Want a chance to win 2 tickets to the last Creative Escape Weekend from Bazzill Basics?? All you have to do is answer one question correctly ~ easy enough...

In one of the blog posts at www.creativeescapeaz.com you will read the sentence, "Everyone who has tried out the classes have given ______ reviews." Fill in the blank with the missing word ~ it's that easy!!

Send an email to Melissa@bazzillbasics.com with the word ENTER TO WIN in the subject line and include the missing word. Everyone with the correct answer will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win two FREE registrations to Creative Escape (travel and hotel are not included and prize has no cash value). Winner will be selected on June 20, 2011.

We have a winner!!

Lesa wrote, "Seriously??? I could win this paper??? That would be so cool cuz where I live, It won't be around here in a dog's age!! Thanks for the chance!!! Love me some Bazzill!!!"

Seriously Lesa, you are the winner!! Congratulations!! Please email Tamara at thanes@allamericancrafts.com with your mailing details to get your prize!!

Keep checking back for more great ideas and chances to win from Scrapbooking & Beyond and Paper Creations magazines!!

Hello! I’m Lisa Brennan from Bazzill Basics Paper, here to share information about our new line of premium cardstock (drum roll please!)

….


Bazzill is adding a line of colorful, textured paper for artists who like tearing, embossing, distressing, inking, or sanding to create a unique, one-of-a-kind look.



Each sheet of 12x12, premium cardstock has a delicious sounding name, but offers the convenience of crafting with two yummy colors all scooped into one paper. Some of the mouth-watering flavors include:

Strawberry Cheesecake
Tutti Fruitti
Orange Sorbet
Irish Mint
Mountain Blackberry
Tin Roof
S’mores
Rocky Road
Cookies and Cream and more!



Each sheet can be used as is - or the second flavor (shown along the strip with the bar code) can be revealed creating a decadent color combination. Try ripping or sanding and watch for the fabulous results.





We’ve even added a choice of “sprinkles” on top. There are three simple, embossed textures to choose from, so pick your favorite: Dots, Flowers, or Cathedral Window.





Do you want to sample any of our 32 flavors? Be sure to leave your comments by Monday May 9th, for a chance to win three sheets of every color in the Two Scoops line!!! Good Luck!!


And one more thing….
Help Stephen say THANK YOU to U.S. troops overseas
Donations are being accepted from anyone who would like to create handmade thank you cards on Stephen’s behalf. For every five cards sent to Bazzill, the maker will be entered into a drawing to win two FREE tickets to the last Creative Escape 2011...the ultimate scrapbook indulgence (travel and accommodations, not included).
Cards must be received by July 1, 2011. Go to www.creativeescapeaz.com to download and fill out the entry form and mail it along with the cards to: Stephen’s Thank You Card Project/Bazzill Basics Paper, 7001 W. Erie St., Ste. 2, Chandler, AZ 85226

We have a winner!!

Congratulations goes out Carolyn Bosley who will receive a basket of goodies from Ranger!! Please email me with your details so that you can get started with your shrinky charms!! Thanks from Tamara and the rest of our staff!! thanes@allamericancrafts.com

Hi, Everyone. I’m Patti Behan, Ranger’s Marketing Coordinator. I’m excited to share my favorite Ranger product of the moment with you….our New Inkssentials Shrink Plastic.
You can do so many fun things with it! One of the things I love most of all is its thickness when it shrinks, it’s really durable for jewelry making. You can make charms and custom embellishments. What’s really cool is that you can even die cut letters for titles on scrapbook pages and sentiments on cards. Here is a charming project where I did just that.

Here are some additional tips when using our Shrink Plastic:
• The pieces will shrink about 45% from original size and to 1/16” thick
• You can shrink them with a Heat Tool on an Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet or bake on a non-stick surface in a regular oven or toaster oven at 300-350 degrees for several minutes
• Stamp on it with Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink or Adirondack Pigment Ink
• Color with Adirondack Pigment Pens or Alcohol ink
• Paint sanded and shrunken pieces with Claudine Hellmuth Studio Acrylic Paints or Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers

Need some more ideas? Check out these other Shrink Plastic projects on Ranger’s Website to jumpstart your creativity. Be sure to leave your comments by March 21st for a chance to win a prize package of Ranger goodies!! Contest winner we will announced March 22nd, so watch this space!


http://www.rangerink.com/projects/cards/projects_cards_shrinkPlasticButterfly.htm
http://www.rangerink.com/projects/jewelry/projects_jewelry_keychainWin2011MITI.htm



Inkssentials Shrink Plastic Thank You Card
Created by: Patti Behan

Materials List:
Ranger:
• Inkssentials™ Surfaces Shrink Plastic
• Archival Ink™ Pad -Jet Black
• Tim Holtz® Adirondack® Alcohol Ink-Red Pepper and Cranberry
• Inkssentials™ Alcohol Ink Blending Tool and Felt
• Inkssentials™ Non-Stick Craft Sheet™
• Inkssentials™ Heat it Craft Tool™
• Inkssentials™ Pop It Shapes-Circles
• Inkssentials™ Wonder Tape
• Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi-Medium-Matte
Tim Holtz® idea-ology®:
• Lace Chain
• Sanding Grip
Core’dinations Distress Cardstock-Fired Brick, Black Soot and Antique Linen
Jenni Bowlin Red/Black Line Extension III - Petite Red Floral paper
Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 Stamps by Stampers Anonymous Art Colors Life stamp set
Prima Clementine Bella flower
Provocraft
• Cricut Expression Machine
• Gypsy
• Mini Monograms Cartridge
Sizzix®
• Tim Holtz® Alterations™ Stylized Label Bigz Die
• Heart Die
Hole punch

Instructions:

1. Cut an 8-1/2” x 5-1/2” rectangle from Fired Brick cardstock. Fold in half to create a 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” card.
2. Cut a 4” x 5-1/4” rectangle from Black Soot cardstock and glue to the center of card.
3. Cut a 3-3/4” x 5” rectangle from Petite Red Floral paper and glue to center of black cardstock.
4. Diecut Stylized Labed from Antique Linen Paper. Sand diecut and ink edges with Jet Black Archival Ink by swiping the pad along the edge. Glue to the center of the card.
5. Cut a 2-1/2” diameter circle from Black Soot cardstock using Mini Monograms cartridge and Expression machine. Attach the circle to the center of the label using Pop It Shapes.
6. Cut “THANK YOU” out of shrink plastic using Mini Monograms cartridge (Note: Use Gypsy to size letters so they are 5/8” in height and put the multi-cut setting on 3.)
7. Working on the Non-Stick Craft Sheet, use Heat It Craft Tool to shrink plastic.
8. Color shrunken letters with Red Pepper and Cranberry Alcohol Ink. Let dry. Glue letters onto label with Multi-Medium.
9. Cut 1-1/2” heart out of Shrink Plastic Using Sizzix Heart Die and Big Shot Machine. Punch a hole in the top center of the heart. Stamp flowers onto heart using Jet Black Archival ink. Shrink with Heat it tool. Color opposite side of heart with Red Pepper and Cranberry Alcohol Ink.
10. Cut a small piece of chain and attach to Prima flower and heart charm with jump rings.
11. Attach flower to card with Wonder Tape.

Retro Birthday Greetings

Designed by Deborah March




Whether 1950 or 2011, a woman's work is never done! Only the appliances have changed it seems. The collection of retro cards featured here puts a humorous, yet contemporary spin on a real blast from the past. So dig out those rickrack aprons and "bobby pins" and bake yourself a batch of cards to give to anyone who loves to cook or can remember the way mom's kitchen looked. We've come a long way, baby!







Materials (for all)
Cardstock in aqua, coral, gold, light blue, and white
Crafty Secrets
• Pastel Paper Pad in blue print
• Creative Scraps Domestic Goddess vintage images
• Stamp in Butterfly

Ink pad in black
Ellison Sizzix
• Die Cut Machine
• Cuttlebug Embossing Folder in Buttons,
Flourish Farm, and Medallion
Spellbinders Nestabilities in Scalloped Rectangles
1/8"-wide Satin ribbon in blue and yellow
3/4"-wide lace in white
Flat-backed pearls in large (2) and small (2)
Small eyelets in white, four
7/8"-dia. clay flowers in pink, two
7/8"-dia. paper flowers in blue, two
1/4"-dia. buttons in white, two
Eyelet setter tool
Krylon
• Gold Leafing Pen in 18Kt.
• Matte Finish Spray

Duncan
• Aleene's Crystal Clear Tacky Spray
• Aleene's Original Tacky Glue
• Aleene's Paper Glaze
• Tulip Glam it Up! Iron On Crystals in blue (4),
clear (4), and yellow (5)
• Tulip Fashion Glitter Bond
• Tulip Fashion Glitter in Blue, Clear, and Gold
Foam dots
Double-sided adhesive
Computer, printer, scissors, ruler, pencil


Inspiration
Refer to project photos for inspiration to recreate your own retro cards. Use coral or white cardstock for card bases. Choose vintage image of choice and print out onto white cardstock. Then, accent edges with Gold Leafing Pen or Glitter Bond and glitter in color of choice. Use foam dots to adhere matted image onto coral or aqua cardstock with a 1/8" straight or scalloped border. Computer print sentiments onto white cardstock and cut into strips as shown. Dry emboss blue, coral, and white cardstock as shown or as desired. Arrange cut cardstock rectangles, vintage image, and embellishments onto card front as shown or as desired, referring to project photo of finished cards.

Spring Bonus

For many of us living in cold climates, it's been a long and very bitter winter. But the snow is melting, and spring is just around the corner. So, we decided to feature a special springtime collection of cards to herald the early arrival of blue skies and warmer weather. Bravo is the first of 8 that we will present to you here!

Enjoy!



Bravo
Designed by Michele Boyer

The graceful curve of this ballerina’s dress was stamped several times, then colored and layered for maximum effect, adding both dimension and sweet appeal.

Materials
Prism Cardstock in Crabapple Light
My Favorite Things
• Cardstock in White
• Jolinne Collection Stamp Set – Sweet Spring
Memory Box Gossamer Collection Patterned paper in dark pink pint, dark pink with white polka dot, green print, and light pink print
Tsukineko Memento Ink pad in Tuxedo Black
Copic Markers Sketch Markers
Ribbon in 3/8"-wide satin pink and 5/8"-wide white
Mini paper clip
Creative Memories Circle Cutting System
Foam dots
Double-sided adhesive
Scissors, ruler, pencil, sewing machine,
white sewing thread

Instructions
1.Cut one 5-1/2" x 11" rectangle from Crabapple Light cardstock, one 5-1/2" square from dark pink print patterned paper, one 5-1/4" square from green print patterned paper, and one 3-1/4" square from light pink print patterned paper. Use Circle Cutting System to cut one 43/4"-dia. circle from dark pink with white polka dot patterned paper. Turn Crabapple Light rectangle horizontally, score a vertical line down the center, and fold in half.
2.Adhere dark pink with white polka dot circle onto upper left side of green print square. Machine straight-stitch around inside perimeter of dark pink circle. Adhere light pink print square onto bottom right side of green print square as shown, then machine zigzag-stitch around outside perimeter of light pink square.

3.Use Tuxedo Black ink pad to stamp girl, girl’s accent pieces (including dress, shoes, dress band, and flower in hair), bunny, bunny pieces (including dress and dress band) and sentiment (“Bravo!” used here) onto White cardstock. Use Sketch Markers to color images as shown or as desired. Fussy-cut girl, girl’s accent pieces, bunny, and bunny pieces and cut sentiment into one 7/8" x 1" rectangle. Layer and adhere girl accent pieces onto girl and bunny accent pieces onto bunny. Use foam dots to adhere girl image onto left side and bunny onto bottom right side of light pink square, referring to project phto for placement. Use foam dots to adhere additional layers of girl’s dress onto girl as shown. Secure mini paper clip onto White sentiment block and adhere onto upper right side of light pink square.

4.Measure 1/2" in from left side and vertically wrap one 6" length of white ribbon around green print square. Repeat with 6" length of pink ribbon on top of white ribbon as shown. Cut one 7" length from pink ribbon and tie ends into a bow, trimming ends evenly. Measure 1-1/2" down from top edge and adhere onto ribbon as shown. Use foam dots to adhere assembled green print square onto dark pink square. With fold at top, center and adhere assembled dark pink square onto card front.

5.Use Tuxedo Black ink pad to stamp the words “Take a Bow” inside card.

Handmade Valentines

As I continue to gather my notes and organize my photos from CHA, I thought I'd share with you the handmade valentines my son and I are going to create for his Kindergarden class. I found this vintage valentine online.
















I thought it would be super cute to fill a sandwich bag with popcorn and use that vintage image to create a bag topper adding "love from Wyatt" or something like that to personalize it. It would look kind of like this - just on a smaller scale.















I'd love to hear some of your handmade valentine ideas.

Home At Last

What was suppose to be a 4 day trip, ended up being 6 days - mostly due to the weather making it impossible to fly home. BUT having an additional day on the trade show floor and another day touring a little bit of California presented me with many more items to share with you. Once I get my notes organized, I'll be posting information about all the goodies I found at CHA and I can't WAIT to tell you about them. So stay tuned . . .

Ever do something sometimes and think “oh wait I should have done . . .” and then its too late! There is no turning back, it is what it is! Well after I finalized my tinyprints order Friday, I didn’t feel that way, but with the follow up phone calls/emails if I had felt that way I would have had plenty of opportunity to fix something I would have wanted changed. By Friday evening I received not only a phone call but a follow up email about my order. I was given some advice on using different wording for my postcards and was informed that the image I sent wasn’t clear. I was so impressed by the response of customer service, it was really nice to hear a voice on the other end of the phone. After we went back and forth, I was sent another email where I had to ok the changes on each card (for front and back) before the order was to be processed. That was Tuesday, by Friday I received my box of goodies!





Look at these party invitations! My son was so excited! He’s been planning his birthday party since we had his sisters 2nd birthday this past summer. His Star Wars theme is going to be equipped with Yoda Sodas, Death Star pizzas, and Jedi training! I’m so glad we found these invitations, it made this part (and the thank you part) of the party planning process less stressful.



With the post cards and ornaments, I embellished a plain brown gift bag with the postcards, tied the handles with yarn, and topped it off with the ornament cards! Oh I only wished I had a gift for myself to wrap it in this unique bag!
(Photos on the postcard and photo ornament by Sara McManus Photography - www.saramcmanusphotography.com)

Anybody on facebook notice the ads on the right hand side? I keep finding myself clicking on the Tiny Prints ad and going to their site to check out their adorable cards. Guess what? I was recently given the opportunity to create cards from their website and I couldn’t be more excited!

I took about an hour (a very enjoyable hour I might add) to look through all of their products, from photo cards (worthy of framing), greeting cards (for any occasion imaginable), photo gifts, Pop up and flip greeting cards (so unique), holiday coloring cards, holiday newsletter inserts and even personalized birthday cards. While looking around you can click on the little folder to the bottom right of each card and add it to "My Picks". It will be placed in a tray along the bottom of your page so you can compare your favorites to one another. The ideas are endless, and this is what I created.

Every year I give my loved ones handmade ornaments with photos of my kids on them to adorn the top of their presents. Each one of my family and friends look forward to receiving them year after year. Can you believe Tiny Prints makes photo ornaments? I had a hard time deciding which one, and decided on this one. (Note that this card was designed by Kate Beckinsale for the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation.)

It took me all of 5 minutes, between uploading, personalizing and checking out. Don’t get me wrong, its not that I don’t enjoy putting the time into creating ornaments every year, but this really did take away some unnecessary stress this holiday season. What I also chose to do was create a collage postcard to embellish brown gift bags. What a perfect way to further personalized my gifts along with the ornament cards on top. This was the template that I used.



Next I created birthday invitations with matching thank you notes for my son’s 6th birthday party. His theme is star wars and sure enough tiny prints had a layout that was perfect for me to use.



One thing I wished I had ordered were their photo birthday cards. Why look for the perfect card for each and every person on your birthday list. Give them a one of a kind card fully equipped with your photos and personalized sentiment inside. Have 30 birthdays you celebrate a year? Buy 30 of these cards and BAM – your birthday card list is complete. – I LOVE how you can even personalize the back with sweet words and a small photo. Oh well, next time I'm adding those to my shopping cart.


















Look for my next post where I’ll be showing off my personalized goodies and what I did with them!

Happy Turkey Day

We want to wish you and yours a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.
Here are some coloring pages to keep the little ones occupied at the kiddie table and some additional turkey day fun. We can't wait to see what this holiday inspires you on your next card making or scrapbook project!

What inspires you?

So I'm trying to figure out what inspires fellow scrappers to to scrap the pages they do. Is it a particular photo you have, the season, a title name, a new paper line you found at the store, or seeing another layout? I think whatever way you organize your thoughts prior to scrapbooking tells alot through the page you create. For example if you are driven by a particular photo, it will take center stage on your page and you may tend to spend more time on the photo than on any other part of the page. Yes? No? I was inspired by a title called "Death by Candycorn" and I immediately thought of a photo I took of my kids with candycorn teeth! Here is a photo of the page I came up with! What does this layout say for my inspiration? I'd like to know what inspires you - make sure to leave your commments here.

THIS WEDNESDAY: Catch the debut of the LIVE, call-in, internet radio show, CREATIVE MOJO with MARK LIPINSKI, at 2:00-4:00 pm central on www.toginet.com. IT'S FREE!! First guest - Eric Maisel author of Coaching the Artist Within and Fearless Creating!

Scrapbooking & Beyond Fall 2010 issue

This issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond features a basketful of great Fall layouts, albums, and ideas. If you're sending kids back to college or have family members or friends living in distant parts of the country, you might want to check out "Postcards from Home." For those of you who are travel savvy (or who would like to be), our collection of Destination layouts offers some super ideas on preserving your vacation memories. There's even a special Travel Tin project (perfect for storing your photos), and several album ideas. Pick up the latest issue today!

Rainy Day Activity

Ok, so it didn't rain today. I was really hoping it would because I promised my son and niece a fun little art project. So we pretended. Here is a picture my niece drew












I pinned it to a doubled piece of off-white fabric and sewed around the outside edges (the picture here is actually my son's drawing). Then turned it right side out and had the kids stuff them. Then added clothes and in my sons case a collar (since he felt when all was said and done the doll he drew looked more like a dog) and there you have it!



Two proud kiddos! Ok so what does this have to do with scrapbooking? Nothing really. But this picture would make for a cute card :)!

Scrapbooking & Beyond Facebook Layout Challenge

OK FANS, we want to see your style. Email us a picture of your favorite
layout, 12" x 12", 8" x 8", 4" x 6", it doesn't matter, as long as you love it! Themes to choose from are The Great Outdoors, School Days and Halloween-we will feature a few favorites in the Fall 2010 issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond and the winner will receive a beautiful prize package from GCD Studios filled with the wonderful Artsy Urban collection designed by Melody Ross. It includes 48 12" x 12" papers and nine embellishment packs.






















So, show off your style
and email your finished image to hklimas@allamericancrafts.com ("S&B facebook challenge" in subject line) by 6pm EST on July 1st!!!

Facebook Fan Bottle Cap Challenge

I am so excited to offer our facebook fans this opportunity. Paper Creations magazine wants to throw a challege out there for our facebook fans to create a "Fall Themed bottle cap" (like the one shown here.)



We will pick a handful of our favorites to showcase in our Fall 2010 issue and pick 1 favorite out of that group to win this wonderful prize courtesy of GCD Studios.




















GCD Studios has supplied us with this wonderful collection designed by Melody Ross. It includes 48 12" x 12" papers and nine embellishment packs. And did you know that every piece of paper they make has a textured feel to it? Not something you can experience over the internet!!! If you would like to stay up to date on what is going on with GCD Studios, make sure to sign up for their newsletter.

Keep in mind we are looking for the following:
*Fall Themed pieces - it can be as simple or as complex as you would like. You can embellish the inside or the outside, take your pick. But please make sure these pieces are original.
*Need some direction? Check out this link for some helpful tips on how to prep and seal your piece (if you desire). (Thank you Paper Imagery Design for this tutorial.)
*Only three entries per person.
*Email finished pictures to hklimas@allamericancrafts.com with "bottle cap challenge" in the subject line.
*The contest ends Friday May 28th at 6 p.m. EST. Top winners will be notified by June 16th and they will be featured in our Fall 2010 issue on sale July 27th.


So get out there and CREATE!

Journaling . . . It Could Change Your Life!

By Lisa Lelas



No doubt about it . . . we live in stressful and uncertain times. With health care a major issue for both insured and uninsured alike, professional organizing and life coach Lisa Lelas writes about the proven benefits of keeping a journal. Recording your feelings can be both therapeutic for your body and for your soul. It costs nothing but a few minutes each day.

There are many types of journals from which to choose. Exploring just one or two of the different journals described in the Spring 2010 issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond might be all that is needed to stroke your inspiration and motivation to take on yet another creative masterpiece.

So, if you need to get a few things off your chest, or perhaps to find a new source for inspiration, sharpen your pencil and start journaling!

Summer Party Ideas

Did the heat wave this past weekend put you in the mood to throw a BBQ? Follow these instructions to create a unique way to invite your friends and family to your next party. Enjoy!