Cord Scrapbook Studio

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'

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!!

Apple Cider

Three days to Thanksgiving and I can already smell the pumpkin spice! MmMmMm... I can't wait! On the other hand, I can hardly believe its time has come! A lady at the grocery this morning wished me a Happy Thanksgiving and I was sort of taken aback--it's THIS week?! Really?! Whew!

Today I have some Autumn-inspired projects for you from Design Team Member Stephanie Matlack who's worked with this season's top-selling Bo Bunny Collection, "Apple Cider".

"Pumpkin Patch" Layout by Stephanie Matlack

Supplies Used:
    Bo Bunny Apple Cider Paper: Pumpkin Patch, Apple Cider
    Bo Bunny Apple Cider Layered Chipboard Stickers
    Bo Bunny Apple Cider "We Are Family" Cardstock Stickers
    Bazzill Cardstock
    Smooch Ink: Kiwi
    Floss

"Enjoy Life" Card by Stephanie Matlack

Supplies Used:
    Bo Bunny Apple Cider Paper: Orchard
    Bazzill Cardstock
    Pop Dots
    Color Box Chalk Ink
    Floss

Apple lover that I am, this collection just makes me want to gobble up a slice of apple pie and chase it down with a cup of mulled cider. YUM-O! Regardless of how quickly time flies by, I am definitely looking forward to Thursday's Turkey Day dinner--and dessert!

Happy Scrappin'!

A few things to be thankful for...

There are lots of things to be thankful for in this industry--one of them being the NUMEROUS scrapbooking companies and product vendors that keep us inspired and motivated to continue on with our papercrafting year after year! They come up with new products and ideas that never cease to impress!

Design Team Member Mary Pat Siehl has worked with Bella Blvd's Thankful collection and take a look at what she's come up with!

"Fall Memories" Layout by Mary Pat Siehl

Supplies Used:
    Bella Blvd Thankful Paper: Bountiful, Burlap, Homey, Our Spot, Borders,
            Cute Cuts, Perfect Day, Turkey Tracks
    Bella Blvd Thankful Just Write Journaling Stickers
    Bella Blvd Thankful Flags #1
    Bella Blvd Decorative Tape: Pony Dot, Baby Boy
    Bella Blvd Button Market: Merlot, Outdoors
    Silhouette Cameo (for rosettes)
    Other: Sewing Machine, Glue Gun

"Thanksgiving" Card by Mary Pat Siehl

Supplies Used:
    Bella Blvd Thankful Paper: Perfect Day, Burlap, Cute Cuts
    Bella Blvd Thankful Flags #1
    Bella Blvd Decorative Tape: Pony Dot
    Bella Blvd Button Market: Outdoors
    Bazzill Cardstock
    Other: Twine, EK Success Border Punch

Thanksgiving Table Place Card by Mary Pat Siehl

Supplies Used:
    Bella Blvd Thankful Paper: Bountiful, Burlap, Perfect Day
    Bazzill Cardstock
    Silhouette Cameo (Place Card, Turkey)

Designer Note: I love to decorate my table for Thanksgiving and this collection is just perfect to make place cards for all your guests! To make this project, I found the place card image in the Silhouette Studio store and cut it in heavy cardstock and then with my pretty patterned paper. I adhere the patterned paper to the cardstock to give it a bit more stability, then found a cute little turkey and cut him out using all the different patterned pieces. To make the turkey even MORE adorable, I added some fun googly eyes! This project can be a fun family project--have your kids help you put all the pieces together and remember to have FUN!

Another thing we have to be thankful for as a store existing in this glorious industry of ours--our Design Team!They have been absolutely fabulous this year, haven't they?! So our sincerest thanks goes out to Ashley, Caroline, Celeste, Emily, Janet, Lori, Mary Pat and Stephanie--you are all fabulous crafters and have really enhanced our stores with your talents!

And finally--there's our customers (and blog readers!) We just wouldn't be the store we are today without all of you and your continued support! We thank you for shopping with us, sharing with us and crafting with us!

Happy Week Before Thanksgiving, all!

Thankful

I've been catching up on all of my blog reading lately and have been completely overwhelmed (in a good way) by all of the fabulous Fall-themed projects out there! I LOVE Autumn--from the colors to the thankful themes... everything! So between the Fall-Fab projects and the Christmas themed projects popping up now and then as well, my creative cup is TOTALLY overflowing!

Adding to the plethora of Autumn ideas out there in the blogosphere, we've got a couple of projects to share using Authentique Paper's "Thankful" collection, thanks to Design Team Member Ashley Rock!

Thankful Layout by Ashley Rock

Supplies Used:
    Authentique Thankful Paper: Giving, Harvest, Remember, Pioneer, 
            Cultivate
    Authentique Thankful Details Stickers
    Bazzill Cardstock: Kraft, Red
    Prima Flowers: Tattered Treasures Bark
    Distress Stickles: Vintage Photo

"Thanksgiving" Card by Ashley Rock

Supplies Used:
    Authentique Thankful Paper: Harvest, Pioneer, Remember, Giving
    Authentique Thankful Detail Stickers
    Authentique Thankful Element Stickers
    Bazzill Cardstock: Red
    
What I love about Ashley's card is the little banner strips she used--what a cute way to incorporate different patterns for a simple, yet classy holiday card!

And what I love about her layout is--the colors. My, my... I am a sucker for those browns, tans, gold and reds! And who says you have to be assembling a Thanksgiving-themed layout to use them to their full potential!

  

The "Thankful" collection is available in stores now and you can save 50% on the line now through the end of this week--just by mentioning this blog post! Consider it a special pre-Thanksgiving gift just for our loyal blog readers!!

So if you love these colors and scrapbooking all things Fall half us much as I do, I hope you'll enjoy a little added inspiration this week to get those special memories into your albums!

Happy Scrappin'!

Basic Grey Soleil

Raise your hand if you enjoyed this past weekend's trip back up into the 60's... WOOHOO!! I'm not sure where you hail from, but here in Columbus it was a bea-u-ti-ful couple of days!

Today? Not so much.
Eh... it's Ohio. What can I say?

Well, Summer may be long gone and Winter may be right around the corner, but I for one choose to celebrate the sunshine no matter what the temps are. In my head, it's Summer all year long!! (I just have to stay in the heated indoors so my body doesn't convince my head otherwise. You know...) And today, I've got some great projects to share from Design Team Member Ashley Rock, who's worked with Basic Grey's Summery "Soleil" collection!

"Rainbow Row" Layout by Ashley Rock

Supplies Used:
    Basic Grey Soleil Paper: Good Times, Bikini, Summer Daisy, Fresh Air,
            Yellow Umbrella
    Basic Grey Soleil Cardstock Stickers
    Bazzill Cardstock: Bazzill White
    Lily Bee Design Persnickety Cardstock Alphbabet Stickers
    Liquid Pearls: Flamingo

"Congrats" Card by Ashley Rock

Supplies Used:
    Basic Grey Soleil Paper: Summer Daisy, Yellow Umbrella
    Basic Grey Soleil Cardstock Stickers
    Bazzill Cardstock: Bazzill White
    Bazzill Flowers: Yukon Gold, Lava, Whirlpool
    Liquid Pearls: Buttercup

"Folly Beach" Layout by Ashley Rock

Supplies Used:
    Basic Grey Soleil Paper: Bikini, Good Times, Yellow Umbrella, Fresh Air
    Basic Grey Soleil Cardstock Stickers
    Lily Bee Design Persnickety Cardstock Alphabet Stickers
    Cardstock
    Liquid Pearls: Flamingo
    Bazzill Flowers: Yukon Gold

Hopefully you've been inspired to catch up on a few of those beachy photos from this past summer, as I have been! And if you've got a stack of photos you'd like to get scrapped before year-end, join us for our 18-hour "Holiday Blitz" crop this coming weekend! There's no time like the present to set aside a block of time for yourself! Hope to see you there!

Happy Scrappin'!