New Feature: Page Starters

Happy Friday friends!  With the weekend just hours away, it is the perfect time to introduce a new feature here on The ScrapRoom blog called Page Starters.

Each month I'll post the directions to get you started on a scrapbook layout.  I'll show you an example and then leave you to finish it up with whatever photos, papers, and embellishments work for you.  That's it!

May's Page Starter

And here's what you'll need to get your page started.  First, you need a sheet of card stock and three or more patterned papers.  Then, you'll need to make the following cuts:

1.  9.25" x 10"

2.   5.5" x 12"

3.   .15" x 12"

4.   .25" x 12"

5.   .75" x 12"

Now you're ready to start adhering the paper to the page.  Here are the directions for placing the patterned paper.

1.  The large block has rounded corners and is 1" from the top and right edges.  

2.  The 5.5" x 12" strip is 3.5" from the top edge.

3.  The .25" strip is above and the .15" and .75" strips are below the 5.5" strip.  

Finally, you will add your photos and embellishments.  This part is completely up to you.  There is no set limit to the number of photos or no set placement for them.  Also, you can use whatever embellishments you like, wherever you want to place them on the layout.  

Here's one way that you could finish the May Page Starter.  For this layout, I used Fancy Pants' Be You papers and embellishments, a 5" x 5" and a 2" x 3" photo.

Smile

I'll be back in a week or so to show you another finished layout, the one I started up top.  In the meantime, I'd love to see what you do with the May Page Starter.  Link up your completed layout to the bottom of this post by Thursday, May 31st for your chance at a $10 Gift Certificate to the TSR Store.  

For Mom

Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 13th.  And today, I have three ideas from our Design Team and Member Gallery to help you finish off your gift.

Gift Bag and Tag by Brenda

This is such a genius idea!  Repurpose a shopping bag by adding some beautiful SEI Field Notes paper.  Then create a tag with some Fancy Pants paper, a butterfly die cut, and some ribbon.  Pop your gift in and you're all set to wow Mom.

Happy Mother's Day Card by Jenny

What a beautiful card!  Jenny used her Silhouette SD to cut the design for the front of this card.  She found the free cut file at THIS blog.  If you don't have a Silhouette, you could use another die cut machine and a similar cut image to get the peek through effect of her card.  You could even use laser cut paper or punches.  I'm sure however you put it together, it would make Mom smile.

Mom, You are Truly Amazing by Tamika

I just love the color scheme that Tamika used on this beautiful card.  The red rose and vertical MOM just jump off the card.  And what a sweet sentiment!  

Happy Scrapping and Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

DT Inspiration: Teacher Appreciation Pins

Hello everyone-

The month of May is an exciting and busy one for sure, but don't forget that it's also Teacher Appreciation time! As a preschool teacher myself, I can honestly say that teachers truly appreciate the little gestures of gratitude from their students and students' parents.

I've been browsing the web, trying to find some ideas on teachers' gifts using scrapbook supplies. Pinterest, of course, is my favorite place to look for creative ideas online, and I have found some cute projects using scrapbook supplies to create gifts for my boys' teachers. :)

First up, I found these adorable (and easy!) cookie containers using Pringles cans, scrapbook paper, and ribbon:

How cute are those?! And surely everybody likes cookies, right? ;)

Next, I love these cute and functional Post-It note holders:

I am always trying to find a piece of paper to jot down a quick note or reminder in my classroom, and these would just be so perfect for that! All they take is a clear photo frame, some scrapbook paper, and a couple of embellishments!

And lastly, let's not forget the "Keep Calm & Carry On" trend! I have seen numerous ideas using the "Keep Calm" phrase, and I am in love with this "Keep Calm & Teach On" altered frame! It's a great reminder for teachers, especially on those hectic and crazy days (trust me, I teach 2 and 3-year-olds...I could use this reminder daily! LOL)

Using some leftover scrapbook supplies, it would be so super easy to create a cute little frame like this! Tie a pencil on the side of the frame, add the sentiment in the middle of the frame, and you're all done!

Don't forget the teachers in your childrens' lives this month. They work countless hours, even before and after the school bell has rung, to make sure that your child gains knowledge and succeeds in life. I hope you will take a few minutes to sit down at your scrap table, pull out your leftovers, and share a little happiness with the lovely men and women who are educators. :)

Jenny

Trend Spotting: Chevrons

Chevron stripes are popping up everywhere.  Here are just a few pictures that I found while surfing the web.

You know where else you can see chevron stripes?  At The ScrapRoom, of course.  Here are a few paper samples from our recent kits.

Here's an example of a paper-pieced chevron from this month's Idea Gallery.  Our Guest Designer Theresa created an amazing example of chevron stripes on this fun card.

Just An Ordinary Day

And, lastly, here's another example from our Member Gallery.  Diane used THIS tutorial from the Lily Bee blog to create chevron stripes on a layout.

You May Kiss the Bride by Diane

So, are you a fan of the chevron stripe?  Are you looking forward to using it on your TSR layouts this month?  Be sure to upload your layouts into our Member Gallery HERE so we can all ooohhh and ahhhh at your trendy projects!