Cord Scrapbook Studio

TWO DAYS LEFT!

There are only TWO DAYS LEFT to take advantage of the lowest price EVER on the amazing Silhouette Cameo!  MSRP on this guy is $299.99--our everyday price being $269.99. But with this coupon, you save an ADDITIONAL $50, making this one heck of a deal!

Simply click on the image above to print your copy of the exclusive coupon included in our April eNewsletter and redeem it in stores by the close of business April 30th, 2013!

Then, stock up on machine materials and accessories with these!
(Simply click to print)

For more great coupons and offers, make sure you're subscribed to our monthly eNewsletter! New coupons for every week each month--save on paper collections, adhesives or tools and MORE!

Here's to scrappin' and savin'!

Lawn Fawn's "Summertime" w/ Guest: Martha Dafnos

Those of you who frequent our Indianapolis (Nora) location have most likely seen the work of Martha Dafnos around the store. Martha's one of our Certified Copic Instructors, offering a variety of Copic-themed classes and workshops each month!

  

Martha's put together a special card-making treat for us using the above coordinating stamps and "Lawn Cuts" dies from Lawn Fawn's "Summertime Charm" collection! Items are making their way to the store now, so if you're inspired by what you see--just give the Nora gals a buzz and tell them to hold a set for you! Trust me--these will go fast!

 
"Thanks" Card by Martha Dafnos

Supplies Used:
    Lawn Fawn Summertime Charm Stamp Set & Cutting Dies
    Copic Markers: RV13, YR15, Y15, V04, B000, Spica Glitter - Clear
    Doodlebug Flower Box Paper: Tiny Tulips/Green Dots
    We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper
    Other: Pop Dots, Scallop Label Punch

From Martha:
"Lawn Fawn's Summertime Charm will easily become one of my favorite stamp sets! There are so many possibilities for cards, page layouts, labels and tags! Creating a jar full of blossoms is easy.

1. Stamp the jar image in the corner of a piece of X-Press It Copic Paper cut to 4.25" x 5.5".  Stamp flower blooms filling the jar, a few falling out and several on a smaller piece of paper to color, cut and pop dot on green paper cut to create grass.

2. Mount on a side-fold card measuring 4.5" x 5.75". Attach small blooms in various spots on the grass and coming out of the jar. Lightly color the background or mask the jar and flowers and fill with Copic Airbrush!

3. Stamp your sentiment and you're done!"

"You Brighten My Day" Card by Martha Dafnos

Supplies Used:
    Lawn Fawn Summertime Charm Stamp Set & Cutting Dies
    Copic Markers: B000, Y19, E84, T0, T3, Spica Glitter - Clear
    Authentique Renew 8x8 Bundle
    Other: Twine, Black Gems

From Martha:
"You brighten my day with fireflies... stars or hearts! Fill the jar with an image from the set, add a stamped border or banner strip and embellish with gems or tiny brads! Paper piece a background and accent with twine or ribbon--so quick and easy!

Thanks for sharing these Lawn Fawn projects, Martha!

For information on Martha's upcoming Copic classes (including Airbrushing), please contact Cord Scrapbook Studio Nora or pick up a class calendar the next time you're in the store!

Happy Scrappin'!

Authentique Grace w/ Vicki Harper

Scrapbooking Coordinator and talented scrapper Vicki Harper has crafted a couple of new layouts for us to share with you today--both of them featuring Authentique Paper's "Grace" collection (available in stores now!)

With Mother's Day coming up soon, this is the perfect Spring-y collection for documenting those special Mother, Daughter, Sister and Friend relationships!

"Mother" Layout by Vicki Harper, Scrapbook Studio - Nora

Supplies Used:
    Authentique "Grace" Paper: Poised, Humble, Foundations
    Authentique "Grace" Details Stickers
    Authentique "Grace" Components
    Authentique "Grace" Puzzle Pieces
    Other: Black Journaling Pen, Black Ink, Foam Adhesive

"My Girls" Layout by Vicki Harper, Scrapbook Studio - Nora

Supplies Used:
    Authentique "Grace" Paper: Beauty, Poised, Heart, Humble, Delicate
    Authentique "Grace" Components
    Authentique "Grace" Element Stickers
    Authentique "Grace" Details Stickers
    Other: May Arts Ribbon, Foam Adhesive, Black Journaling Pen, Black Ink

The "Grace" collection is just ONE of the many new collections we've received from Authentique Paper! In fact, new lines roll in each month! To preview the latest and greatest from Authentique and take in a little inspiration using their gorgeous paper lines, check out the Authentique Blog and/or Facebook page! 

Happy Scrappin'!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Whew... there's quite a few cobwebs here on the ol' blog, eh?

Thankfully, a quiet blog isn't a reflection of things quieting down all-around!! We've been busy these last couple of months placing orders for new product from CHA releases, planning events for the coming year and adjusting to some changes taking place behind the scenes (maternity leave, new team members, a new website, etc, etc.) It is our hope to return to regular blog posts, Facebook feeds, Pinterest content and more very SOON!

In the meantime, in celebration of this hobby we all LOVE as well as for this lovey-dovey Valentine's Day, we have a few cards to share with you from Design Team 2012 member Celeste Brodnik!  

These LOVEly cards were created using Authentique Paper's "Lovely" collection, available in stores now. In fact, if you happen to mention this blog post while shopping in stores through Sunday, February 17th, you'll SAVE 50% on the Lovely collection! Honest!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today, folks! We'll get a little Spring cleaning done in here, clear out these nasty cobwebs and be back with more design inspiration, new product updates, sketchy recipes, contests and challenges and MORE! All in good time...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Peaceful

Authentique's "Peaceful" winter collection has slowly evolved into one of my favorite paper lines this year. But, I may be a bit partial given that I had a wintery, December wedding with photos that have yet to be scrapped and when this paper line came along... well, I anxiously snatched up a pack!

Design Team Member Janet Zeppa has also done a little "playing" with this festive, wintery line... here's what she came up with!

"Freezin'" Layout by Janet Zeppa

Supplies Used:
    Authentique Peaceful Paper: Warmth, Cozy, Frost, Solitude
    Authentique Peaceful Details Cardstock Stickers
    Authentique Peaceful Elements Cardstock Stickers
    American Crafts Thickers
    Mister Huey's Mist
    Studio Calico Wood Veneer Shapes
    Distress Ink
    Other: Cardstock, Alphas, Punches

"A Little Birdie" Card by Janet Zeppa

Supplies Used:
    Authentique Peaceful Paper: Freeze, Cozy, Warmth
    Authentique Peaceful Details Cardstock Stickers
    Stickles
    Distress Ink
    Other: Cardstock, Brads, Ribbon

We're coming to the end of our Design Team submissions for the year... haven't these ladies done a WONDERFUL job?! They're the best...

Have a great weekend!

Let's Talk Scraps w/ Special Guest Mary Pat Siehl

Today's guest feature is brought to you by Design Team Member and blogger, Mary Pat Siehl! To see more of Mary Pat's work, visit her blog here.

Hi Everyone!
Mary Pat here with you on the Scrapbook Studio Blog and today I want to talk about scraps!  What do you do with them?  Do you throw them away?  Do you keep them in a scrap basket?  Do you use them?   

Well... I am here to help you!  See... I save ALL of my scraps.  No scrap is too small for me to keep.  I also keep all my scraps together with the paper collection.  Now...  what to do with all these scraps.  Here's a few suggestions for you...

This past Fall I was very fortunate to work on some projects for Cord using the awesome Jillibean Soup Winter Tortellini & Spinach collection.  I made several projects and then I had a bag left over with tons of scraps.   So the first thing I usually do with scraps is to make a card(s).  This is an easy way to use up a lot of scraps.  I NEVER cut into a beautiful full piece of paper for a card!

Here's an example of a card made using my Winter Tortellini scraps...

Now with my scraps I also decided to get a jump on my holiday tags.  I made a bunch of tags that I will use on my packages and gift bags for the holidays. This is where even the smallest bit a paper can come in handy!  And you don't just have to place these tags on gifts--you can use them on cards, home decor or scrapbook pages.  They are really very versatile!  

The next thing I like to do with my scraps is to make my own embellishments!  Do you love the look of all those layered and fun embellishments that go with the collections?  I know I do but sometimes those "extras" aren't in your budget.  So you can use your scraps to make fabulous embellishments!!  All you need is a couple of punches and you are set to go. 

Here is a look at several of the embellishment clusters that I made using some circle punches, foam tape and other things you have in your stash.  I simply cut various sizes of circles and layered them using foam tape.  Really you can use whatever you have.  No need to go out and buy extras!

 

You can use these embellishments on other projects, cards, tags, scrapbook pages, home decor, etc. They're so much fun and totally customized for whatever project you're working on!  

After working with all of these my scrap bag no longer existed!  And I hope seeing just a few of the ways I work to use up my scraps has inspired you to save stretch your dollar as well and to use up YOUR scrap stash!

Happy Scrappin'!
mp

Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup

I woke up this morning to a bit of snow sprinkled on the rooftops in my neighborhood--finally! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And what better way to "celebrate" than with a warm & festive helping of hearty Jiilibean Soup and a little papercrafting, eh?

Design Team Members Mary Pat Siehl and Janet Zeppa have cooked up some pretty nifty projects using The Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup collection from Jillibean Soup--let's take a look, shall we?

Altered Canvas by Mary Pat Siehl

Supplies Used:
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Paper: Cheese Tortellini, Fresh Baby Spinach, 
            Garlic Flakes, Fresh Basil, Frozen Peas
    Jillibean Soup Epoxy Buttons
    Jillibean Soup Baker's Twine
    Other: Mist, Buttons

"Merry Christmas" Card by Mary Pat Siehl

Supplies Used:
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup Paper: Frozen Peas, Fresh Basil
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Cardstock Stickers
    Jillibean Soup Staples II Paper
    Jillibean Soup Baker's Twine
    Other: Pearls

"Christmas Cookies for You Santa" Layout by Mary Pat Siehl

Supplies Used:
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup Paper: Fresh Basil, Garlic Flakes, Italian
            Stewed Tomatoes
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Pea Pod Parts (Die-Cuts)
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Cardstock Stickers
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup Labels Stickers
    Jillibean Soup Staples II Paper
    Jillibean Soup Wooden Flags (For You)
    Hero Arts Stamps & Ink
    Silhouette Cameo (Overlay)
    Other: Pearls, Sewing Machine

Doily Christmas Card by Mary Pat Siehl

Supplies Used:
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup Paper: Frozen Peas, Garlic Flakes
            Cheese Tortellini
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup Cardstock Stickers
    Other: Lace Doily, Border Punch

"Christmas Morning" Layout by Mary Pat Siehl

Supplies Used:
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Paper: Frozen Peas, Garlic Flakes, Cheese
            Tortellini, Fresh Basil, Bite Size Bits
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Pea Pod Parts (Die-Cuts)
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Cardstock Stickers
    Jillibean Soup Staples II Paper
    Jillibean Soup Alphabeans Cardstock Stickers: Navy
    Jillibean Soup Baker's Twine
    Mister Huey's Mist

Bingo Card by Janet Zeppa

Supplies Used:
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup Paper: Fresh Basil, Fresh Baby Spinach
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup Pea Pod Parts (Die-Cuts)
    Jillibean Soup Staples II Paper
    Jillibean Soup Sugar Picks
    Other: Cardstock, Pearls, Punches

"Holiday Memories" Layout by Janet Zeppa

Supplies Used:
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Paper: Garlic Flakes, Fresh Basil, Frozen Peas
            Bite Size Bits
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Pea Pod Parts (Die-Cuts)
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup Labels Stickers
    Jillibean Soup Staples II Paper
    Jillibean Soup Hexies Stickers
    Jillibean Soup Sugar Picks
    Silhouette Cameo
    Cardstock

"Thinking of You" Card by Janet Zeppa

Supplies Used:
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup Paper: Fresh Baby Spinach,
            Garlic Flakes
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Cardstock Stickers
    Jillibean Soup Wooden Flags
    Jillibean Soup Baker's Twine
    Copic Markers
    Other: Cardstock, Peals, Punches

"Santa Wish" Layout by Janet Zeppa

Supplies Used:
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup Paper: Fresh Baby Spinach, Frozen Peas,
            Stewed Tomatoes, Cheese Tortellini, Garlic Flakes, Fresh Basil,
            Bite Size Bits
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Pea Pod Parts (Die-Cuts)
    Winter Tortellini & Spinach Cardstock Stickers
    Jillibean Soup Baker's Twine
    Memento Ink
    Copic Markers
    Stickles
    Silhouette Cameo
    Other: Punches, Brads, Stamps, Sewing Machine

I'm pretty sure it won't be a white Christmas this year, but the snow-belter inside me can't help but wish it were so. There's just something about snow that makes the whole holiday season seem much more festive and real! Oh well... at least these DT projects leave me something to look forward to!

Happy Scrappin'

Guest Post: Christmas Cards w/ Vicki

Here to inspire you to get-a-movin' with your holiday card-making is special guest Vicki Harper, the scrapbooking coordinator at our Indianapolis (Nora) location. Vicki teaches a variety of both scrapbooking and card-making classes and is a wonderful asset to our creative team! Thanks for sharing your tips, Vicki!

  

Many of you LOVE to make cards--including Christmas Cards for those special friends and family members on your holiday card list! I have some suggestions and tips for this annual Christmas card making event...especially if you are struggling with design, when to start, etc.

 

First, determine how many cards you plan to make.  I made over 40 cards last year!  Not only cards ... but Copic -colored cards and yes--I colored all 40!  Call me crazy but it was fun, and I plan on doing it again this year! 

 

After you determine the amount, then decide whether to want to make them all the same or make several different designs? Do you want to keep them simple or do you want to take them over the top?

 

Choosing to make all 40 of my cards the same last year did get a little boring at times, but I approached it as a assembly line, which made things SO MUCH easier! Here's a quick look at my process...

     

       1.  Choose a design.  This part may be the most difficult task for you, so here's a tip--USE SKETCHES! Nowadays, many blogs have [free] sketches such as:  Tuesday Morning Sketches,  CPS (Card Positioning Systems) or for those who prefer to have something in print, there are several Sketch books which you can purchase at your local Cord Scrapbook Studio, like those from Scrapbook Generation! In addition to what's already out there, you can always create your own sketch!

  

        2.  Next, choose your paper.  There is a wide variety of Christmas papers out there!  You can go with something elegant, whimsical, traditional--just look at your sketch and see how many pieces you may need and go from there! Personally, I like to choose a pattern, a stripe, and a circle with patterned paper with a couple sheets of cardstock to accent.

 

        3.  Now, choose your embellishments and sentiments. Are you going to stamp?  Are you going to color with Copics?  Will you need any additional embellishments like ribbon, twine, and/or bling?  

 

         4. With your plan in place, it's time to get started!  Gather up all of your supplies:  cards, adhesive, foam adhesive, glue dots, patterened papers and accent papers, and last but least your paper trimmer.  After all supplies are gathered, cut all the pieces you need--for example: 40 of the card topper, 40 mats, 40 strips, etc.  Make one demo card and then assemble all the rest in order! I have found that is goes quicker this way than doing one card at a time. 

 

Here's a few additional tips & suggestions: 

**Make this a family event!  Have family members help with the assembly!  This could become a new "Family Christmas Tradition"!

 

**Depending on how many layers you have or the embellishments you add your postage rate may increase.  I always take mine to the postoffice and have them weighed.  Depending on the embellishments you may have to have the cards hand stamped!

 

**Depending again on the design sometimes I make my card slightly smaller than the envelope so all my wonderful embellishments will fit easily into the envelope!

 

**I like to start making my cards at the beginning of November so I will have a month or so to complete my cards, but it's never too late to get started! Just stick with your plan!

 

Most of all have fun!!!

Whelp, that's Christmas Card-making in a nutshell! Now, time for us procrastinators to finalize our plan, put in a holiday flick and get to work on the ol' assembly line! Happy Scrappin'!

Once Upon a Christmas

I just finished wrapping up 25 different children's books for my daughter to read--one for each day leading up to Christmas and a special one for Christmas Day. I've been collecting them little by little over the years, just waiting for the first Christmas she'd be able to read most of them on her own. We're big readers at my house--nothing beats a good story.

Unfortunately, our family's best stories remain "stuck" inside boxes of half-finished layouts or layouts waiting to be placed into albums because admittedly, I haven't been so good about keeping my albums updated and on shelves for my family to open up and share. (I smell a New Year's Resolution... you?)

Anyhoo... I suppose none of that's really related to this post except that the title of today's featured collection reminded me of storytelling and how my job as the storyteller/scrapbooker of my family is an important one--one I cherish! Big moments, little moments--I just love that we have the ability to capture our most treasured memories with this craft!

So without further adieu (a.k.a. babbling), I bring you Little Yellow Bicycle's "Once Upon a Christmas" with a variety of projects from Design Team Member Mary Pat Siehl!

"Hello Christmas" Layout by Mary Pat Siehl

 
Paper Gift Boxes by Mary Pat Siehl

"Merry Christmas" Card by Mary Pat Siehl

There's nothing like fresh holiday inspiration and a roll of red and white "ho ho ho" wrapping paper to put one (read: me) in the Christmas spirit!

And as for what I was babbling about a minute ago... I hope that in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, you too will embrace this valuable role in telling YOUR family's story--whether it's Christmas memories or otherwise!

Happy Scrappin'!

December Daily 2012, Part One w/ Guest Blogger Mary Pat

Cord Scrapbook Studio welcomes back special guest, Design Team Member and creative blogger Mary Pat Siehl (Siehled With a Kiss) as she walks us through her December Daily process! Thanks for joining us, Mary Pat!

Hey Everyone! Mary Pat here again with you today!

The buzz around the scrapbooking world this time of year is the December Daily.  Have you heard of it?  A "December Daily" is an album project that documents 25 days of December. The album is a wonderful way to share and to celebrate your family's traditions and happenings during the holiday season! 

I have been wanting to make one for the last couple of years but it was always so hard to choose a kit and they can be VERY expensive.  But, I shopped around a lot this year and decided to start my own using the wonderful new Simple Stories Sn@p collection!  Also, Simple Stories has a line called "Handmade Holiday" that works well with the Sn@p albums and page protectors!  So I decided to share my thoughts and how I am going to create my December Daily using these products with everyone here at the Scrapbook Studio.  So If you want to join me feel free to and I think we can have a lot of fun together!

Step 1- The first thing you need to do is to start the set up of your December Daily BEFORE December 1st.  This way you will be ready to go and you don't have to worry about the little things as you go along.  Simply gather up your supplies and keep them all together.  Here is my supply list that I will be
using, so if you want to run into the nearest Cord store to pick up all the goodies... you can!

(All from Simple Stories)
Sn@p 6x8 album
Sn@p pocket pages - I am going to use the 6x8 Mulit Pack Refills
Handmade Holiday 6x8 Sn@p Journaling Insert Pages
Handmade Holiday 3x4 Sn@p Cards 
Handmade Holiday 12x12 collection pack
Handmade Holiday Countdown Cardstock Stickers

(Other)
Various stamps, buttons, twine, and other embellishments

I have all my supplies in an old shoe box so that I can have everything I need all in one place instead of searching for things.  This is supposed to be a fun and stress free album--Organizing is the first step!

Step 2 is to set up your album with the page protectors.  (Note: My album is still on order so what I have done is pulled my page protectors out and I am using a jump ring to hold them all together so that I can work on step 3 - setting up your pages.) I have used one of the 6x8 Sn@p Pages to be my opening page.  The flip side is a calendar that I will fill in along the way throughout the month.

Step 3-  Now the fun can begin!  It will be a lot easier for you if you can set up your 25 pages before December starts.  This gives you a couple of weeks to get going.  The page protectors and the premade cards are so helpful--I basically just filled in my page protectors and left areas for my photos and journaling. Now I can go back in and add more embellishments once I know what my photo is for that day. 

  
 
 
 

Now that you have an idea on how to start your December Daily, let's talk about prompts!  25 days can be a long time so I have some fun ideas to get you through the first part of the month...
 
1.  photo with santa
2.  setting up the decorations
3.  shopping for presents
4.  your favorite ornament and why you love it so
5.  your child's favorite ornament and why
6.  making cookies
7.  making a gingerbread house
8. making a list for santa
9.  a holiday party
10.  a favorite holiday book

Those are some fun ideas!  It at least gives you a starting point! 

Now if you have any questions please feel free to post them on the Scrapbook Studio Facebook page.  I will be checking in and posting some of my photos.  Leave a question and I will get back to you!  I think we are going to have a fun time together!!

Also if you start your DD- please post photos on the Facebook page we would love to see some inspiration!   Remember this is supposed to be a fun way to capture the joy of the season!  So let's have fun!

I will be back at the start of December to check in to see how you are doing, to share some more of my finished and unfinished pages, suggest a few more prompts and to answer any questions that you may have!  See you then!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Have a wonderful and crafty day!
mp

For more information on the "December Daily" concept, visit Ali Edwards' Blog where you'll find introductions as well as photos and details on the last several years' worth of albums she's put together! 

For even MORE inspiration and to see a few December Daily albums using the Simple Stories Handmade Holidays and Sn@p collections, check out the blog hop over on the Simple Stories blog! We trust you'll be inspired!!