Cord Scrapbook Studio

Sketch of the Week: Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup

By the sound of this post title, you'd think we were cooking up a great big batch of warm-and-hearty soup for lunch! But really, it's Design Team Member Janet Zeppa who's done all the cooking, using the finest of ingredients from Jillibean Soup's Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup collection!

As you may know, Jillibean Soup offers a sketch challenge once a month, last month being no exception. They're little hearty little project recipes, if you will... YUM-O!

Here's last month's sketch (from sketch artist Nicole Nowosad)...

Janet actually altered the sketch to create a card instead of a layout. I LOVE it when our Design Team takes sketches and alters them to suit different project sizes! It just goes to show how versatile a tool sketches can be!

"From Our House to Yours" Card by Janet Zeppa

If you'd like to participate in the monthly challenges, it's simple! In fact, here's November's sketch--just to get those creative wheels a-turnin'!

To join in the fun, all you have to do is create a layout or card or project using the sketch and some Jillibean Soup product and share it on the Jillibean Soup Facebook Page.  They'll be reviewing submissions throughout the month and will share a few of their selections in an upcoming Soup Spotting post on their blog! At the end of the month(ish) they'll choose their favorite sketch interpretation and that person will win some FREE JILLIBEAN GOODIES!

Now... who wouldn't love a chance to win free stuff just for having FUN doing what it is you love to do already! Win-win!

So there you have it... today's sketch, plus a bonus sketch! Hopefully one or both will whet that creative whistle of yours as you head into the week!

Happy Scrappin'!

Sketch of the Week w/ Special Guest Mary Pat



Cord Scrapbook Studio is pleased to welcome guest poster (and Design Team Member) Mary Pat Siehl from "Siehled with a Kiss" as she shares this week's Sketch!

Hi Everyone!

Mary Pat here and today I have a really fun sketch to share! I love creating my own sketches and it really helps me to get my mojo flowing. I always have a little sketch pad in my purse and whenever I am out and get a fun idea, I can write it down! I don't know about you, but I am ALWAYS thinking about papercrafting. I know you are probably thinking I am totally obsessed but... yup, I am! LOL!!

So anyway... let's get to the sketch.

Remember, the great thing about a sketch is that you can interpret it however you see fit. Here is MY take on the sketch...

"I Am So Lucky" Layout by Mary Pat Siehl

For this layout, I used the Lily Bee Buttercup collection. I really love this collection because it is very neutral. You can use it on really any type of layout or project. One of my favorite things to do is layer the paper and then layer all the embellishments.

For the background paper, I picked two of the patterned pieces. I sewed around the edge to make a border and then I sprayed it with coordinating colors of Mister Huey's mist by Studio Calico. I then matted my photo with different pattern pieces.

Then it was time to add my embellishments! I like to make my own and I took some of the Bag of Bits embellishments and layered them with some black cardstock and foam adhesive to add a little bit of dimension to the layout. Finally, I did some stamping... I stamped the subtitle and then I stamped the phrase under the photo. I love the versatility of stamps and LOVE to use them in my scrapbooking!

I hope you enjoyed my sketch--I would love to see your work if you decide to use it! Simply share it on the Cord Scrapbook Studio Facebook page!

I will be back soon with some really fun posts! Have you wanted to start a December Daily Scrapbook but didn't know where to begin or the ones you found online are way too expensive? Well, I'm going to show you how to make one that is going to be AWESOME! We'll start by setting everything up and coming up with a fun list of things to capture--it's going to be so much fun, you aren't going to want to miss a post! See you then!

Have a wonderful and crafty day!
mp

Thanks so much for sharing, Mary Pat! What a great layout + sketch! 

Stay tuned to the SB Studio blog TODAY for the first big Black Friday reveal of the week! We'll be posting one special each day (Monday thru Friday) at 3:00pm! Black Friday specials will be good Sunday, November 18th through Monday, November 26th--while supplies last! Happy planning!

Sketch of the Week: Portfolio

Design Team Member Caroline Davis is back this week with another 12x12 sketch turned 8.5x11 layout! It's Becky Fleck's Page Maps and Pink Paislee's Portfolio collection together in action--check it out!

This sketch comes from the October 2012 Page Maps. Every month, new sketches are uploaded to Becky's site, so if you haven't already downloaded and/or printed a copy of November's Maps, you should totally do so! And for back-issues, there's always the archives!

Anyhoo... here's Caroline's adaptation of the sketch...

"CVST" Layout by Caroline Davis

Supplies Used:
    Pink Paislee Portfolio Paper: Outstanding, Amazing, Stupendous, 
            Remarkable
    Pink Paislee Tiny Tabs
    Pink Paislee Ephemera
    Bazzill Cardstock
    Silhouette Cameo
    Fonts: AvantGarde, Lionel Diesel

It's simple. It's classic. And all of the little die-cuts and accents bring the whole thing together! Wouldn't this be a cute layout for Instagram photos?

Stay tuned for more of Pink Paislee's Portfolio Collection later this week as well as plenty of Design Team projects to keep you motivated and inspired!

Happy Monday!

Sketch of the Week: Lost & Found Halloween

I'm a day late and a dollar short with this week's sketch, but I hope to make it up to you with a fabulous layout and two bonus cards from Design Team Member Ashley Rock!

First up, here's one of Ashley's fabulous sketches. You can find this sketch and more both on her blog and in her book (available in stores)!

And here's the layout she made using My Mind's Eye's Lost & Found: Halloween collection.

"Battery Carriage House Inn" Layout by Ashley Rock

Supplies Used:
    My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Halloween Paper: Music, Halloween Ads, 
            Skull Doily, Dot, Rounds
    My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Halloween Accessory Sheet
    Jillibean Grandma's Lima Bean Soup Cardstock Stickers
    Cardstock
    Liquid Pearls: Buttercup

Though this collection is titled as a Halloween collection, Ashley's layout simple proves that just because a line is designed for a specific topic or theme DOES NOT mean its papers and embellishments can't be used for something totally unrelated! I LOVE that about this hobby--no rules, baby. No rules.

But... with Halloween coming up tomorrow, here's a couple of bonus Lost & Found: Halloween cards for you!

"Happy Halloween" Card by Ashley Rock

Supplies Used:
    My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Halloween Accessory Sheet
    Cardstock
    Liquid Pearls: Buttercup
    Ribbon

"Halloween" Card by Ashley Rock

Supplies Used:
    My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Halloween Paper: Halloween Ads, Pattern
    My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Hallween Accessories Sheet
    Bazzil Cardstock: Yam

Happy Scrappin'!

Sketch of the Week w/ Ashley Rock

Today's Sketch of the Week comes from talented Design Team Member and sketch artist, Ashley Rock! If you're not familiar with Ashley's work, you can check our her sketch book (available in stores only) AND visit her blog where you'll find monthly sketch challenges and lots of inspiration!

Ashley actually sent me three awesome sketches + projects, so I'm incredibly pleased to be sharing these with you every couple of weeks on into November! This first sketch features a layout you may have seen in the October Issue of the Studio News!

"Koria" Layout by Ashley Rock

Supplies Used:
    Jillibean Grandma's Lima Bean Soup: Lean Ham, Dry Lima Beans
    Jillibean Grandma's Lima Bean Soup Pea Pod Parts (Die-Cuts)
    Jillibean Grandma's Lima Bean Soup Cardstock Stickers
    Jillibean Soup Staples II Paper: Red Salt, Navy Salt
    Bazzill Cardstock: Vanilla
    Bazzill Yukon Gold Flowers
    Cat's Eye Ink: Black
    Stickles: Black Diamond
    Brown Twine

And here's the sketch that inspired the design:

As someone who loves to mix and match different patterned papers, I personally LOVE that part of this sketch! You can use a 6x6 paper pad for the background circles or even scraps from larger sheets of your favorite papers and all without totally overwhelming your photo!

If you're totally diggin' this sketch like I am, stop by Ashley's Facebook Page and give her a shout-out!

Happy Scrappin'!

Sketch of the Week: Copic for Christmas

Believe it or not, it's time to start thinking about Christmas cards! I know, I know... but time is tick-tick-ticking away! Christmas Card season will be here before we know it! So this week's card + sketch features the Fancy Pants "Home for Christmas" collection, La-La-Land's Christmas Present Luka stamp and you guessed it.... Copic Markers.

These handy dandy little pens are a wonderful investment for scrappers and stampers alike, allowing you to custom-color your designs to suit your needs! Here, Vicki's used coordinating colors to compliment the card's background papers and the end result is a.dor.a.ble.

Copic Christmas Card by Vicki Harper

Supplies Used:
    Fancy Pants Home for Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad
    Fancy Pants Home for Christmas Mingled Buttons
    La-La-Land Stamp: Christmas Present Luka
    Bazzill Cardstock: 8.5x11 White, Cardinal
    Foam Adhesive, Glue Dots
    Memento Ink: Tuxedo Black
    Copic X-Press It Paper
    Copic Sketch Markers
    Other: Red Twine

The sketch Vicki used for inspiration comes from Card Positioning Systems--a must-see sketch resource for all you card-makers out there! 

Unfortunately, it was announced recently that October will be the last month CPS will be posting new sketch content and they will be missed!

If you've had the opportunity to work with CPS sketches or have followed their blog over the years, please be sure to stop by their blog and give them a shout-out for a job well done! We wish them all the luck in the world as they pursue the next string of adventures along their creative path!

This sketch and Vicki's card will be posted in stores this week (just look for the sign above), but if you'd like to try your hand at this card in the meantime, here's a list of the Copic Markers used:

    Skin: E00, E11, E13
    Lips/Cheeks: R20, E02
    Hair: E51, E53, E55, E57
    Sweater: YG91, YG93, YG95, YG97
    Jeans: BG72, BG75, BG78
    Santa Hat: R21, R22, R24, R27, R29, R59, W1, W4
    Ribbon: R21, R22, R24, R27, R29, R59
    Present: Y15, Y18, Y35, Y38, YR04, YR14
    Boots: E51, E53, E55, E57

You also might be happy to hear that the Copic Coloring Guide #3 is available in stores now--and if coloring skintones and haircolor has been something you're dying to master, this is the book for you!  Our initial order is selling quickly, so please see an associate for details and/or to reserve your copy today!

Happy Coloring & Card-Making!

Sketch of the Week - Harvest Lane

Phew--how many of you felt the chill in the air this morning? Jack Frost made his inaugural appearance this morning in my front yard--hard to believe! If ever there were a time for a pumpkin spice latte or a hot caramel apple cider--today would be the day!

Vicki from our Indianapolis (Nora) location shares an Autumn-worthy layout for this week, using the Simple Stories Harvest Lane collection!

"I (Heart) Fall" Layout by Vicki Harper

Supplies Used:
    Simple Stories Harvest Lane Paper: Homemade Happiness, Flash Cards, 
            Wood/Tablecloth
    Simple Stories Harvest Lane Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers
    Simple Stories Harvest Lane Expressions Cardstock Stickers
    Bazzill Cardstock: Hot Fudge, Rain, Cardinal
    Other: Red Twine, Foam Adhesive

And here's the Page Maps sketch that inspired her festive and fun layout...

This particular sketch is from Becky Fleck's October Page Maps and you'll notice it's actually an 8.5x11 horizontal layout which Vicki converted into a 12x12 format to fit in with other pages & layouts in her albums. 

To download a pdf of all of this month's sketches, simply click on the image of the sketch above! These pages are easily slipped into a binder for quick reference later one--what a great resource!

Enjoy the fall season and... Happy Scrappin'!

Sketch of the Week: Crisp and Clean

It's no secret that I love Fall. Does it feel like it's come too soon this year? Absolutely. But I still love it.

I love that the leaves are starting to change color, that there's a cool nip in the air each morning, and that homemade apple pie tastes just as amazing as I remember it from last year. There's just something about that cool, crisp breeze and the smell of pumpkin spice that makes my soul sing! Anyone else?

Today's featured sketch + layout, though it utilizes a Fall-themed collection of papers, is totally crisp and clean in a whole different way. Clean colors. Clean lines. And the sweetest photo EVER.

"Authentic Smile" by Caroline Davis

Supplies Used:
    American Crafts Pumpkin Patch Paper: Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Bread,    
            Apple Pie, Caramel Corn
    Silhouette Cameo Die-Cutting Machine
    Font: AvantGarde

Design Team Member Caroline Davis used a 12x12 Page Maps Sketch (June 2012) and adapted it to suit her 8.5x11 page. I just love how the overall design draws attention to the photo.  I mean, when you have a strong photo like this one, you simply don't need a lot of hullabaloo surrounding it to share the story! Less is more. And sometimes, simple is sweeter!

Here's the original sketch:

Your challenge this week? Find a strong photo, choose a few subtle, coordinating prints and share a story in a crisp, clean fashion. Using a sketch as your guide, it could be a quick and simple layout with a whole lotta punch!

MmMmMm... apple cider punch.

Hello, October!

Sketch of the Week: Birthdays

Design Team member Caroline Davis is back this week with another of Becky Fleck's fabulous Page Maps sketches and the Birthday Boy Collection from Blvd Blvd.  But who says using a "boy" collection means having to scrapbook about a boy? No one! And the "rebel" scrapbooker in Caroline shows us just how it's done with this clean & simple 8.5x11 page!

"Birthday" Layout By Caroline Davis

Supplies Used:
    Bella Blvd Birthday Boy Paper: All for You, Borders, Toadilly Cool, 
            About a Boy, Eat Cake
    Bella Blvd Birthday Boy Alpha + Bits Cardstock Stickers
    Bella Blvd Birthday Boy Flags
    Bella Blvd Button Market Buttons: Orange Stars, Gulf Squares
    Bella Blvd Decorative Tape
    Silhouette Cameo
    Kerri Bradford Studio Shapes (Numbers and Month)

And the sketch that inspired the page? Well, you just might recognize it as one of the September 2012 Page Maps... 

So the next time you're perusing through the aisles of your LSS, looking for that perfect paper for your pages, don't let themes and collection titles throw you for a loop, keeping you from the perfect patterns to compliment your favorite photos!

Happy Scrappin'!

Sketch of the Week: Welcome, Fall!

Whether is "official" or not, Fall has arrived!

There's a huge pile of fallen leaves in my backyard (umm...isn't it too early for this?), I had to wear long pants and a sweatshirt to walk my daughter to school this morning, the pumpkin latte has arrived at Starbucks, OSU games are "in season" and I've been craving apple pie something awful! So I don't care if the temps this week are still expected to be in the mid-80's, I've officially made the transition to Autumn in my head and that's good enough for me!

If you're like me and ready for Fall, you'll love this week's Sketch of the Week, featuring Bella Blvd's Thankful Collection and yet another fab-oo sketch from Scrapbook Generation's Sketches for Scrapbooking, Volume 6.

"There is No Place Like Home" Layout by Vicki Harper

Supplies Used:
   Bella Blvd Thankful Paper: Bountiful, Cute Cuts, Borders, Perfect Day
    Bella Blvd Thankful Alpha + Bits Stickers
    Bella Blvd Thankful Just Write Journaling Stickers
    Bazzill Cardstock: Hot Fudge, Lakeshore, Java/OP
    Cat's Eye Chalk Ink: Chestnut Roan
    Foam Adhesive

If you're looking for a quick & simple way to bang out a bunch of layouts the next time you're in the creative mood--these sketch books are the perfect solution. They'll tell you the sizes needed for your pictures, what size to cut your patterned papers, and give you 2-3 variations as well in case you want to change it up a bit!

Whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced scrapper, these layout blueprints are a-maz-ing. And if you've already collected all the books, you can follow the Sketch Support website for additional sketches, ideas and inspiration!

Happy Fall Scrappin'!