic Grey paper labels, Staz-On, Cosmo Cricket Alphas, Ribbon

 So, check out how I did it and then head over to today's blog post at Scrapbook Circle to see what Diana W did with her transparency (and to leave some LOVE):

1. I took my x-acto knife and cut out the inside of the transparency to make a frame and adhered it to the photo to draw attention to the cute little kiddos.
2. I stamped a swirly image using black staz-on to the leftover transparency.
3. I cut out 4 scalloped circles.  The transparency is SUPER thick and my punch would not penetrate it so I hand cut them. It doesn't have to be perfect because of what you will do next.
4. I took my heat embosser to them and melted away.  They ended up curling up A LOT so while they were still warm I just kind of scrunched them in my hands. Disclaimer: use gloves to avoid heat injury.
5. I re-heated them if I didn't like the way they looked when cooled and it worked like a charm. Some of the transparency turned white, I guess where I applied the most heat and I really liked the effect.
6. Once I was happy with them I applied them to my layout - 1 as an accent on the middle right and the other 3 are stacked on top of each other on the bottom left. 

Here's a close-up of the stacked "flower":

How cool is that?  And did you pay attention to what my 9 items were? I used Pattern Paper, a Photo Corner, Journaling, faux Lace Borders, a Transparency, a Label, StazOn Ink, Ribbon, a Button, Flowers, Alphas. Okay, so maybe I used more than 9 :) Make sure to head over to Crop Suey starting on February 5th to learn more about the challenge and how you can enter for a chance to win the prize from our fabulous sponsor.

And what are you waiting for? Lisa still has a few of the February Happy Days kits left so get yours hands on one while you can. :)