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

As promised...

I have a great little mini class to share with you today from our friend, PJ. She created a great little album you could make for ANY occasion! Okay, let's get started!

Here's the list of what you're going to need:

2 pieces of chipboard (cut to 4 ½ x 12)
Scenic Route Assorted papers from the Sonoma Line
Scenic Route Sonoma Sticker Sheet
Choose 5 sheets of Bazzill Cardstock that match the Sonoma line (I chose Pickle, Casa, Ruby Slipper, Candlelight, Brown or French Vanilla)
Bazzill Flowers (White, Red, Brown and Green)
Matching Brads for flowers
Assorted Ribbons in matching colors
Embossing Plates from Cuttlebug
6 - 2 inch binding rings
QuicKutz Alphabet Die Cuts
Cuttlebug Heart and Butterfly Die Cuts and matching Embossing Plate
QuicKutz Branch Die Cut, 2 - 4x4 Owl Die Cuts, 12 Inch Scallop border
Slice Journaling Block from the Noteworthy Cartridge

Cover:

Cut 2 pieces of chipboard (4 ½ x 12)
Cut 4 pieces of matching Scenic Route paper from the Sonoma line to cover the chipboard cover pieces (4 ½ x 12)
UHU Glue works well. I prefer using my Xyron Machine to put adhesive over the whole piece of paper but it isn’t very forgiving if you make a mistake.
Sand and paint edges of cover with a touch of Brown Paint

For the inside pages, you'll need Bazzill Cardstock, 2 of each color, cut to 4 ¼ x 12for the inside pages.

Layer your pages as you wish. I chose Pickle, Casa, Ruby Slipper, Candelight and then Brown. Repeat the same pattern for the second set of pages. When you are finished you will have 10 pages. (I needed 12 pages because I had tons of pictures I wanted to use. Normally I wouldn’t recommend that many pages)

WARNING!!!! Punch holes in chipboard and cardstock pages before you proceed!!

Punch holes in cover first. Starting from the left side of the cover and punch holes at the 1”, 3”, 5”, 7” 9”, 11” marks. I use a Cropadile to punch holes.

Using the cover as your guide, punch holes in all 10 pages with the textured side facing up. You can punch a few at a time using your Cropadile.

Page one is a solid sheet of paper. Do not cut.

Page Two is cut in half (at the 6” mark)

Page Three is cut at the 8” mark (measure all your cuts from the left to right)

Page Four is a solid sheet of paper. Do not cut.

Page Five is cut in half (cut at the 6” mark)

Page Six is cut at the 4” mark (measure all your cuts from the left to right)

Page Seven is a solid sheet of paper. Do not cut.

Page Eight is cut in half (cut at the 6” mark)

Page Nine is cut at the 8” mark

Page Ten is a solid sheet of paper. Do not cut.

And here's the extra page I added...

With the textured side facing up, corner round the bottom edges of each page. Notice that all the cut pages have 4 edges that are corner rounded but never the side with the holes punched in it.

Once you have the pages cut you can then add your photos and embellish as you wish!

We hope you've enjoyed PJ's album! She obviously put alot into it so while you're here, leave a comment and give her some love! We'll see you back here Monday! Have a great weekend!

Katie

Our With us Wednesday for today...

is a special one because our guest's project was based on last Friday's sketch. I'm showing you early because I have a very special post for you this Friday and there will not be a sketch this week.

Our guest this Wednesday is our friend, Shar. Look at her awesome layout!

She used the Quickutz Mini Daisies, Revolution Branches, Label and! Her large flowers were stamped with Making Memories foam stamps then cut out by hand. This is a wonderful interpretation of the sketch!

Tammy also saved her version of the sketch to share with you today. Check it out...

Isn't that a gorgeous photo?! Tammy used a Unity Stamp for her title and added some flowers and bling. Just beautiful!

Veronica has also been playing with her Unity Stamps and she has a tutorial for us to show us how to create a stunning background with your stamps. First, take a look at her finished layout.

For the first step, you'll need your background cardstock/paper, stamps, embossing ink or Versamark, clear embossing powder and a heat/embossing gun.

Stamp your image onto your cardstock/paper, cover it with the clear embossing powder, tap off the excess and heat emboss.

Next, you'll need a mini-mister with a little water in it and your choice of re-inker.

After you mix your ink and water, mist your paper over the area you stamped and embossed.

Allow it to dry a bit then you're ready to complete your layout. Here's a closeup view...

It may seem like alot but it really is super simple. If you decide to give this a try, be sure to share a picture of your project with us!

Now check out this COLORFUL layout from Jenn!

She cut the title with her Silhouette using a true type font called "Waltograph" and offset it at 2 different sizes to get the double mat. She also used the Revolution Photo Corners and the retired Bottlecaps. The paper Jenn used is from the Sassafras Lass Anthem collection. What a great layout!

Thanks for stoppin' by today! Don't forget to check in Friday for PJ's special project! Enjoy the rest of your week and we'll see you then!

Katie

In case you haven't heard yet...

Quickutz is doing another Summer of Fun program this year! If you're not familiar with the Summer of Fun program, let me fill you in. Basically, each week in June Quickutz will release one or more limited edition dies. Yesterday was the first release and it was something Quickutz had never done before. Check it out...

It's a 12" Border Alphabet! I love how skinny the font is and I think it'll be great to mix with other fonts. I'm also thinking it would be totally cool to cut a strip and use the negative as a border on a school page! That's my plan! If you like it, I urge you to snatch it up fast because they are limited edition so when they're gone they're GONE!

As you may know, we're heading out to Arlington, TX tomorrow for the Great American Scrapbook Convention. If you're going to be there be sure to stop by the Scrap-Mart booth and say hello. We'll be doing demos with the Slice and more! And don't worry, we'll still have our Wednesday post...but it will be a bit different! We'll see you back here tomorrow! Thanks for stoppin' by and have a great day!

Katie

Have you picked up your....

Spring Gift set(s) yet? They're all so great it's seriously hard to choose a fav. Jenn and her family are going to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago next week and she thought she'd get a jump start by creating her layout ahead of time.

She used the Relax gift set with that Spongebob-like font and added Squirt, Scrap-Mart's exclusive BossKut octopus. They're a perfect match! Jenn's "sea weed" is actually a Silhouette download of a vine! How creative!

Veronica's friends recently got married and she created a beautiful altered cake for them.

She started out with a set of wood boxes in different sizes and covered them with paper. Then she glued them together and added the lace trim and the paper flowers and glitter leaves from her Quickuts Leaf die (RS-0101). She topped it off with a Quickutz Revolution Flourish. Here's a closer view of the cake and the top...

What a beautiful gift!

Check out Tammy's clever card she created for her hubby's birthday!

I know you're thinking this looks like a regular card but look at how it opens!

Isn't that cool?! Tammy learned how to make this card from Wendy Bell's blog. Click HERE to view the tutorial. She used her Classic Squares Large and Classic Scallop Squares Large Nestabilities along with a sentiment from Unity's Birthday Chic stamp set. I can't wait to try this!

I'm heading out of town this week for the Arlington Memory Makers Great American Scrapbook Convention and I thought it would be fun to stash a card my hubby would find after I was gone. Here's what I created for him...

Inspiration for this card came from Kazan's sketch and card at 2 Sketches 4 You. I used some Sassafras Lass Bungle Jungle papers and Spellbinders Petite Ovals and Petite Scallop Ovals
and the adorable Chomp, Scrap-Mart's exclusive BossKut alligator. The inside of the card says "Later Gator!" We'll see how long it takes him to find the card!

We hope you had a great weekend! There will be no sketch this Friday, GASP!!!, but no worries! I have something special in store for you! So, participants of last Friday's sketch will be showcased on Wednesday! And, if that's not enough we have a special release tomorrow! I promise, you won't want to miss it! See you right back here tomorrow morning!

Katie