By General Crafts Contributor Mina, from the blog Mina’s Journal.

Here’s a set of Clever Cats Tags to print and cut out. Use them as gift tags or journal tags in your papercraft projects. Print out a set for that cat lover you know!

Download Clever Cat Tags – White

Ways to Use the Clever Cats Tags

• Gift Tags
• Journal Tags
• Card Toppers
• Book labels
• Scrap pages
• Clip art
• Write your cat’s name on them and stick them to the cat house or cat basket

Download Clever Cat Tags – Black

Just cut and write. Punch a hole to thread string or ribbon through and you’re ready to go!

Download Clever Cat Tags – Black Label

These black tags are for those who want a label for writing on the front of the tag.

Happy Crafting!

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

I have such a love for Valentine’s Day simply because I adore hearts. Making a hanging piece of heart decor is ideal whether you’re putting it up outside or on a plain, boring wall. This heart craft is comprised of connecting hearts, similar to the look of a four leaf clover, and requires only a handful of materials.

What you’ll need:

• Red felt
• Red or pink patterned paper
• Double-sided tape
• Mod Podge
• Scissors
• Wide ribbon

Step 1. Choose a piece of red or pink patterned scrapbook paper. I picked one that’s white on one side, but if you so choose, use one that’s double-sided.

Step 2. Cut a piece of scrapbook paper into four even strips. If you’re using a standard size piece of scrapbook paper, each strip will be 3″ x 12″.

Step 3. Fold each strip in half, then bend in the ends so it forms a heart shape. Use a double-sided piece of tape to hold the heart shape in place. Make four in total.

Step 4. Use double-sided tape to attach the hearts to each other so their points meet in the center.

Step 5. Cut a piece of wide ribbon that’s long enough so it can hang the decor from wherever you’d like it placed.

Step 6. Put a dot of Mod Podge on each end of the ribbon. If you’re working with the hearts in a clockwise pattern, slide one end in between the top heart and the second heart, then slide the other end in between the top heart and the fourth heart. Press the paper down over the ribbon so it sticks.

Step 7. Cut two hearts out of red felt, then use a piece of double-sided tape or the Mod Podge to stick one on each side over the center where the points meet.

By Guest Bloggers Melissa + Kellie, from the blog Icing Designs.

Oh how we love paper flowers, let us count the ways! Well at least 4 ways! We certainly do have a weakness for paper flowers, they are so versatile, beautiful and easy to make! Thanks to the lovely DIY corespondent Katie, we are going to show you how to create 4 different paper flowers…that can be used in a variety of ways!

Materials:

• Paper in any color you wish (paper should be easy to manipulate, rather than heavier cardstock)
• Flower Template: For this flower a template for a flower shape found on Martha Stewart that was originally meant for fabric flowers was used. (Go here for template)
• Scissors
• Glue gun & glue
• Ruler
• Bone Folder or Scoring Board

Directions:

1. Trace template onto paper and cut out 4 flower shapes.

2. On two of the flower shapes, score down the center of each petal and fold inward.

3. Glue one of the folded flower shapes on top of the other, staggering the petals.

3. Fold the other two flower shapes in quarters, hot gluing the at the tip to keep the fold secure.

4. Bend the tip of the fold and glue it into the center of the flower.

5. You can bend and open the petals if need be.

Visit Icings Designs for instructions on how to make these flowers!

Check out this AMAZING paper flower arch Katie made for her sister’s gorgeous wedding this summer!

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

This is the time of year for special cards of all types.  A special card with a gift card to someone’s favorite store is always a big hit this time of year.  Why not make it even more special by creating the card by hand? 

Supplies Needed:

• Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Paper Pad
• Green and Red Cardstock
• 3-d adhesive
• Favorite tape runner
• Glue
• Scoring Board
• Photo Corner Punch
• Paper Trimmer

Begin by cutting a 6″ x 12″ card base from the green cardstock, score in the center at 6″ and fold in half.  This will create a 6″ x 6″ card for you to use.  Next, cut a piece of green cardstock that measures 6 ½” long x 6″ wide.  Using the scoring board, score the length of the paper starting from left to right at ½”, ¾”, ½”, ½”, ¾”, 1 ½”, 1 ½”.  Now you need to fold that piece in a peaks and valleys manner.  The first flap, which is the ½” score on your left, is folded downward.  The ¾”” score is left flat, the next ½” score is folded downward to the valley and the next ½” finishes the valley fold.  The next score is the ¾” score and it is left flat.  The first 1 ½” is folded down which forms the front side of this piece that faces the opening of the card.  The last 1 ½” is folded underneath.  When you are finished your piece should look like this picture when it’s attached to the card. 

Run a small piece of tape from the tape runner on the inside of the valley fold area to close it up so the gift card will sit straight in the holder. 

Starting on the bottom of the card attach the 1 ½” piece which was the last section you scored to the card using the glue so it will hold when the card is opened and closed.  Attach the 1/2″ flap to the top of the card.  Refer to second picture for help if needed.

Once the card is completely assembled refold all the score lines to give them a crisp fold so the card closes easily.  This may have to be done more than once to get it to close. 

On the front of the card, cut a 5″ x 4 ¾” piece of Merry and Bright patterned paper from the Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Paper Pad and adhere it to the card.  Trim the “Hearty Greeting” message from the Santa Express sheet in the paper pad and adhere it using the 3-d adhesive circles on each corner.  Using the photo corner punch, punch 4 pieces from the red cardstock and attach them to each corner. 

On the inside of the card, cut a 3 ¼” x 2″ piece of red cardstock and adhere it.  Cut the “Received From” tag from the Special Delivery sheet from the paper pad and adhere it to the cardstock.  Cut a 5 ½” x 2″ piece of red cardstock for the bottom of the card and place it on there.  Over the top of the cardstock leaving approximately ¾” of the red showing adhere a 5 ½” x 3″ piece of the Merry and Bright patterned paper. 

Place the gift card in the holder and it’s ready to give as a special gift.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

In all of the craziness of the holiday don’t forget to help Santa out and let him know what you would like for Christmas.  He reads a lot of letters so make yours into a layout with pictures from your favorite craft store like CreateForLess so he knows just what to get you and where to get it. 

Santa Claus is going to make an extra delivery to one lucky CreateForLess customer this holiday season! Enter our Dear Santa Sweepstakes and you could win up to $100 of what you’ve been wishing for this holiday season! Simply pick out your wish list at CreateForLess and enter HERE!

Supplies Needed:

• Corner Rounder
• Christmas Tree Punch
• Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Paper Pad
• Red Stickles
• Yellow Stickles
• Fired Brick Distress Ink
• Vintage Photo Distress Ink
• Heritage Cricut Cartridge
• Cricut Machine
• 3-d Adhesive
• Green Cardstock
• Smooth White Cardstock
• Smooth Beige Cardstock that works in your printer
• Black Marker
• Your favorite tape runner

The first thing you will want to do is to punch the Christmas trees using the tree punch and green cardstock  and then put the red and yellow Stickles dots on them.  Set them aside to dry.  Next, go to your favorite online craft store like CreateForLess and find some things on your wish list.  Copy and paste them into a document and print them off on the Smooth Beige Cardstock.  Keep in mind to size your photos so they will fit onto the 8 x 8 patterned paper once they are cut out.  After cutting around each photo, round the corners with the corner rounder and ink the edges using the Fired Brick Distress Ink.    Also, round the corners of the “Toyland” patterned paper from the Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Paper Pad.  Attach the pictures with the tape runner to the patterned paper making sure to tilt some of the photos to add attention to the layout. 

Using your Cricut machine set the size to cut to 3 ¾” and cut the scroll from the Heritage cart.  Ink the edges using the Vintage Photo Distress Ink to give it an old world paper look and adhere it to your layout.    Write your letter to Santa with the black marker on the scroll and add the trees to the layout using the 3-d adhesive so they pop off the page. 

You now have your letter to Santa finished and can help cut his work time down by showing him where he can find the tools on your Christmas wish list!

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

Q. What is the difference between acrylic and cling stamps?

A. Acrylic stamps, also known as clear stamps, are made of a clear polymer that is flexible which allows them to be placed on plastic sheets for easy storage. Since they do not come with a handle like a wood mounted stamp does a reusable acrylic block is needed to use this type of stamp. The image has been etched on and die cut closely so they are the easiest to use as you can see through them to know exactly where you are placing your image. Cling stamps are rubber stamps without the wooden block. They have been trimmed around and a piece of cling vinyl has been placed on the foam mount to attach to the stamp where normally the wood block would be. This vinyl which is very sticky sticks to the acrylic block allowing it to be the handle of the stamp and can be removed after used. These stamps are the actual size of the image which allows for easier placement on your projects.

Q. What is a scoring board?

A. Scoring (or score) board is used to create a grooved line into the paper (score line) which helps in getting a crisp, clean fold. They are a handy tool for card makers to get a clean fold of a card and also can be used for creating the folds in handmade envelopes and boxes, as well as, other projects.

Q. What is fussy cutting in paper crafting?

A. A lot of people know this term from quilting, but it has also spread into paper crafting. There are two ways of doing a fussy cut. One is when you use scissors or a craft knife to cut closely around the edge of a particular image; a stamped image for instance. The second way, which may not be thought of as often, is when you use a die and die cut machine to make a cut around an image in a piece of patterned paper.

Q. I want to use the cards I received on my layout, but how do I do that?

A. You can add a re-sealable bag to your layout and then add embellishments to the outside that match the theme of your layout or you can create a pocket out of cardstock or scrapbook paper by cutting it to a size to fit the widths and heights of the cards with an additional 1/2” added to these measurements on the sides and bottom to score and fold towards the layout which allows it to be attached to the scrapbook page. Both ways allow your cards to stay intact and removable to read again and again.

Q. Any ideas where I can find some inspiration?

 A. A great place to start is the Think Crafts blog, but you may also be interested in the great books that CreateForLess carries.

By Guest Blogger Diane, from the blog Charmingly Creative.

This adorable paper turkey would look great on your table for Thanksgiving, or used to make a card to show someone you care.

Tools and Materials

• 8 ½” x 11″  cardstock in a variety of Fall colors
• Craft knife
• Scoring board or cutting mat
• Hot-glue gun and hot-glue sticks
• Double-sided tape
• Fiskars Punch – 2″ circle
• EK Success Paper Shaper Punch – 1 ¼’ x 2″ oval
• EK Success Paper Shaper Punch – ¾” x 1 ½” oval
• EK Success Paper Shaper Punch – 2″ Scallop Circle
• EK Success Punch – Swirly leaf
• EK Success Punch – Real Estate
• Marvy Uchida Punch – Star
• Martha Stewart Medium Punch -  Heart
• Darice Eyes Printed Moveable 15mm

1. Cut two brown pieces of cardstock 1½” x 11″ to create 2 strips.

2. Lay strip on score board or cutting mat, with length perpendicular to score lines.  Score paper every 1/2″. Repeat for second strip. Accordion fold strips.

3. Place a piece of double-sided tape on each edge of one of the accordion-folded strips. Tape one strip to another, end to end, lining up design. Flatten out resulting tube, forming a circular medallion.

4. Add a dab of hot glue to center of medallion to secure in place; hold while glue cools.

5. For tail feathers punch eight 2″ ovals and eight 1½” ovals in a variety of colors.  Glue smaller ovals to upper center of larger ones. For Turkey body punch one brown 2″ circle for head a 2″ scallop circle for body and two 1 ½” ovals for wings.

6. For Turkey legs punch two yellow legs using Real Estate punch and two yellow stars for feet.   To create beak punch one orange heart fold pointed side in half and trim off excess.  Punch three red pieces using swirly leaf for top of head and under beak.

7. Assembly ovals behind medallion and glue in place.  Glue brown head circle to brown scallop body, add two small ovals under head for wings.  Attach eyes, beak, red pieces, legs and feet.  Attach completed Turkey to front of medallion.

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

The holidays are full of traditions that lend themselves to the perfect pictures. When our son was growing up we would travel to family members houses for the holidays and most of the time was spent on the road to get there. My husband and I both wanted our son to have holiday memories of being home, too, so we began the tradition of having our own Thanksgiving meal the weekend after the holiday. As our son grew up, he began to cook the meal with us using the recipes my husband had handed down to him and that is part of the inspiration for this layout. In the pocket are copies of those recipes that our son will be able to use in years to come. This holiday season, let the traditions your family has be an inspiration to you, too.

Supplies used:

• Tan Cardstock
• K & Company Halloween and Fall Paper Pad
• Inkadinkado Clear Mini Stamps-Borders
• Vintage Photo Distress Ink
• Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink
• Martha Stewart Pumpkin Patch Border Punch
• Alphabet Stamps
• Stamp Block
• Paint Brush
• Score Board
• Paper Trimmer
• Favorite Tape Runner

The first thing to do is to print several photos that you would like to use for your layout that show your family traditions. Also, make copies of the things that you would like to include in the pocket of your layout. Here I used copies of the recipes that we use for our meal.

Cut a piece of tan cardstock that is big enough to hold your copies making sure to add ½” to each side and the bottom. The pocket I made is 5″ wide by 5″ long so the paper I cut was 6″ by 5 ½”. Next, score ½” on each side and the bottom and trim the little square that is created by the score lines from the bottom of the paper up to the score line so that it can be folded in. Fold the sides in and the bottom up adhering where they meet at the bottom.

Punch the top using the Pumpkin Patch border punch. Trim the pumpkins off that are on the folded pieces. I left the ones that were right at the edge of the folds and made a slight cut at the base of them so that they stayed attached, but did not fold them over when I folded the side pieces in to create the pocket. Attach the pocket onto your layout using your favorite tape runner. Stamp the leaves and the name of your layout onto the pocket.

Using the paint brush, run it across the Spiced Marmalade ink pad and then across the pumpkins from bottom to top to add some color.

I stamped some leaves on the corners of the recipe copies to help tie them to the layout and I placed them into the pocket.

There are many straight lines in this layout and I wanted to add some fun so I cut around my photos to give them different shapes. Here I used my paper trimmer and trimmed the corners. You can use dies from your die cut machine, templates or even a corner rounder to just round the corners, too. There are many ways to give your ordinary rectangular photos a new and fun look. Lastly, adhere your photos to your layout and enjoy your new completed project.

This holiday season be sure to capture those family traditions and save the mementos to scrap those memories.

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

During the holidays we all are pressed for time and often the one thing we don’t get done are cards for the holiday. This year, don’t let that be the case. You can create this beautiful card in a short amount of time and place it on your Thanksgiving table to mark your guests’ spots and after the meal is done they can take it with them and have a card to remember the fun of the holiday.

Supplies Used:

• Green Cardstock
• K & Company 12x 12 Halloween and Fall Paper Pad
• Black Soot Distress Ink
• Large Leaf Punch
• Inkadinkado Mini Stamps-Borders
• Inkadinkado Mini Stamps-Expressions
• Acrylic Stamp Block
• Favorite Adhesive Tape Runner
• Packaging Tape

Start by cutting a 6″ x 5″ piece of green cardstock and folding it in half. Next, take the leaf punch and punch through both the front and back sides of the paper. This will allow the pattern of your card to be enjoyed from both sides of the table.

Place the Border Mini Stamps on the acrylic block and tape of the sections that you do not want to stamp with the packaging tape. I suggest packaging tape because of its larger size that will cover a larger area of the stamp. Ink the section of the stamp that is not covered. Once it has been inked remove the tape to avoid ink being transferred where you do not want it on your project. This technique is often referred to as “masking” or “stamp masking”. If you would like your pattern on both sides you can repeat the masking steps for the back side, too.

Now trim 2 pieces of 4 ½” x 5″ gourd patterned paper from the Halloween and Fall Paper Pad and adhere that using your favorite tape runner to the insides of your piece of cardstock, making sure to line up some of the design to show through the punched leaf area. After you have done that, cut a piece of the green cardstock to 9 ½” x 5″ and fold it in half. Then, adhere that to the inside of the card to cover the blank side of the patterned paper. On the inside of the card, stamp the Thanksgiving sentiment using the Black Soot Ink and Expressions Mini Stamp on the acrylic block.

You now have a place card for your table that your family member can take home to enjoy. If you will be needing a lot of them, take a night before the holiday and cut out all of the pieces you will be needing and quickly stamp and put them together or invite some friends or family over ahead of time to help you make them. You will have them done in no time and will have had a lot of fun making them. Isn’t that what the holidays are all about… having a fun time with family and friends?

By DCWV Diary

Make this spooky and adorable Paper Witch Hat Centerpiece for your Halloween décor.

To make this hat use any of the DieCuts printed paper stack. I’d suggest the Haunting Paper Stack! Such a great Halloween stack…pretty much love every print in this stack and LOVE the classic colors.

I started with a Styrofoam cone. They make all different sizes so you could really make your hat any size.

I covered the cone with two pieces of 12×12 paper and positioned the top piece so it hung over the top a little bit. That’s what I squeezed together and glued down to make the hanging part of the top of the hat. Then I wrapped another print around the front. I hand cut the brim of the hat and glued two pieces back to back so there is another print on the bottom of the hat.

Then I just embellished the hat with some paper strips, tulle and Halloween Stickers. I think this will look darling in the middle of my kitchen table. So easy and after you have the Styrofoam cone, you probably have everything else you need! Love it when there are projects like that!

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

Many years ago, I had rescued a poor little purple mum from the store. It hadn’t been water and was already half dead, but I purchased it on clearance for $2 and brought it home anyways and planted it. I babied that plant and watched it grow to be a beautiful mum bush every fall. When we moved I wished I would have been able to bring it with me, but we moved in the middle of winter in a blizzard so there was no way of finding that mum in the snow. The first fall we lived in our new house we planted more mums, but they quickly died where we had them planted. In the fall of last year, my family planted more in a different area and this year I am again enjoying some beautiful bushes. This time, I decided to document those gorgeous flowers in this layout.

I added the accordion fold flower to it because it reminded me of the same shape of the mums and helps draw your attention to the layout. They are really easy and fun to make, too.

Supplies Used:

• K&Co 12 x 12 Fall & Halloween Paper Pad
• Score Board
• Paper Trimmer
• i-rock Tool
• Adhesive Rhinestones
• 1″ Circle Punch
• Favorite glue and adhesive

First cut 2 strips of 1 ½” wide by 12″ long strip. Score both of them in ½” increments. Fold them accordion (also known as peaks and valley) style. Glue the ends together so they overlap and the peaks and valleys when folded together match up.

Punch 2 circles and put glue on one of them to adhere the flower on. Start by grabbing the top edges and folding them in and down to the center as shown in the picture.

Once they are folded downward and the flower has been formed, place something on the center to help hold it down until the glue dries.

When it is dried place glue on the second circle and glue it to the center of the flower. You can now decorate it with anything you’d like. Here I used the Imaginisce i-rock Tool and adhesive rhinestones. Adhere to your layout using your favorite adhesive. I, also added some of the adhesive rhinestones around the corners of the pictures to add a little sparkle to those.

Do you have a favorite flower or bush in your yard? Is it something that is tied to a special memory for you such as it being planted on the day your child was born or given to you by a dear friend? Why not document it, too? Those are all a part of the special memories that you have had and should be shared with future generations. Who knows maybe that bush that they just planted is a piece of the one you owned and they will know through your scrapbook pages what it meant to you.

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

One thing I love about Halloween is being able to decorate for it.  Each year I try to add something new and different to my things.  My son and I have even had fun making our own decorations to hang in the windows.  This year I was fortunate to find several new things and thought it would be fun to start taking pictures and making them into layouts to see how much the decorating changes every year.  I decided to add to the fun by using the new Echo Park Apothecary Under Your Spell paper and Alphabet Stickers.

I started by taking pictures of the things I’ve added this year and printed them out to 4″ x 6″.  I, then, trimmed the white edges off the pictures to make them look even spookier.  I chose some Orange Bazzill Cardstock and trimmed it to be 4″ x 6″.  Next I used the Pumpkin Patch Punch by Martha Stewart  and punched the top of each piece of cardstock.  The details on this punch are fantastic and I wanted it to stand out more so I rubbed a q-tip over the Black Soot Distress Ink Pad and rubbed the ink onto the pumpkins and then turned the q-tip around, gently rubbing the ink into the grooves of the paper which also helped to remove some of the excess ink off the paper.  It not only helped to highlight the pumpkins, it gave them a shadowed look, as well.  I, then, adhered the pictures to the background pieces and onto the 12 x 12 piece of Under Your Spell paper.  I placed the patterned pumpkin from the Echo Park Apothecary Emporium Elements sheet between the 2 pictures to add some more interest to the layout.  I found that I had some of the Making Memories Toil and Trouble Foam Icons Stickers left from last year and decided that the stars would be great to add a glittery effect to the page.  I knew I was close to being done, but it still needed something more besides the title. 

Since most of my pictures showed my favorite pumpkins I realized I needed to use my newest Halloween punch which is extra special to me because I was able to help name this 1″ Lever Punch by Fiskars.  It’s called, “Laughin’ Jack.”  I used some yellow Bazzill and punched 2 faces out and adhered them to the layout using some mini Pop Dots cut in halves to fit onto the face areas.    The last thing I did was included the title using the Apothecary Alphabet Stickers and what should Halloween decorations say to those who see them? “Happy Halloween!”  of course, so that’s what I named this layout. 

Often as we decorate for the holidays we don’t think to take pictures and scrap them, but if you think about it that’s also a part of what our family memories are so the next time you snap a few pictures of the cute little costumes your children wear be sure to snap a few pictures of the decorations you have put up.  It’s all a part of the fun of the holiday!  Have a very Happy Halloween everyone!

By Guest Blogger Elias Cortez. He currently runs a site on Dallas wedding photography and Dallas wedding venues at TheDallasWeddingPhotographers.net.

Scrapbooking is something that a lot of people really do not think about doing however it is something that can be extremely important due to the fact that a scrapbook allow families to reminisce on those precious moments. Also, there are multiple ways that a scrapbook can be completed. Below you can find some of the different ways that people begin creating their scrapbooks.

• Create an online scrapbook: This way is one of the easier and newer ways to create a scrapbook. All one has to do is search the internet for scrapbook templates and then add their pictures in. However, this way is not as much fun and meaningful as some of the other ways that people go about creating scrapbooks yet still it is an option.
• Buy a premade scrapbook: What is meant by the term “premade” is you are purchasing a scrapbook that has already been set up to tell you where everything should go. Some scrapbooks will have sections for your child’s first day of school or their first hair cut. However, they may not include all of the sections that you feel are important moments for you and your family to cherish so it may be better to look at an alternative option when you are thinking of creating a scrapbook.
• Make a scrapbook from scratch: This is one of the more fun ways that you and your family can start your beautiful scrapbook. You will just have to go to the arts and crafts section in the store of your choice and get paper and other decorating materials. This way your scrapbook will have meaning behind it from the beginning to the end and you can make sure that you can fit all of the precious moments in it that you will never want to forget.

How to Create the Actual Scrapbook

1. Once you figure out what type of scrapbook you want to use (internet, store bought or homemade) you can then start deciding what should go in the scrapbook. Since this is a family scrapbook you may want to have events that the family attended together and also if small children you will want to include milestones from their childhood.

2. After you have gathered all of the photos that you want to put into the scrapbook then it is time to decorate the pages to fit the theme of the picture so you will be able to remember the moment vividly every time you look through the scrapbook. The children may be able to do the decorating of the pages while the adults are the ones who put in the pictures and things of that nature.

3. After the pages have been decorated and the pictures have been put in think about whether or not you would like to have the different awards that have been achieved in the scrapbook as well. Also, it would not hurt to write in some things to help the moments be remembered also.

After you have followed those first three steps you will have a good head start on your scrapbook. The next thing you will have to just go with the flow and see where your imaginations take you and your scrapbook will just fall into place piece by piece.

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

Fall is almost here and I can’t wait! I have actually been counting the days until it arrives. It is one of two of my most favorite seasons. Every year my family looks forward to taking a trip to one of our state parks to enjoy the gorgeous leaves. The pictures in this layout were of an exceptionally beautiful fall we had a few years ago. When I found the new Bo Bunny Forever Fall line of papers and rub-ons at CreateForLess I couldn’t resist printing up some of the photos I took that year to create this layout.

Supplies used:

• Bo Bunny Forever Fall –Foliage
• Bo Bunny Forever Fall Rub-ons
• Paper Accents Cardstock Variety Pack - Paprika and Olive
• Fiskars Fall Gatherings Border Punch
• Spellbinders Labels Four
• Light Brown Colored Cardstock
• Favorite Adhesive

This is a simple layout that anyone can create to showcase the fabulous pictures of fall you may have. I printed the pictures at 4″ x 6″ and using a paper trimmer I trimmed off the white edges which left me with an overall photo size of 5″ x 3 ¾”. I cut 2- 6 ½” x 4 ¾” pieces from the Paprika and Olive papers and cut 2 more of the same size from the light brown cardstock.

Using the Fall Gatherings Border Punch I punched the design into the top of the Paprika and Olive papers making sure to save the little pieces that were punched out by laying them aside to use later. I then adhered the papers to each of the light brown pieces. Next, I attached the pictures to them and then to the page. I chose to add interest to it and pictures by placing one straight up and down and the other at a small angle. Glue some of the punched out pieces that you kept to each of the corners to add a fun little decoration. The last step is to run a piece of the paprika and olive pieces through your die cut machine using the Spellbinders Labels Four dies in 2 different sizes to create the title background. Place the Forever Fall Rub-on onto the smaller piece and rub it using the included craft stick until it transfers completely to the paper. A good way to know when it has transferred is that the clear sheet that the rub-on is adhered to will have a frosted color to it. If you lift it up and it hasn’t transferred all the way just carefully lay it down again matching up the areas and rub it again. Adhere the two sizes of cardstock together and then on the layout. Once you have finished, you will have a scrapbook page that showcases some of your fall pictures that you can enjoy for years to come.

Now that fall has arrived and we’ve gotten to enjoy the beautiful colors, crisp cool air and this layout I will begin my count again and count the days until my next favorite season arrives-winter!

By Recycled Crafts Contributor, Anitra from the blog “Coffee Pot People”.

Day after day, it’s the same thing: Walk to the mailbox, carry in the junk mail, bills, and bank statements, go through it, and then figure out what to do with all that extra paper. I won’t send it to the dump, and even recycling it bothers me somewhat, as it still has to be processed, but recently an acquaintance showed me a great way to use the windowed business envelopes so much mail arrives in. She uses them to create windowed album pages!

Here’s what you need:

• Carefully opened out envelopes with plastic windows
• Paints and brushes
• Embellishments (optional)

This is so simple, I could tell it in two or three sentences, so I will: Protect your work surface. Paint one side of each envelope, and let dry. Turn them over, and paint the other side.

That’s pretty much it, but you can get more creative than that, and add to the fun so try:

• Dribbling two or more colors of paint on an envelope and brushing them together to create a mottled, streaked, look.
• Lay a paper doily over an already-painted spot and paint over it with another color, then remove the doily. It will make a sort of “shadow” doily.
• Tear pages of a book (foreign language is nice) and lay in the paint, which will stick them down. Brush lightly to disguise the edges.
• Add strips of lace, stickers, or illustrations, and paint over them, either lightly or completely.

Don’t worry if you get paint on the plastic windows. If there’s too much, you can wipe some off, but a bit of streaking around the outer edges adds a bit of mystery and charm.

One thing the photos don’t show is the lovely, crackly texture and sound of these windowed pages. I just love handling them.

You can use these in your scrapbooking to give a “preview” of what’s going to be on the next page. Your photos will almost surely be larger than the window, and that’s good. First a peek of part of the picture, then the page turns, and you see the rest.

I used my first set for an art project, a Chunky House, with multiple pages. Here are the “windows at work”:

Turning another page, you see:

These were so much fun to make and use, I’ve been frustrated by the last two days’ mail—What?! Only one envelope with a window? Drat. Maybe tomorrow….

By the way, if you’d like to do something like my art project, I used illustrations from an old magazine, lace, ribbon, silk flowers, and embellishments from Tim Holtz and K & Company, two lines I have completely fallen in love with.

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

I love bows and really wanted bow magnets for my fridge but couldn’t find any that I liked. After coming across red gingham paper, I knew I really wanted to make something out of it and thought the bows would be a perfect choice. They’re really easy to make and are especially great for those who have a fondness for bows or want a girly touch in their kitchen.

What you need:

• Scrapbook paper
• Magnet sheet
• Glitter glue or glitter & glue
• Scissors and box-cutter
• Pencil

Step 1. Either by hand or using a template, draw a bow on the back of your scrapbook paper – draw lightly so it doesn’t show through sections of white in the paper. There are several versions of bows to draw, but the easiest type for this project is the solid bow, with or without the ribbon ends hanging down. If it doesn’t come out exactly right, don’t worry because you can always trim it later on.

Step 2. Carefully cut the bow out, paying special attention to the detail around the knot of the bow and around the ribbon ends that are hanging down.

Step 3. Peel the backing off the magnet sheet and stick the bow on with the pattern side facing up. There’s no glue necessary – magnet sheets typically have adhesive on them. Cut the bow out – scissors are easy, but using a box-cutter may be better for some.

Step 4. Trim the bow to even it out and smooth out any rough edges. Use a box-cutter to create sharp details, especially around the ends of a ribbon and at the bottom and top of the bow knot.

Step 5. Use matching glitter glue to create the center knot of the bow. Another option is to use regular glue and glitter. Pile on the glitter glue so it creates a small bump. Considering the thickness of the bump, it’s going to take awhile for it to dry. Let it dry flat rather than hanging it on the fridge to dry.

By DCWV Diary

Time is such a crazy thing! I feel like I was just posting about having a new Kindergartener! And now, he is a 1st grader! I have to admit, I have mixed emotions. I hate that my baby is growing up. But I am SO happy to have a break from school and strict routine! I think I have a new appreciate for SUMMER now that I have a child in school.

Recently we had Art’s Night at the Elementary school. Each of the children either make a piece of art or preform a visual art piece. Of course, my little guy wanted to use scrapbook paper and punches, lol. What a kid. He loves his punches!!

This is what he created…

I love it! He drew the picture of the frog and then punched out pieces of scrap paper and filled the image in. When he was finished, I went over his pencil lines with a permanent marker. He added the googly eyes and signed his name! I was so impressed with how it turned out!

This could be done with any kind of image! It is for sure going on his wall in his room. I love finding great ways to use scraps up and this is for sure one of them.

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

I always try to find ways to reuse the cardboard boxes from food products, so when I needed to make a new notebook, it gave me a chance to use a box from macaroni along with some leftover scrapbook paper and notebook paper.

What you’ll need:

• Empty and clean cardboard food box
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Scrapbook paper
• Notebook paper
• Mod Podge for paper
• Embellishment
• Piece of ribbon

Step 1. Cut out one large side from the cardboard food box.

Step 2. On the piece of cardboard, use a ruler to make marks indicating the size of the notebook you want. You’ll need two sides, and in between them, a connected thin section for the binding; the size of the binding should be as thick as the stack of notebook paper. Cut the shape out, then on the unprinted side of the cardboard, make pencil marks indicating where the binding will be.

Step 3. Put Mod Podge on the printed side of cardboard, then adhere your scrapbook paper. Trim the paper to the size of the piece, then smooth it down, especially around the binding.

Step 4. Slowly and carefully, bend the cardboard on the lines to form the two sides of the notebook and the section of binding.

Step 5. Put Mod Podge on the inside of the binding, then place the side of the stack of notebook paper. To make sure the paper adheres to the binding, close the sides of the notebook around the stack of paper and hold it closed. While you press the stack of paper into the binding with one hand, push down on the outside of the binding with your other hand.

Step 6. Cut a white circle from the underside of the leftover scrapbook paper and adhere it to the top center of the notebook.

Step 7. Glue an embellishment on top of the circle.

Step 8. Make a bow out of a piece of ribbon, then attach it above the circle.

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

I absolutely love bright color party decorations – they always seem to fill the room with even more energy. I usually like to make them myself so I can customize them and it’s typically a lot cheaper than buying them.

I found some extra neon paper and took the opportunity to make some large, bright decorations that I can use for an upcoming party. They definitely brighten up the room.

What you’ll need:

Neon paper
Mod Podge for paper
Two large paperclips
Wide ribbon
White scalloped edge circle
Embellishment
Heavy book

Step 1: Choose four different color neon papers and with the short side facing you, fold each one as if you were making a paper fan. Each fold should be slightly less than an inch wide.

Step 2. Take each folded paper, pinch it in the middle and fold it in half so you create a smaller version of a fan; use the Mod Podge to adhere both halves together. To give it enough time to dry correctly, place each one under a heavy book.

Step 3. When all four are finished, glue them together side-by-side, then while they’re folded (similar to a flattened accordion), put it under the heavy book for an hour so it can dry properly.

Step 4. After it dries, slowly open it up and pull either end toward each other until they come together and the four fans form a circle. Paperclip it closed in the back. This gives you the ability to fold it back up after you’re done using it so it stores without getting ruined or taking up too much space.

Step 5. Adhere a white scalloped edge circle over the center where the four points of the fans meet. Attach an embellishment on top of it.

Step 6. Cut a long piece of wide ribbon and glue both ends on either side of one of the folds on the back – choose any fold except for the main one so you can still close the decoration up to put it away without having to remove the ribbon.

By Recycled Crafts Contributor, Anitra from the blog “Coffee Pot People”.

Rosettes are all over the place right now, and no wonder—they’re so pretty! Useful, too, on clothing, cards, hats, jewelry, home decor—wherever you want a striking, and somewhat three-dimensional decoration.

I’ve been playing with the paper variety lately, and have come up with a way to make them that I think is pretty easy.

To make your own, you’ll need:

• Pretty paper, with a bit of body to it—scrapbooking paper, music sheets, heavy magazine pages, etc.
• A sturdy needle and thread
• A sewing machine, or other piercing instrument, such as a push pin
• Decorative “toppings”

Start by cutting a strip of the paper you’ve chosen. It should be half as wide and at least four times as long as the diameter rosette you want to make. The longer you make your strip of paper, the more “ruffle” will be left at the outer edge of the rosette.

Now, at first, when I tried making these, I just sat and pleated the strip of paper, and then joined the ends of the paper, and it did work, but the paper was so like a spring, it kept leaping from my fingers, and sproinging itself into unwanted shapes! So I did this:

You can see two rows of punches along the edges. I ran the strip through the sewing machine, without thread. The more closely spaced set of holes is what the machine did on the longest stitch length, but that seemed too small a spacing. On the other set, I put the machine on the longest length stitch, and the widest zigzag it would do, and then fed the paper through, letting the needle go through the paper only on one side of the zigzag, which worked nicely.

A sewing machine is quick and easy, but if you don’t have one, use a push pin. Laying the strip alongside a ruler, or on graph paper, will help you get even spacing.

The next step was to take a nice big needle and, using good strong thread, do a running stitch through the punched holes:

As you can see, the paper begins to pleat itself as the needle goes through. Squish the pleats together while they’re still on the needle, and then slide the paper off, doing that until you’ve reached the end of the strip. If you wait to do the pleating until afterwards, it will be harder to get the folds exactly the same width.

Now, carefully pull the thread tight, until the ends of the pleated paper meet each other, putting the needle through at least the first several holes again. I went all the way around again, just for the added strength:

Surprisingly, I found it wasn’t necessary to glue the ends of the paper together, but you may want to.

Secure your rosette by taking several stitches across the center in two or three directions, slipping the needle under the thread going through the paper.

Turn the rosette over, and top with your adornment of choice:

Want to play some more? Vary the width of your paper strip. Here you see what happens when your strip is scalloped on one edge, and an oval (egg!) shape made by using a strip that is twice as wide in the middle as it is on the ends:

It’s Spring! What will you find to use your colorful embellishments on?