Mardi Gras Layout & Card

Lent is next week!! Almost here.... the year is moving along so quickly!

I worked on two projects: a layout & a coordinating card.

.single page layout.

this fun page has photos from the Princess & The Frog parade in the French Quarter @ Disneyland :D 

 .zoom on interactive journaling (& one awesome photo!).

.the flip over. 

fonts are by Sticko & Creative Imaginations 

 .love this photo - she looked right into my lens!.

.d.i.y. mardi gras mask. 

used the Robin's Nest Glitter mask & added feathers/gems 

Now for the matching card..... 

.celebrate!.  

.zoom on mask.

All the Fleur De Lis diecuts are Spellbinders. 

Happy Fat Tuesday!!

xo,

Thoughts on the T!m Holtz Frenzy

So... how many of you are joining in on the 12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS by Tim Holtz??


He's been the new scrapbook star of recent years - the new guy on the block everyone wants to know & be around. And though I've never met him, what people have been saying has been very nice & honorable. And up until yesterday I still thought "He's a designer with great ideas but not the end of the world! Geesh!" 


I work at a local So. Cal store and decided that we'd put up pictures of the days' project and the supply list. Wow, the supply list.....!! I wrote out all of the things needed for day one & in size 12 font, it took up the WHOLE page! Now, I should say that I didnt read  the prior day's post because then I wouldn't have been so quick to judge that list!




"well here i sit trying to type out a supply list for the 12 tags and you know what?  i can't...

here's the deal - i use so many different products on the tags, that it's hard to suggest a specific product or color.  for example, if i said i was using crackle paint, then the questions would be what colors, how many tags will it be used on, etc?  if the stores order up on crackle and i only end up using a bit of it on a grungeboard snowflake - then what?  stores will be overstocked on products and i don't think anyone wants that.  i also don't want anyone to feel that the 12 tags are marketing motivated because they've never been.   the 12 tags started out as a way to give back to the people who have supported me all year and more importantly, a way for me to share my love for the holidays.  i know this has turned into a frenzy all it's own and i'm blessed for that - we all are, but it's still important that i don't lose sight of why i'm doing them in the first place.  i enjoy challenging myself creatively by doing the tags each night before i post them (which i've done the past 3 years since they started).   i love the excitement i feel when i have to finish each tag by midnight as eager people from all over the world wait to see it the moment it goes live. half of the fun is getting people inspired and challenge themselves to use what supplies they have.  it's also wonderful that stores are just as excited each day trying to gather up products in their stores and plan workshops and make & takes to share with their customers.  i understand that every once in a while there is that odd product that nobody expects me to use - even me, but it is what it is.  i feel that by committing to products now, i'm not only limiting myself creatively on what i would actually want to use and design, but it takes the magic out of this and i don't want to give that magic up.  honestly, i have no idea what i'm going to create this year, and i don't know exactly what products i'll be using, but i do know this - that in the end everyone will have enjoyed the 12 tags of christmas again - including me...
i hope you understand...tim"


Well my friends, I feel that again, though I've never met him - I felt he was writing this letter to me (a shop girl who works to accommodate all those buyers who say "I NEED "Stormy Skies" TODAY because he's doing it on his blog!!!!!! Why are you OUT?") They come in with their lists -as long as my typed one from yesterday - and want EVERYTHING on it and wonder why we may be out of a couple of things. I am very happy to know that T!M appreciates the stores that carry his line & more importantly that he does not let product impede on his creativity. If it flows, it flows. A true artist. Now I can say that I'm on the boat! :)


So, then. I apologize to any T.H. fans, and of course the man himself, for my callousness & assumptions. It's really good to see an artist who refuses to sell out. 


xo,

A Technological Scare

Is is a bad sign when you feel an slight identity crisis when your Facebook page disappears?

Yesterday morning I woke up to a disabled account:

"Your account has been disabled because using fake names or not being a real person is prohibited."

Whaaaa? Since yesterday my account has been fixed - Facebook experienced a "bug" and are doing reparations for all the deleted accounts. Here's the full story: http://gawker.com/5691682/facebook-gives-women-the-third-degree

So, in light of technology... here's a double page layout of robots! :D lol

{Boys In Motion}

 double page layout. (1) 5x7, (2) 4x6 photos

 it's considered rare to have an opportunity to rhinestones on a boys' page!!

 hand stitched tire tracks. i'm thinking Wall-E track marks!

 ok, I wanted to show off these gears. They can move! They are only held down by the brads so they can spin!

a zoom on in the title - cut from an electronic machine in the "Calvin & Hobbes" font (p.s. my favorite comic strip)

Supply List:

Printed Paper: Cosmo Cricket

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Diecuts & Stickers: Cosmo Cricket

Nameplate Arrow & Gears: Quickutz

Brads: Bazzill Basics

Gems: Mark Richards

FYI: this page is for sale in my Etsy shop! Swing by & take a look! (Makes a great gift & it's pre-made ready to go!)

Spooky Halloween

Hi All!

Here's the last installment of the Halloween projects for the week. I have here a layout that I made a couple of years ago!! :D Enjoy!

Spooky Halloween 

a double page layout: (2) 5x7, (2) 4x6, (3) 3x3. 

the right side

 the left side

 zoom on triple matting (green Bazzill, black Bazzill, print - all inked on the edge) & three coordinating ribbons!

 here, I cut a 4"x12" border from the striped paper and stamped the edge with a "stitch" type border. then I layered the 3D tombstones & trees to make a cemetery scape. 

 zoom on title. I stamped the title on orange Bazzill with acrylic stamp alpha set. Then used an exact-o knife to cut them out. 

zoom on 3D cardstock stickers. 

***HOW TO MAKE STICKERS 3D****

1. Put stickers on scrap white smooth cardstock. 

2. Cut them out. (This takes away their "stickiness")

3. Put 3D double-sided foam adhesive on the back then glue in place. (My favorite are Pop-Dots from EK Success)

Supply List:

Printed Paper: Scenic Route "Salem" line

Stickers: Scenic Route "Salem" line

3D emb: EK Success

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Stamps: Inkadinkado, Autumn Leaves

Ink: Colorbox

Ribbon: May Arts, Creative Impressions, Bo Bunny

So, readers - I have a question: Would you like to see more of the How-Tos on this blog? Like the above post?? Please let me know! Thanks :D

xo,

Let's Go A Haunting!

This week Kristina-Nicole is featuring all Halloween inspired projects and layouts. I hope that you gain some inspiration to get those photos printed off your SD card and scrap a few.

Here's a single page layout featuring Cosmo Cricket's Haunted collection:

Let's Go A Haunting

two photo mats: (1) 4x6, (1) 5x7 made from two prints from the collection.

these skeletons were what sold me on the collection! Aren't they great? I placed them on white cardstock, cut them out, then popped them up with 3D foam squares.  

 two make the paper ruffle: cut (2) pieces of 2" x12" strips of patterned paper. glue the two ends together and fold the accordion. adhere to page (you'll have a little bit left over - just trim that off). 

a better view to see the 3D-ness of it all 

here's the page with photos on it! 

Supply List:

Printed Paper: Cosmo Cricket "Haunted" line

Stickers: Cosmo Cricket "Haunted" line

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Ink: Colorbox

xo,

"Happy Halloween"

Happy Halloween! 

I hope everyone had a great holiday & enjoyed the piles of candy laying around. This week - I wanted to showcase Halloween items that I've made over the years. Some for clients, some for me, and some for Etsy!

"Happy Halloween"

{available in the KRISTINA-NICOLE Etsy shop}

 a two page premade scrapbook layout. 

 left side. features a cute 3D little witch & bats, pull out tag for journaling, and glazed embellishments & photomats. 

 the amazing trio: a mummy, frankenstein, and ghost! all the photo mats are triple layered & inked. 

 a zoom on the title

 a zoom on the cute witch with her cauldron. the pot's bubbles have just the right amount of shimmer!

zoom on the glazed mats. half of the polka dots have been given Diamond Glaze to had texture and a little extra POP!

This item is in the Etsy shop. And remember, if you're a blog follower (or become one) there's FREE SHIPPING! {click here to go back to the post with Coupon Code}. 

Check back all week for more halloween projects! 

xo,

Two New Products - Under $20!

Hey there!

Just put up two NEW projects on Etsy this morning!

Please check them out. They were such fun to create & I think what you'll find best about them... they are both under $20USD!

Woo Woo!

{Hello Beautiful}

{Best Buddies}

xo,

A Crazy Little Thing.... called LIFE!

SooOOOooo, my life has been a bit chaotic, how's yours?

The wedding is fast approaching - 9.5 weeks!! GAH! In the midst of trimming, inking, and gluing, I had the opportunity to check out some new scrapbooking product from the CHA 2010 Summer Release!

I work at a local So. Cal Scrapbook store (it's my ME time, even though I get a paycheck - hehe). We had received samples of the new BoBunny lines & Reminisce lines. Woo hoo am I excited! The designs are great.

BoBunny: I just love Jan Lanoy's creations! I had the opportunity to meet her way back in 2004. She autographed my favorite paper of hers at the time - sweetest lady ever!!

Anywhoo: here they are :)  ...

And the great designers at Reminisce! They never cease to amaze me - such simple designs, but ALWAYS the necessary basics! Here are just 4 of I think 12 new lines.....

Sooo cute! I can't wait to make some great projects with these!

Are there any new scrapbooking lines that you're looking forward to the new releases of?

Designer Challenge:
I didn't picture my FAVORITE company's new release here - they are quite popular and come out with releases often. First person to comment with the correct company - I'll send you a goodie pack with some of their supplies!! :D

xo,

Kristina-Nicole

xo,

Kristina-Nicole

Swapping It Out

I am really excited (and ashamed to announce) that I am participating in my first swap!

{Swap: a scrapbooking term used to describe the exchange of supplies and materials between two or more scrapbookers, card makers, and paper-lovers. Swaps can be done in person or through mail. Swaps can be set up through one on one decisions or group swaps, aka clubs. The supplies of the swap can be from your own stash of supplies, purchased, or something created specifically for the swap, i.e. a tag swap}


I met Lynda, the woman I'm swapping with, via The Paper Pantry. I have an online profile there and she found me! We had been talking about swapping when I admitted that I was a newbie. We decided to give it a go!!

How We Set Up Our Swap:
{1.} Emailed each other 3 questions -about our scrapbooking personalities, and other hobbies, fav. colors....
{2.} Used the 6 questions total & provided the answers to the other person.
{3.} Using these answers we "shopped" our own supplies.

This is what I'm sending her {you can click on the photos to make them bigger}:

She loves to journal (hence a whole assortment of journal tags and spots. And bright colors: there's pink, aqua, orange, yellow, red, blue, green....

Her swap kit includes:

{4} Anna Griffin Journal Tags
{9} Maya Road Acrylic Journal Embellishments
{5} Making Memories Journal Spots
{2} My Mind's Eye Accessory Sheets
{13} Making Memories Self-Adhesive Acetate Flower Diecuts
{6} Pieces of Ribbon: Teal Ruffle, Light Pink Ruffle, Pink Grosgrain with Dots, White Stripes, Teal with          
      MultiColor Dots, Green RicRac
{1} Studio G Cupcake Rubber Stamp
{17} Making Memories Chipboard Diecuts

I can't wait to get my package! Just wanted to share. :D
xo,

p.s. If you ever want to do a swap, let me know! I'd love to!