DIY Crate Paper Chipboard Frame Tree

Hello crafty friends!

I'm way behind in my posts due to the holiday craze and the fact that we are renovating our main living area in our home right now so I apologize for the absence around here ;)

Anyway...I'm here today sharing a quick and easy DIY photo frame tree that I created using one of my favorite Crate Paper embellishments...chipboard frames!

I found the inspiration for this idea in one of my favorite home decor catalogs.  I just love how the photo frames are arranged like a tree and I knew that the Open Book Chipboard Frames would be perfect to help me mimic this idea with my craft supplies.

First, I chose the frames I wanted to use and arranged them in a "tree" shape.  Next, I printed off a few "holiday-themed" photos of my children to fit inside some of the chipboard frames.

Then I backed a few of the frames with patterned paper and a journaling card from the Notes & Things collection so I could add chipboard sticker embellishments and vellum shapes from the Open Book collection on top of them.

I used my hot glue gun to adhere the frames together, carefully overlapping each one.

I punched a hole at the top of the tree and placed some of my favorite red and white striped ribbon through the hole so I could hang the photo frame tree up, but it can also be leaned up against the wall or on top of a larger frame.

I want to wish you all a happy New Year!  Thanks for stopping by today!

Love This *Crate Paper*

Hello everyone!

I'm sharing this post over on the Crate Paper blog today...

I find that Pinterest is a great source to jumpstart my creativity.  When I'm in a scrappy rut (or just crunched for time), I search Pinterest and always find something that inspires my next project or creation.  I especially like searching for images that are all about composition.  Here is an image that inspired the layout that I have to share with you today...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/263249540694555962/

And here's my twist on it...

I started by printing my photos in a few different (square) sizes.  I found several pieces of patterned paper from the Open Book collection that complimented my photos and cut them into the same sized squares as the photos. 

Next, I cut the patterned paper squares in half diagonally and placed them around my photos and added several different embellishments from the Open Book collection on and around the triangles. 

I printed my journaling from my computer, cut it into thin strips, and added it underneath the photo of my daughter throwing leaves into the air.  

This next image I found on Pinterest inspired a simple card I created using items from the Open Book collection...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/263249540694555942/

I layered several of the scrap pieces of patterned paper from my layout above as a base for my card, which is a great way to use leftovers!  I added a few triangle shapes that point toward the chipboard "love you" sentiment form the Open Book collection and placed a few gold glitter hearts on top of the stitched triangles. 

My layout and card came together easily with a little help from my Pinterest search.  Be sure and follow the Crate Paper Pinterest Boards to help inspire your next layout or project.  

Thanks for stopping by today! 

Insta Fall *Crate Paper*

Hello!

I'm over on the Crate Paper blog today sharing a layout I created using some recent photos from my Instagram feed.  I noticed I have been taking several "shoe selfie" photos since the weather has changed in our area.  I only take photos like this on my phone and I always post them to my IG account so I thought this type of themed photo set would make a great page documenting the change of season.

I arranged my photos in a grid design around two 3x4 journaling cards from the Open Book collection in the middle of my page.  I placed a chipboard frame around the bottom left photo because it was the perfect size for my 2x2 photo.

I used the wood veneer alphas from the Notes & Things collection for part of my title and backed the letters with pieces of dark, wood grained patterned paper from the Open Book collection so they stand out a bit more on my layout.  

Next, I layered some ephemera and chipboard pieces from the Open Book collection on and around the two journaling cards.  I added a couple of rub-ons to the circle and the gold heart on the pink 3x4 card for some color contrast.  

I layered a couple of vellum flowers under one of the fabric brads from the Open Book collection and placed it on the right side of one of my photos to draw the eye around my page.  

The Open Book collection has so many great items that will pair well with any of your Instagram photos.  For some instant layout inspiration, just scroll through your IG photos and start printing! 

Have a great day! 

Crate Paper "Minimally Made" Tag Mini Album

Hello friends!

Lately, I've been striving to create with a more minimal and simple design in my projects.  I like digging through my stash and selecting only my favorite items and embellishments before I begin a project like this Tag Mini Album I created using the new Notes & Things collection from Crate Paper. 

I admit that mini albums used to send my stress meter soaring when I first started making them.  I would focus too much about materials and the size or the "theme" of the album and not enough time on what was really important, which were the photos and the memories that I wanted to document. 

I started choosing lots of mixed tags from the Notes & Things collection to begin my album.  I also used several journaling cards from the collection to mix up the page sizes of my mini album, which helps create a more layered look. 

I punched a small hole using a hole puncher in the top of each card so I could easily slip the journaling cards onto the metal ring holding the album together.  

I printed most of my photos out at 2x3 and 2x2 so I still had room for some minimal embellishing on the tags. 

Every few months I end up having lots of random photos of things on my computer that I love for one reason or another and that are usually uploaded to my Instagram feed.  I love to make a mini album now and then to keep those photos in their own special place, like I did here.  The Notes & Things collection was a perfect match for these photos because it isn't too "themed". 

I left some of the tags and journaling cards "as is" because they were perfect just the way they were for my mini.  

I used several of the chipboard frames from the collection, as well as some of the stickers to embellish some of the photos in my album.

Keeping it simple is such a great way to focus on the things that really matter, such as your favorite photos and the memories that go along with them.  A mini album doesn't have to be complicated or take up a lot of time to create...it just has to be filled with what you love and what is important to you. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day! 

Crate Life * Week 27*

Happy Friday!

Today I'm over on the Crate Paper blog sharing a peek into my creative process to show you how I put a weekly pocket page spread together using their newest collection, Notes & Things.

Here's a look at my completed Crate Life spread for Week 27...

Left Side:

Right Side:

I hope you stop by the CP blog to see my full post for more details and photos.  Have a great day and a fabulous weekend! 

xoxo

Embellished Tea Tin Teacher Gifts

Hello everyone!

I'm over on the Crate Paper blog sharing how I created these tea tin teacher gifts...perfect for back-to-school!

I found these adorable metal tins at my local craft store.  They had many different sizes and shapes available, but I chose these in particular because they had a clear plastic top.  I placed an assortment of different flavors of tea inside the tins which can be reused for storing small desktop items or more tea!

I embellished three tins, one for each of my children to give to their teachers on their first day back to school.  (To view the full post on how I created these tins, go here.)

This simple and easy teacher gift is perfect for starting the new school year off right!  Who doesn't love a nice cup of hot tea after a long day?  These tea tins could be handy for any small gift idea and are great for storing other small items.  

Thanks for stopping by today!  

Back-to-School Countdown Calendar

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I'm sharing this back-to-school countdown calendar on the Crate Paper blog today...

I chose some of my favorite journaling cards and embellishments from the Boys Rule collection and created this countdown to the first day of school.

I layered die cut pieces, chipboard frames and stickers, and an assortment of various alpha stickers and made a tag for each day.

I arranged the tags on an open frame that has wires to clip things to and used some of the Boys Rule printed clothespins to secure some of the cards.

I numbered the cards 1-10 and wrote a little activity on the back that we could do each day before school starts like "go on a picnic", "buy school supplies", and "go out for ice cream".

This countdown calendar is a fun way to get everyone ready for back to school.  It also provides a reason to get out and do the things on your summer bucket list that you may not have had a chance to do!

Thanks for stopping by...have a great day!