Unity Lovers, hold on to your ink!!!

You're going to LOVE what I'm about to show you! A few short months ago I asked Unity about a Kit of the Month for retailers. They very quickly responded that they've had many requests for such an item and one was in the works. Just the other day I received an email with this in it...

This is the very FIRST Unity Retailer KOTM! Don't you LOVE it?! I can't wait for it to arrive! Not only are the images great but there's plenty of sentiments and quotes to go along with them all! AND, each kit will come in a Scraponizer so you don't have to worry about how you're going to store them! This is actually the August KOTM so you have a bit before it arrives BUT, we'll have it on the site shortly so you can get your pre-orders in! Feel free to email me if you have any questions!

Jenn sent me this super duper cute layout she made for her son's Kindergarten Graduation.

She used the Cloud Border for her grass and the new Revolution Schoolhouse. She embossed the roof of the Schoolhouse with the Cuttlebug Tiny Mosaic Embossing Folder. Jenn also used the new Sizzix Airplane Banner Decorative Strip and the Chicken Noodle font for the title. The embossing adds so much detail!

A local donut shop here donated some goodies for a parent meeting at my kids' school and I thought a handmade thank you was in order. Here's the card I made for them...

To make the donut, I cut a large circle and a small one from the center of that with my Circle Nestabilities. Then I head embossed it with my American Crafts Opaque white embossing powder and put a layer of Diamond Glaze. I made some cardstock layers and added some Scenic Route Garden Grove patterned paper. A "sweet" thank you for their kindness.

Veronica loves using her die cuts as masks to create one-of-a-kind looks on her pages.

For this page, Veronica cut the robot out of Quickutz Vinyl using her Silhouette. She applied the vinyl to her page, misted the backgroud then removed the vinyl leaving behind the clear white robot image. For her title, Veronica used a combination of the Flirt Gift Set and Yogurt Grand. She used a fine tip pen to create "stitching" around the letters in "BOY". Veronica cut stars using her Quickutz Cookie Cutter Nesting Stars and sprinkled them with buttons throughout the page. Masking is really an easy technique but it always gives such amazing results!

Well, there you have it. How's that for a kick start to your Monday?! We sure hope you had a great weekend and we thank you for stoppin' by! While you're here leave us a comment and tell us what you're going to be doing this holiday weekend. Do you have extra time off? Will you be traveling? We'll be back on Wednesday with more scrappy fun! Until then, have a great week! Oh, and don't forget about the Quickutz Border Giveaway! Just complete your layout based on last week's sketch and email it to me at katie@scrap-mart.com to be entered in the random drawing.

Katie

We have an all new Friday sketch!

But before we get to that, I have one more layout to show you based on last week's sketch.

The title is a mixture of the Flirt Gift Set and Moonlight. All the shapes are from the Flirt Gift Set as well and I added a Scallop Border. There wasn't a nail polish bottle in the set so I made one by combining the bottom of the perfume bottle and one of the makeup applicators. All of the die cuts are blinged out! I did this by coloring each of them with Copic Spica Glitter pens. Here's a closeup so you can see how well these pens cover...


The Copic pens are amazing! They spread shimmer with every stroke and as you can see, they don't leave streaks or marks. The cover you can get with them is really surprising for a glitter pen.

For this week's sketch I did something a little different. I chose a 2 page layout! Take a look...



Veronica's flipped the pages of the sketch for her layout...

She used the Revolution Arrows, Revolution Star Burst, Revolution Notebook Sheet and the Cookie Cutter Office Supplies for the binder clip. Veronica used Sassafras Lass Bungle Jungle papers and alpha stickers on her layout. Here's a closer, individual view of her pages...

And, if you're curious, her title translates (roughly) to "Party with a "jumping castle". The jumping castle is one of those inflatable bouncers. What a great layout!

The sketch shows lots of layering and paper pieces but I chose to keep mine super simple and leave lots of "white space".

I replaced the journal block with the Confetti Border and used red rhinestones instead of the die cut pieces. For the title, I used my Spotlight Cookie Cutter alphabet and the number 9 candle which is layered on top of the Cookie Cutter Nesting Label. On the candle I colored the flame with my orange Copic Spica Glitter pen then drew a wick on it. Here's a closeup view so you can see the shimmer of the candle...

You can see here how consistent the glitter looks...no streaking or clumps.

Tammy did something a little different too! She used the 2 page layout as inspiration for 2 completely different layouts. Here's her first...

Tammy used the Quickutz Banana Split alphabet for her title. Isn't that a great picture of her daughter?! It's from her dance recital where she was a, well, cupcake! Just beautiful!

And here's Tammy's second layout...

In this layout, Tammy used the Quickutz Bracket Border. What a great way to really maximize the sketch!

We hope you enjoy this week's sketch and that you'll join us and create your own layout using this sketch as inspiration. Thanks for stoppin' by today! We're having a fabulous Quickutz Border Sale right now!!! Most borders are $12.99 and $13.99!!! That's awesome! Hurry to the store and check 'em out 'cause the stock won't last long with those prices! And, just for fun all participants of this week's sketch will be entered into a drawing and I will give away a Quickutz Border die to a randomly chosen winner from those entries! Email your finished projects to me at Katie@scrap-mart.com. Have a great weekend!

Katie

It's With us Wednesday time again...

and this week we're saying hello to our long lost friend, Crafty Deb!!! She created the cutest card front which could also be used as a fun page topper!

Crafty Deb used the 2x2 Instant Photo the Quickutz Aliens, scissors and the Supermarket alphabet. She topped it off with the Bead Border and a touch of ribbon.

I also have a project from our friend PJ to share with you today. She has used her Relax Gift Set to make some fun journal blocks for her layouts.

For this one, she used the dolphin and the wave. PJ tore some kraft colored cardstock to create her sand. You could easily create your own journal blocks with any of your shapes!

Here's a cute card from Tammy using her Unity Stamps.

Tammy colored her image with her Copic markers and mounted it using her Large Rectangle Nestabilities and Large Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities. She sent this card to her mom when she moved to her new place.

Here's a super quick card I made using the Spellbinders Impressabilities.

For this card, I used the Flower Impressabilities template. I first cut my circle from my Spellbinder's Circle Nestabilities then laid the template over my die cut and airbrushed using my Copic marker and airbrush system. I then layered that using my Scallop Circle Nestabilites. I repeated this with the next larger size then added them to my card front! It's a super simple process so you can whip out multiple cards in no time!

We'll be back here Friday with another sample of last week's sketch and an all new sketch for this week! Thanks for stoppin' by! We hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

Katie

Zelda's in the house!!!

The limited edition Zelda Grand alphabet is Week 4's Summer of Fun release! At first, I wasn't sure about this font. I know it's a re-release but I don't have the original one. After some consideration, I decided this would be a great font for my boys. I even think it would work well on some fun girl pages too. Mine is on it's way to my doorstep now and I can't wait 'til I have it in hand.

Yesterday was Father's Day and your husbands and fathers all had a great day. My youngest kids both made dad a picture card at school and my oldest bought one for him. I couldn't let the day go by without making him a card.

After I stamped the image, I colored it with my Copic Markers I used E37 Sepia , E29 Burnt Umber along with the Colorless Blender. I didn't have a black one so to get the tires just right, I first colored the tires with a black colored pencil then went over that with my C-2 Cool Gray. I also used the Cool Gray to create the shadow under the truck. After I colored the image, I used my Oval Nestabilities to cut the image out then embossed it. Afer it was embossed, I left it in the die and brushed on some chalk to create the smokey sky. Using my Scallop Oval Nestabilities, I created a mat for my image. The card base is fairly simple...just a few layers of cardstock and Scenic Route patterned papers. I used an old Making Memories Magnetic Stamp set to stamp my sentiment. My hubby has decided to take this card to work with him and keep it on his desk! That makes me proud!

Tammy's layout today was inspired by former Unity Stamps Designer Chelsea Cook.

She used the Rollerskate alphabet for her title and some fun Relax shapes. Tammy used her Spellbinders Classic Square Nestabilities and stamped it with a quote from Unity's Beach Days and Sun Rays set. The papers are from the Sassafras Lass Hog Heaven collection and she added in some Core'dinations cardstock and used Quickustripz for her die cuts.

Veronica used her Relax gift set to create this cute summer card.

She used the alphabet, sailboat and waves from the gift set. Look at how she made her sun...she used a button and drew some doodled rays! Veronica used her Quickutz Cookie Cutter Scallop Nesting Squares and the Cookie Cutter Nesting Squares to create the mat for her image.

This next layout is from our friend PJ!

She took her girls to the Taylor Swift concert and they got to meet her!!!! How awesome is that?! PJ cut the heart from the Slice Basic Shapes One Design Card and used the Quickutz Sticky Note font for her title. I love quick and simple layouts! Thanks for sharing with us PJ!

I hope you had a great weekend and we're sure glad you stopped by today! We have a special going on Zelda and the new Epic 6 Quickutz machine so be sure to stop by the store to check it out. Enjoy your week and we'll see you back here on Wednesday!

Katie

TGIF! I have another great...

sketch for you today from our very own Veronica!

I have become a single-page, single-photo scrapper so I'm really lovin' these multi-photo sketches!

Tammy's layout has a very creative title not to mention some adorable photos!

She used the Quickutz Reuse font and the Revolution Tag, which she journaled on and tucked behind a photo.

Here's Veronica's take on the sketch...

She used a combination of Relax and Flirt fonts to creat her title. She used the Cookie Cutter Polaroid for her pictures and the tape from the Cookie Cutter Ooffice Supplies. Veronica cut the tape out of vellum to give it a more real appearance. Her journaling was written on the Quickutz Cookie Cutter Rectangle Label which she topped off with a mushroom from the Revolution Mushroom die. Veronica used a dimensional adhesive on the mushroom and you can see the shadow created by the lift.

Jenn used the sketch for insiration to create this card.

She used the Aquarius font for her title and the Pin Cushion, Clothes Pin and the retired needle and thread. Jenn placed her shapes onto some Cookie Cutter Scallop Nesting Squares. The inside of her card says "is homemade". Jenn's card is a perfect example of how you can use a sketch for inspiration without completely using every aspect and detail of the sketch!

We hope you have a great weekend and we appreciate you taking the time to stop by today. If you decide to create with this sketch this week you can email a photo of your finished project to me at katie@scrap-mart.com. And don't forget to send your supply list with the photo! We'll be back Monday with some more fabulous projects!

Katie

We are back today with...

some more fabulous projects with the new dies from the Quickutz Home collection. What do you think of these new dies? Which ones are on your wish list? Believe it or not, I have big plans for that toilet die! LOL! I know, I know! It's crazy but remember, I have 2 rather recently potty trained chilren in the house. 'Nough said. Onto projects.

It was love at first sight for Jenn and the Cookie Cutter City Skyline border. Look at this awesome layout...

This was just what Jenn needed for her night on the town pictures. She used the Diesel Grand alphabet and a retired phrase die for her title.

Tammy created these two wonderful cards with her new home dies and some Unity stamps.

Here she used the Revolution Fireplace and Spellbinders Square Nestabilities. The sentiment is from Unity's May Kit of the Month. On her second card, Tammy used the 2x2 House.

She also used her Spellbinders Square Nestabilities and the Bead Border which she cut in half to create her tiny scallops. The sentiment from this card also came from Unity's May Kit of the Month.

Veronica created this fun layout with her Relax Gift Set.

All the fun shapes on her layout are from the gift set and she used the Cookie Cutter Label for her journaling. Veronica used the Yogurt alphabet for her title. There's only a few gift sets left so if you haven't grabbed one you should do so soon!

I finally got to play with my new Slice Tag Maker Design Card and glitter tag rims!

I used the new Scenic Route Garden Grove patterned papers. LOVE this collection! I used the Tag Maker design card for the circle tag, the Just Chillin' design card for the arrow and the Fall/Back to School for the "3rd". I added simple paper tabs to the top and used some Dymo Labeler journal strips. Here's a close-up view...

I think the blue glitter rim is the perfect balance of bling for this boy page.

What a start for the week! Three consecutive days of inspiration! Gotta love it! Thanks so much for stoppin' by today! We'll be back on Friday with another great sketch from Veronica. If you participated in last week's sketch you still have time to get it to me. Simply email me a picture of your project at katie@scrap-mart.com and include the list of dies you used. We'll see you Friday! Enjoy the rest of the week!

Katie

Think ruby red slippers....

click three times and say "There's no place like home". That's the name of the newest Quickutz release. These shapes are all about home and things you may find there from a clothes pin to a washer and dryer to a barn or a picket fence. LOVE this release! Click here to see all of the images. I do have a great layout and some quarter size references from Jenn to share with you.

Here Jenn shows us the Clothes Pin, Washer and Dryer, Nameplates, Schoolhouse, Barn and Fence. Look how she used the Cloud Border as her grassy background for the Barn and Fence! Also, notice the roof of the School House? Jenn embossed it with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. Love that!

Now check out her layout...

Here she used the Cookie Cutter Lamp Post and the Iron Scroll Sign. Jenn used the Studio Skinni Mini font for her title.

While Jenn was playing, I mean working, with her new dies she noticed that the Picket Fence could be manipulated into other shapes. For instance, you could cut the pointed top off and turn it into a train track or maybe even a boardwalk! Gotta love those innovations! Thanks Jenn for the tip and for sharing your layout and sample shapes.

So, what do you think? Do you love this release too? Don't forget to tune in tomorrow for our regularly scheduled Wednesday post. Hope you're having a great week! See you tomorrow!

Katie

It's Week 3 of the Quickutz Summer of Fun release!

This week's release includes 2 cute cute dies. They are a 4x4 Dog and Teddy Bear. Look at how adorable they are...

These would be perfect on kid layouts! You could mix them with other animal dies for a fun stuffed animal layout or they would be great for children's cards too.

I have a few projects to share with you and a video too! Let's start with this pretty card from Tammy.

She stamped her Unity Image onto the Spellbinders Labels Three which she double layered. This is another one of those cool hinged cards. Take a look at how it opens...

The sentiment is from Unity's May Kit of the Month.

Here's another Relax project from PJ.

She used the turtle and the font for this project. You could use this as a card or even as a title or page topper for a layout. Notice how she alternated the colors on the turtles.

Finally, here's a video for you. This is a quick video to show you how to use your Sizzix Border dies in your Cuttlebug machine.



We're glad you stopped by today. If you have any questions about the video or any requests for videos please email me at katie@scrap-mart.com. And don't forget tomorrow is the Quickutz June general release so be sure to stop in and see what else they have in store for you. I think this release will be a popular one. See you tomorrow!

Katie

I'm excited to be back today...

with another Friday sketch! Did you miss it last week? Probably not too much because you had PJ's awesome mini book to check out. This week's sketch comes from none other than Scrap-Mart design team member Veronica.

And here are the design team's interpretations of it. We'll start with Tammy.

Those pics crack me up! Tammy used both new Summer of Fun fonts, String Bean and Chicken Noodle, on her layout. They compliment each other well don't you think?

Jenn also used the String Bean alpha for her title.

She also used her Revolution Arrows , Unity Stamps Check this Kid Out stamp and Scenic Route papers.

Here's my take...

I used some Scenic Route papers for my layout. The Scrap Strip worked perfectly for this layout! I added some coordinating chipboard photo corners, the Revolution Baseball and the "Go Team" which was cut using the Slice Sports Design Card.

And here's Veronica's layout...

She used a combination of Yogurt and Relax alphabets along with Chomp and Squirt, Scrap-Mart's excluxive BossKut dies. The water droplets are from the Revolution Weather die. Veronica cut all her shapes from fun foam for added dimension.

We're glad you dropped by today and we hope you'll join us in the sketch challenge. This one is super simple and you can whip it up in under 30 minutes! Seriously! You can send your completed projects to katie@scrap-mart along with a list of dies you used. Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check back in on Monday for the Summer of Fun Week 3 release! See you then!

Katie

So what do you think...

about the new 4x4 Chicken Noodle Alphabet? Have you ordered it yet? I know some of you wanted to see this alphabet used on a layout and Tammy was happy to oblige.

The idea from this layout came from 2 Peas member Linda Vegas. Tammy used the Revolution Tag and the Chicken Noodle font. It's a super versatile alphabet! Small enough for cards but not too small to use on a layout!

Jenn used Chicken Noodle for her title on this card...

She also used the super cute Chomp, Scrap-Mart's exclusive BossKut alligator, Cookie Cutter Nesting Scallop Squares and the Cuttlebug Spots and Dots Embossing Folder. This would be a fun card to give a loved one going away on a trip.

Here's another beautiful layout Veronica made by creating her own background paper.

She stamped her background with Unity Stamp's Half Flower Swirl and Hearts of Old. She used the Slice and the Basic Shapes 3 design card for her flourishes and the title is a mixture of Banana Split and the retired Fiesta font. This is a great technique!

Some of you, like me, may still be on the fence about the Quickutz Spring Gift sets. I FINALLY decided to grab Flirt and I'm lovin' it. Or, you may have one (or more!) and be thinking "now what?" We have just a few of the gift sets left so we thought we'd show you some fun ideas on how to use some of the shapes. PJ sent me some great ideas using the Relax Gift Set and I'll be sharing them with you over the next week or so. We'll start with my favorite...

This is the coolest journaling block! The best part is it is hand-made!!! She used the shapes from the Relax set and some lined paper. I love how she tore the paper along the bottom to create the sand. This would be awesome on a beach or summer layout! We have tons more ideas for you on ways you can use the gift sets so be sure to stay tuned.

We're glad you stopped by today and we hope you've seen something that has inspired you! If there's something specific you want to see or know how to use, leave us a comment or send me an email at katie@scrap-mart.com and we'll get it done for you! We'll resume our Friday sketch challenges this week so we'll see you right back here Friday! Thanks and enjoy the rest of your week!

Katie

Some fun pics and Week 2 Summer of Fun release!

Wow!!! What a weekend! Scrap-Mart was in Arlington for the Great American Scrapbook Convention and what a weekend it was! We met so many of our wonderful customers and were fortunate enough to make some new ones. Here are a few pics of our booth.

This was obviously the Slice section where we conducted demos all weekend.

And here's a look at the Quickutz side of the booth.

This is the other side which has Spellbinders, Copics and more!

We didn't keep all the fun to ourselves. One of our helpers from the booth visited with the folks across from us and here's what happened...

Yeah, that's a guy. And, yeah, HE was with us! LOL! We had some fun didn't we?!

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...Week 2 Summer of Fun release!!! I'd like to introduce to you the Quickutz Chicken Noodle 4x4 Alphabet!

This alphabet is a perfect size for cardmaking.

Jenn combined the new Chicken Noodle with the Enjoy Gift Set font for this fun card.

She also used the cute ant from the gift set along with the sun from the Cookie Cutter Weather set. Those two fonts go great together!

Tammy used Chicken Noodle to make this Welcome Baby card...

She also used the BossKut Tiny Baby, Spellbinders Classic Rectangle and Classic Scallop Rectangles, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder and her Copic Skin White (E00) marker for the baby's face.

Thanks for stopping by today we sure hope you've enjoyed it! While you're here, leave us a comment and let us know what you think about the new alphabet and leave Daniel a little love! We'll see you back here Wednesday with some more great projects! Until then, have a wonderful week!

Katie