Snow Wonderful

Hi everyone.  Heather Leopard is here doing what I love most...playing with background cut files! This one in particular is the Nordic Background. I used my Scrapbook Circle Everyday Stories December kit and a few snowflake embellishments from Hip Kit Club I borrowed from my friend, Majken.

I altered this cut file just a tad, removing the x's that are part of the cut file so that I could hand stitch them instead.  Then I enlarged it to cover the entire page, removing the lower portion since that was going to be covered by patterned paper. Let me walk you through how I did this...

First, I separated the cut file elements and removed the x's. leaving only the snowflakes and diamonds.  Then, I traced the outline of one of the snowflakes and offset it just slightly, making it a tad bit larger than the background cut.

Then I cut the outline of the snowflakes out of different patterned papers and....

adhered them randomly behind some of the snowflakes to the back of the large cut file. Then I hand stitched the x's back into place.

I didn't have enough variety of the blue-ish patterned paper so I pieces of packaging for the back of the letters.

That's just my way of using cut files (like Nordic Background) to make unique layouts.

So Many Reasons To Be Happy | Scrapbook & Cards Today Guest Designer

Hello, hello, today is an especially HAPPY day.  Not only am I showcasing 3 reasons I am happy on a layout but I just ecstatic to be guesting over on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog with a project I made using this month's cut file, designed by Nicole Nowosad, plus the new Paige Evans Fancy Free collection via my Scrapbook Circle May kit.  So lots of reasons to be happy.

Here's the file I used. You can download this file for FREE from the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog.

I chose to cut the file and hand stitch around the words.  I have to admit, it took WAY too long and I was telling myself I was crazy the whole time but I love how it turned out in the end so I'd say it was all worth it.

How to:

• Supersize the cut file so that it leaves approximately 1" on each side of the paper.  
• Add stitching dots or lines around the words and cut the file. Altnertively, you can manually poke the holes.

Here's where the "fun" begins.....

• Hand stitch around the words using your favorite embroidery thread. 
• Layer the stitched paper over a pattern paper, careful not to use a super busy paper.  I chose a design that had a white background but when I placed the stitched paper over it, it was somewhat washed out.
• To fix this, I watercolored over it in a complimentary blue color. 

• Once dry, adhere the paper overlay on top.  You could also add this before stitching but since I used my Silhouette to poke the holes, I adding this after.

I added my precious children as my reasons to be happy, adding them to the page in birth order.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Please head over to the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog to download the file.  LEAVE ME SOME LOVE WHILE YOU'RE THERE!

Scrapbook Circle | Top Dog Dies Blog Hop: Our 2014 Travel Stories

I'm excited to be participating in the Top Dog Dies & Scrapbook Circle Blog Hop that's going on all week! I recently got to play with some exclusive dies from Top Dog Dies. I paired them with the Scrapbook Circle April kit, The Bucket List and made a great little mini album for our upcoming adventures. 

Take a look at what I created using their Mason Jar die and then check out the prizes we are giving away and some special discount codes.

 I decided it would be fun to have a read made mini album to easily document our fun family adventures.  I'm not sure what those will be just yet, as I'm still working on our Spring/Summer bucket list but I left plenty of room to add a more descriptive word between "our" and "story".

I chose to create two pockets on the first set of pages. One set is cut from paper and the other from vellum. I can put a whole much of photos in one and tickets, maps, etc. in the other.

I love the Studio Calico paper in this kit. I knew that I wanted specific parts of the paper to show on he left page above so here's what I did. TIP: I cut a base out of vellum to use as a guide for all the pages. This allowed me to move the vellum around the different papers to see how things would look before I cut it. I also did this for the base and the label. This allowed me to center things perfectly. Now I can highlight the method of transportation at the top, where we are in the world in the middle and I can journal in the little boxes at the bottom. For the opposite page, I added the sticker tags and a banner, that I can add details to as well.

 This set of pages aren't embellished too much. I thought the sentiments were right on and it allows for lots of space for photos.

 I LOVE, LOVE the My Mind's Eye frames paper in this month's kit. I kept two on the left to add photos and/or journaling to and then fussy cut two more for the right page.

 Another pocket? Yes, please! I cut one label from the text paper and another from velum. I adhered the vellum to the paper and then made a pocket.

My last set of pages left lots and lots of room for journaling (or more photos) and another pocket to tuck more photos in.

I'm sure I'll add more embellishments to the pages once we have the memories but I think this is a good start. It will make documenting our adventures a breeze. Be sure to follow me here and on Instagram to see how this project progresses and for sneaks and full reveals of all my other crafty projects.

About Scrapbook Circle...we are passionate about preserving our family memories. We love sharing daily inspiration and connecting with others who also love to create. We have been creating monthly scrapbook kits for over seven years. Each of our kits includes a custom printable and we have now expanded our shop to included coordinating digital files. We create exclusive items for each monthly kit. We strive to provide you with fresh products every month that inspire you to create.

Scrapbook Circle Discount Code:  Use code Heather20off to receive 20% off your order. This code does not expire so use it anytime you shop the store.

Top Dog Dies is a new online store that offers their own brand of wafer-thin and steel-rule dies, along with dies from brands you already know and trust, including Little B, My Favorite Things, Lawn Fawn, Taylored Expressions, Savvy Stamps and Cheery Lynn Designs. Top Dog Dies is also the leading U.S. retailer for Tattered Lace a new line of intricate dies designed by British designer Stephanie Weightman.

Top Dog Dies is also offering a special promotion during the hop. Spend $100 on anything in the store and get 15% off when you use code SCHOP15, or spend $60 and get 10% off when you use code SCHOP10.

Scrapbook Circle is giving away two $50 Prize Packs of exclusive wafer-thin dies!

Top Dog Dies is giving away a Bucket List Kit!

Winners will be chosen from comments here, there and everywhere - from those left here on my blog, as well as on the Design Team Members blogs or the Top Dog Die and Scrapbook Circle blogs - so be sure to leave some love in the comments below (and follow me if you like what you see) by Sunday, April 27th when the hop ends.

So, on with the hop...your next stop is to a dear friend and the super talented Diana Fisher.

In case you get lost along the way below is an entire hop list: 

Top Dog Dies

Scrapbook Circle

Amy Wanford

Amy Tsuruta

Giovana Smith 

Katie Brooks

Stacey Schafer

Nicole Picadura

Renee Robbins

Karen Letchworth

Wendy Sue Anderson

Sara Zenger

Heather Leopard *YOU ARE HERE*

Diana Fisher

Adrienne Alvis

Audrey Yeager

Diana Waite

Tessa Buys

Leslie Ashe

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!

Tiny Dancer

My youngest daughter was recently in a dance recital. I took so many photos but this one stood out to me. I snapped this photo of her backstage after she put on her costume. She was sitting there looking so sweet and excited to perform. She wasn't nervous at all.

I used the Scrapbook Circle  July "Let's Chat" kit, which is full of Crate Paper, Fancy Pants, Jillibean Soup and Scrapbook Circle EXCLUSIVES, like stickers, tags and more! I got the add-on too  'cause I just had to have the 6x6 paper pad, flair and mask. Check out  preview of the kit below and go scoop one up before they are gone!

Isn't she just so cute? Yes, I know I am biased! I pulled the title from a song again and layered paper, tags, stickers and more. I did add some black glitter paper that my friend gave me so it's not in the kit but I just had to use it!

I cut strips to journal on and faux stitched around one of the layers. Lots of foam dots and stickers and borders here.

Thanks for stopping by today. Don't forget to head over to Scrapbook Circle to get more info on this kit and check out the Idea Gallery to see what the design team has created with it. It is soo fun to create with!

Little Miss Innocent

I went back a few years when digging for photos for this week's sketch at Creative Scrappers! I am trying to keep up with each year as I'm in it but sometimes I get the urge to reminisce and work on the "oldies".  Anyway, these photos are of my daughter doing what she did best at the time...pulling the toilet paper off the rolls.

I created this using Creative Scrappers sketch 219 and the Scrapbook Circle July 2012 kit, Sunshine Day.

Creative notes:

• I faux stitched around the yellow distressed paper; the grid lines on the paper made it super easy to follow and keep my "stitching" in a nice straight line.  
• Prior to adhering the layered pieces to the background paper, I cut some of the scallops out of the background paper and re-purposed them again over the yellow paper. 
• I used wood circle frames to highlight the doily in the banner and the "memories" brad embellishment. It adds just the right amount of attention to those bits that might have gone unnoticed.
• I used actual toilet paper on my layout.  I gave the toilet paper a scallop treatment by folding it in half again and again until it was the size of one scallop and then I cut a scallop with my scissors, like you do to make snowflakes. Then I ruffled them on the page under my photos.
• To make the word "innocent" stand out a bit more I outlined around each alpha and again over the top edge of the letters.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Little Biker Chick & Diana's Anniversary BLOG HOP!!!

Wow, it's been blog hop central over here.  I am super duper excited about this blog hop in particular. In this day in age with all the social networks, forums, challenge sites, blogs, etc. you can really meet some great people online and I consider myself fortunate to have met and developed a deep adoration for Miss Diana.

Today, we're celebrating her 3 year blog-iversary by doing a blog hop with several other talented scrappy ladies, who always WOW me with their creations. And, there's something in it for you! Hop on through each of the blogs below to find prizes and inspiration along the way. Plus, there's a chance to play along with us! Use the sketch Diana made, link your entry back at her blog, and you could win a $30 shop credit to Scrapbook Circle.  You have until April 30, 2012 to play along.

Okay, so let's get started with the hop.  If you are new to my site - WELCOME. I hope you'll like what you see and become my newest follower! If you've been here before - WELCOME BACK!

Here is my page, inspired by the sketch below.  I'm also doing a GIVEAWAY! Leave me a comment below (and follow my blog if you wish but it's not required) for a chance to win some goodies from the Amy Tangerine and Heidi Swapp lines I used in my layout! My prize is not pictured but this layout should give you a pretty good hint of what may or may not be in my sampler giveaway...

 

Supplies: from Scrapbook Circle April 2012 kit "Daydreamer" 

Inspired by this sketch by Diana:

A few close-ups:

Look at all the bright 80's neon that's making a comeback! Can you believe it?

I misted the Heidi Swapp letters with mist and then rubbed it off. I love that you can alter the colors of these alphas!

Lots of layering, distressing, and fussy cutting!

A little peek at my journaling...

Your next stop is the talented Corrie Jones. If you get lost along the way, here is the hop order:

Heather Leopard <--That's ME!
Corrie Jones {http://corejones.blogspot.com/}
Audrey Yeager {http://audreysreflection.blogspot.com/}
Antonia Krajicek {http://www.greenhornedunicorn.com/}
Shannon Bogan {http://agirlcalledchicken.blogspot.com/}
Lisa Swift {http://lisarukinswift.blogspot.com/}
Julie Tucker-Wolek {http://thetuckerwolekclan.blogspot.com/}
Jennifer Ingle {http://justjingle.blogspot.com/}
Tessa Buys {http://precociouspaper.blogspot.com/}
Ashley Horton {http://ashleyspaperdoll.blogspot.com/}
Sara Zenger {http://sarazenger.blogspot.com/}
Diana Fisher {http://designbydiana.blogspot.com/}

Thanks for stopping by today! Good Luck! 

Save the Date & a Scrapbook Circle Sneak Peek

Hi friends! Looking for The Twinery and Imaginisce blog hop? Click the link or scroll to my previous post but make sure to read this first...

I'm so excited to share a sneak peek of "The Story", aka Scrapbook Circle's May kit.  But wait, there's more...You will want to mark your calendars for this! Something fun will be happening this right here on this blog this weekend!

My dear, talented, crafty gal pal, Diana Fisher is celebrating her 3 year "blogiversary" and asked ME to be a part of it. Yep, she has pulled together a few of her amazingly crafty friends for a weekend blog hop and I can't wait!  There will be inspiration to be found and prizes to be won from Paper Issues, Precious Remembrance Shop, and one of my fave kit clubs, Scrapbook Circle. Most, if not all, of the designers will be giving away goodies on each of their blogs as well.  Lots of chances to win!

Speaking of Scrapbook Circle, the project I'll be creating for the hop and sharing with you will be using the April kit, called Daydreamer. There's only a few left so if you love the new Amy Tan, Lilybee and Heidi Swapp, you should head over there now to get your hands on this.

Now, I promised a sneak of the May kit, Daydreamer.  Check this out...What do you see there? 

Thanks for stopping by today. I'll see you this weekend!

Happy Go Lucky Backseat Driver

So I got this Facebook message a week or two ago promising me that I wasn't be stalked but that someone was looking for me. Apparently, they had seen my blog and thought my work was "fan-freaking-tastic" and asked if I'd be willing to be a guest blogger for them. After trying to figure out why they didn't just email me, I realized that I was not making myself accessible for opportunities like this.  I took three actions, checked out a site that in all honesty I knew about but forgot about (shame on me), accepted the offer and updated my blog to include my email address - duh!

Sooooooo, I am excited to be blogging for Scrapbook Steals.com today. Did you know that they not only have great daily deals but they have an inspiration blog too?  If you came here from the blog, WELCOME!

Anyway, today I am showcasing my love of Mr. Huey mists. I really enjoy getting dirty with paint and mists and such but it doesn’t always have to be make a mess, nor should it be intimidating, like many people think.

They asked me to share a few scrapbooking ideas and tips with you to show you just how fun the misting technique can be. I’ve been playing with mists for years but I fell in love with Mr. Huey mists last year after attending Kelly Purkey’s misting techniques class at CKC Houston.

Let's jump into my first scrapbook layout...I pulled out my favorite go-to kit club stash from Scrapbook Circle and I laid out all of my papers, photos and elements to figure out where I wanted everything arranged and then I took a visual picture in my head, removed everything from the page and spray misted with brown in the 3 spots you see below. I then pulled the nozzle out of the bottle and flicked blue mist onto the page over the brown to give it a splattered look.

Pin It

Scrapbook supplies: from Scrapbook Circle Remember This February 2012 kit - Crate Paper Love Letter paper, October Afternoon Farmhouse Flower Sack, Crate Paper Farmhouse Alpha Sticker Sheet, Whisker Graphics Chevron Aqua Bag, Elle's Studio Lil Snippets Treasured tag sheet, Yellow Twine, Whisker Graphics Large White Tag, My Mind's Eye Be Amazing Button Card. Scrapbook Circle Be Amazing Kit Add-on - My Mind's Eye Be Amazing 12 x 12 Chipboard, My Mind's Eye Be Amazing Brads, My Mind's Eye Be Amazing 6x6 pad (hexagon paper). Not included in the kit Mr. Huey Calico Classic Calico and Bonny Blue, Chocolate Zig Pen, jute twine.

I’m also a fan of making things pop on the page so I used foam squares to lift different elements off the page. Some but not all of the hexagons, word banners and embellishments are popped.

For my 2nd page, I chose to scale back a little with the mist but it’s still an important part of the story.

Pin It
Scrapbooking Supplies: Scrapbook Circle Best. Day. Ever. kit - Dear Lizzy Cheerful Notes, Dear Lizzy Neapolitan At First Sight paper, Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Sunny Skip paper. Scrapbook Circle Scatter Sunshine Add-on - Dear Lizzy Date Roller, Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Printed Chipboard Shapes. Not in kit: Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Hazy Horizon paper, Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Buttons & Accents, Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Fair Ribbon, Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Letter Stickers, American Crafts Thickers, Core'dinations Color Core Cardstock, Mr. Huey Bonny Blue, Sew Stamper, Black Zig Pen.

These are Instagram photos with a filter to make them look vintagy so the splatter effect was called for again here. Usually I will do the splatter on my foundation piece before I start layering everything but since I was going for an aged look, I adhered all the papers first and then misted, hoping a few splatters would land on the different papers. I then added the photos.

I knew I wanted to add clouds to the top right corner of the layout so I flicked a little blue mist over there before I stitched the clouds to the paper. Also, the blue cloud was much brighter than I wanted so I toned down the color by spraying blue mist over it. Then I placed it so that the mist splatter would look like rain coming from it. It was a gorgeous fall day but I liked the rain effect.

So, those are my projects for today. As you can probably see, I really do love my Mr. Huey mists. Before I go, I thought I’d share a few tips to keep in mind when using your mists:

• I use an old 13x13x5-ish box handy for all my misting projects. I just put the paper or item in the box and mist away. This protects everything around me from getting mist on it. It’s fun to look at your box each time because you can see traces of all your projects in there.
• Use a stencil, die-cut or negative image from a die-cut to create a mask for misting.
• Use a stencil or die-cut and instead of using it as a mask, mist it up and press it over your project like you would a stamp. Lift to see your image.
• Mist your stamps for a really cool effect
• Heat emboss an image and then mist over it
• Alter the color of twine, ribbon, canvas, alphas, anything that will take color, including paper
• The possibilities are endless. You will learn by experimenting. Of course you’ll want to use practice paper if you are new to the world of misting.
• Last tip is to DON'T STRESS and HAVE FUN!

Thanks for stopping by today. If my pages and tips inspired you, and you are in the market for some FAB misting products, check out today's Scrapbook Steal deal on them.