design each moment

Christmas Memories

Welcome to my first monthly installment of Think Inside the Box.  Each month I will feature a new layout or project and 1-2 cards using the Mosaic Moments Grid Papers and Paper Tiles.

  

This year I decided I was going to give gifts to family members that were from the heart. Every year we always have a hard time shopping for our adult family members. I was working on a few other projects when I had the idea to use old Christmas photos to give as gifts this year.

 

Money is tight for many of us this year, why not make a gift that is just as valuable as one you could have purchased.

 

For this months project I chose photos of my husband and his new bike when he was eight years old. I scanned the photos and made re-prints, slightly cropping the photo to give me a 3x3 square. To save on the printing costs I had two 3x3 photos printed on one 4x6 photo sheet. I told the person that would be printing the photos what I had done so they did not try to alter the photo during the finishing process. Now all I had to do is trim off the one inch border at the top; then, cut the photos into one inch squares with my x-acto knife and Mosaic Moments Mat.

 

   

I wanted to make an 8x8 layout using Brick as my background; however, Brick Grid Paper does not come in the standard 8x8 size. Here’s my solution, I took the 12x12 Grid Paper counted six squares across and six squares down, and trimmed the Grid Paper to 1/8 inch on all four sides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I plan on making an 8x8 Christmas album for my husband with the photos we received after his mother passed away. Each of the siblings went through the family photo albums and took the photos that meant the most to them. These are just a few of what he chose. I'll share more of my creations in future posts.

 

With left overs from the Brick Grid Paper, I cut a piece that was 3 squares high by 5 squares wide. This fits perfectly on the front of a standard A4 card. Using the Mosaic Moments cutting mat and x-acto knife I cut scraps of pattern paper  1 inch by 5 1/2 and  2 1/8 by 5 1/2. Then I trimmed the bottom of the card with the scallop border punch, adhered the pattern paper to the Brick Grid Paper, added the ribbon, inked the scallop edge then adhered to the front of the card. Next stamp sentiment on Ivory square adhere to scallop square attach with pop dots.

 

 

 

Supplies used: Mosaic Moments Grid Paper, Paper Tiles, Pattern paper Basic Grey, Border Punch Fiskars, Square Punches McGill Inc.

 

 I hope you have enjoyed this months Think inside the Box project ideas. You can visit my blog here to see other projects I add using the Mosaic Moments product line over the next few weeks.

 

See you next month!

Janine

Think Inside the Box with Janine

Please join me and welcome a new face at Wish in the Wind!

Janine and I met many years ago, through an online group for scrapbook store owners. We all chatted and shared ideas regularly via e-mail and met in person annually at the CHA show.

After nine years of daily store operations, Janine decided to close her shop in 2006 to spend more time with family and support her son in motocross competitions. Though her daily routine changed, she has continued to be involved in the scrapbook industry. She is currently creating for Wish in the Wind, McGill Inc. and Clearly Clever.

When she is not designing you can find her with family at one of the many Motocross tracks across the southeast, reading, volunteering at school or working in the yard.

 

A few fun facts about Janine:

• Janine has always wanted to: be a teacher
• The last book she read was: Eclipse
• Janine always has: A1 steak sauce in her refrigerator.
• She is the middle child in her family with 1 brother and 1 sister.
• In Janine's purse you will always find: The Naked Bee Lip Balm
• Her favorite room in her house is: the family room because this is the room we gather in when family and friends come over during the holidays and social get togethers.
• Janine is addicted to: paper crafting and sweet tea.
• When Janine wants to laugh she watches: Saturday Night Live.
• Something we should know about Janine is: she loves to organize stuff.

A little sneak preview of Janine's work:

Fall harvest page created on Mosaic Moments 12x12 Forest Grid Paper. Additional supplies: Tami Potter Clearly Autumn clear stamps, Cloud 9 Patterned paper, EK Success Alphabet punches.

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stamps used on cards: Clearly Autumn design by Tami Potter available at snapncrop.com

Note from Janine:

I hope you will join me as I show you how to Think inside the Box with Mosaic Moments. Watch for ways to use the Mosaic Moments Paper Tiles, Grid Paper and clear stamps with cards, scrapbook pages and various other items.

You can find Janine's creative ideas each month on Design Each Moment - (category: "Think Inside the Box with Janine.")

Mixed Media Monday

I discovered the world of Mixed Media a couple of years ago. I had always loved the look in the past but was sure I can't do that. 

Then I learned The Rule of mixed media.  There are no rules and YES, you can. 

If you can cover a surface with paint, stamp, and glue - you can do mixed media.  It is all about personal expression and not about fine art skills. I was inspired by Donna Downey who was trying all kinds of new things with paint, canvas and fabric and posting on her blog. She shared her learning process, doubts and newly learned skills.  I watched her and knew - heck, I can play too. And I am going to be courageous and post everything on my blog not matter what the result. No judgement, just explore.  Hello, new world.

This is an 8x8 canvas (I get mine from Dick Blick) but you can also go to WalMart, Michael's, JoAnn's etc. and buy whatever small size they have.

• Pick a photo that you love with great colors.
• Choose 2 colors from the photo. I chose orange and blue. Grab those paints (craft paint is fine).
• Grab a couple of large foam stamps (super cheap at craft stores) - rubber stamps don't do well on the mounted canvas because the surface has too much give.
• Choose a piece of Grid Paper. I used the new Toffee color. Check out the 3 pack of colors (Toffee, Birch, Topaz)- gorgeous!
• Cut your photo into 1x1 squares and use part of the picture. Tear out the section of the grid paper you covered with the photo pieces.
• Paint the canvas - have fun with it.   Stamp on it.
• When it is dry - glue the grid paper on. I used gel medium - use whatever you have.

Rip out a page from an old book (thrift store - garage sale books cost a quarter) or use a text patterned paper and tear a section and glue to your surface. I used gel medium - use whatever you have.

Add more paint as desired to blend in elements.

Stamp/write/find a quote you like.

You are done and you just created mixed media!  Now share it with us.  Post a link in the comments or email a photo.  Congratulations! 

A pro at this?  We want to see your too.  Please share.

Next week, I am starting a special series of holiday crafting, gifts and cards.

Sandi Keene

Mini Album Monday

Welcome to Mini-album Momday. I love mini albums for the freedom they offer. I do not use any page protectors on minis so I can do whatever I want, both size wise and dimensionally. They are quick, uber-creative and great gifts.  I have a wicker basket that house my minis for access and portability. 

This album starts with an acrylic cover. Acrylic gives you the opportunity to layer embellishments in such a fun way. The title is on the cover along with a decorative strip of patterned paper along the binding edge.

I started with 8x8 Grid Paper. My center photo is matted on a white Paper Tile which covers 4x4 squares (4 3/8" x 4 3/8"). I cropped my photo just slightly smaller to fit.

This leaves an 1" square border all the way around to fill with a mosaic of patterned papers (Heidi Swapp).

The reverse side of grid papers are solid leaving you a blank canvas for your next page.

I wanted to use varying sizes for that layered interest. I switched to 6x6 Grid Paper which was perfect for my resort page with smaller photos and journaling block.  I stapled on a folder tab made with a McGill punch and pink patterned paper.

I cropped my photo just slightly and added a journaling block for this page.

This page was lots of fun to make. I started with an 8x8 Grid Paper which I covered with 1" squares cut from 3 patterned papers (Marcella by K & Co. found at Target) and randomly placed. I stapled a Heidi Swapp clock face overlay on top of the grid paper and trimmed around the circle. You may need to add adhesive to those little corners along the edges so watch for that as you trim. I positioned the clock halfway off the paper and embellished the background paper with a paper strip, flower and jewels.

Close up

I covered the reverse of the page with a pink houndstooth paper (Heidi Swapp) and added a journaling list block. Lists are becoming one of my favorite way to record details. I love lists which you know if you have ever visited my blog.

This is the inside back cover. I cut the patterned paper (Heidi again) 8x11 and wrapped the paper around the side and onto the back. I learned this great tip from Kolette Hall in a class at Creative Escape. I also added a strip of tulle (folded in half, bunched together at the base and then stapled to hold in place) under my "spoiled" embellishment.  I glue dotted the tulle to the back of the embellie and used dimensional dots to attach to the page.

Add a strip of black cardstock and pink polka dot ribbon to finish. The book was bound using a Crop-A-Dile to punch holes (even in the acrylic) and then book rings added.

Sneak Peek - next week.

Mixed Media!

See you next week-

Sandi Keene

Funky Art Calendar

Click to enlarge

Do you journal, art journal or keep a calendar? I enjoy all three and have done each at different times. I really liked the idea of starting with Mosaic Moments Calendar Pages and taking it to the pinked out, blinged up max.

Each day I added something that would symbolize that day.  Sometimes it was a photo resized in Photoshop to 1.25" square or stamped a word, added a sticker, or an embellishment just for fun (as on the 3rd which was a Spa day for me at Creative Escape - the bling crown seemed appropriate!). I added the date numbers on the squares after I decided what to put in the square - I stamped the ones where there was room and left the others numberless.  Stamping the numbers first would work as well.

I wanted my calendar pink and girly so I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink- Worn Lipstick and a Heidi Swapp butterfly mask. 

I used a very old paintbrush as a stipple brush.  You just tap into the ink and pounce it on your paper (like stenciling).

When you are happy with the color and coverage, peel off the mask and move it to the other side of the calendar page.  (You could also use large punches for a mask, cut out a pattern from a patterned paper - like a large flourish, flower or bird or whatever creative idea you come up with!)

Repeat process on the other side.

Tami's Clearly Numbers Clear Stamps are the perfect size for the calendar.  I used Heidi Swapp's new alphabet clear stamps for "september" because I love the font! Oh, and that black frame around the photo of my daughter on the 22nd is a Cornerstone - Art Deco.  This is my all time favorite cornerstone that I use as a mini frame.  I like to always have a few on hand.

So, what do you think?  Questions?  Join us in the comment section - please, don't just lurk!  I want to hear what you are thinking!

Next week -

Mini Album Monday! Multiple sizes of grid paper, acrylic and overlays - oh, my!

There might even be ribbon and TULLE.

Welcome to Mosaic Monday!

I am so excited to start Mosaic Mondays.  I have lots of projects that I can't wait to share with you.  Let's get started...

COLOR INSPIRATION

Mosaics can start with a favorite photo, a wonderful outdoor setting or a stack of pictures just screaming to be merged together into a fabulous mosaic.  We are going to talk about color.  Who doesn't respond to gorgeous saturated colors?

I was recently in Arizona for the first time.  I was so excited to get to go out west as I am an East Coast girl.  My nose was pressed against the airplane window looking at the landscapes and terrain that were definitely different than what I was used to.  When my travel partner asked me to go to the Desert Botanical Gardens, I was curious to see what a desert garden would look like.

I took many pictures but one picture jumped out of the stack.

   

The colors of the flowers in the foreground against the blurred color of the cactus in the background were so beautiful to me.  The photo looked like I knew what I was doing instead of the snapped completely lucky shot that it truly was.  I had to celebrate that! I sent the photo file off to Costco and asked for my favorite enlargement size 8x 12. 

Then I chose a few colors to be my focal colors.

I went with this golden yellow, reddish orange and amethyst.  I also knew that I would slip in some of the pink tones as an accent color.  Had to!

I chose 12x12 Mosaic Moments Grid Paper in Black.  I knew those jewel tones would pop right off the black background and add depth to my project.  I love flowers on black mosaic paper - it just may be my favorite combination. My center photo covers 6 squares by 6 squares (6 5/8" x 6 5/8"). The rest of the photo area is covered wth one inch squares.  If you do not have 8 x 12 enlargements, you could also use a 8 x 10 and a couple of 4 X 6 to achieve a similar look.

I filled in the bottom of the mosaic with three colors of patterned paper (Daisy D's Gypsy Paisley collection) tearing and inking the torn edge and papers in random spots to add pink tones with Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Worn Lipstick). 

I added three glossy brads in the same colors, stamped the edges in a botanical flourish using black ink, stamped "Botanical", wrote "desert" and added an orange lacey cardstock edge at the bottom for added interest.

In case you are wondering what that gorgeous carribbean blue mat is behind my mosaic - it is the NEW Mosaic Moments Cutting Mat  WOW! Talk about color inspiration - if you are thinking about a cutting mat or want to add a new one to your collection of Mosaic  Moment Mats, I highly recommend this one.  All of the wonderful attributes of the old mat AND it is pretty just sitting on your scrap table!

Questions? Comments?  Please leave them for me in the comments section and I will respond within the comments section.  Let me know what colors or photos are speaking to you as Color Inspiration.

I will be back next Monday with a fun way to use the calendar pages - thanks for joining me!