Easter basket tutorial

Well its nearly that time again for the big fuzzy bunny to come hopping along his bunny trail and leave us lots of CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!

Yea I know not the true meaning of Easter but hey any excuse to eat CHOCOLATE right!!!

Anywho today I'm going to teach you how to make the sweetest and easiest little basket, its so cute.

Here is the finished product.  I hope you like it.  Ok onto instructions.

Step one!

take a 6 x 6 inch piece of paper or light cardstock.

You need to score it at every 2 inches.  In my diagram I have drawn it in black but just need to score it.

Step two!

Now following my picture you need to cut some evenly spaced strips in the outer two squares on opposite sides.

I have drawn them in dotted lines. You also need to cut the lines where I have written cut...ok.

With me so far?

Step three!

Now comes the slightly tricky bit.  You need to put some double sided tape onto each of the cut strips.

I hope you can see it in this photo.

Then you need to fold the cetre flap up and starting from the middle strip you need to stick them into the centre of the bit you folded up.  i hope i'm making sense...lol.  Probably not though...snigger!

Hers a picture to try and show you.

You need to fold all of the strips in like this, on top of one another on both sides.

Hopefully it should now look like this.

Step 4!

Now you need to cut a strip of paper that is 6 inches long and about 2 inches wide.

This is your handle.  I have punch my edge with a punch to make it pretty.

You then need to stick it where all the strips meet on the side.  i used double sided tape again for this.

Step Five!

Ok now to tidy up all this mess on the side I have used a oval nestablitie and cut it in half.

You can use a half-circle or whatever you want.

Its just to hide all the bits where they are stuck.

Ok and thats your basket.  You can now decorate it and fill it with what you like!

You can also make them bigger you just adjust the sizing.

I hope you can follow my rather babbling instructions...lol

Thanks for sticking with me through this tutorial...and I hope to see your easter baskets gracing the gallery at CPC!!

And I hope you have a fantastic easter!!!

WEEKEND CHALLENGE - REMINDER (and my LO finally...LOL!)

Hey people!

Just reminding everyone that you have until tonight to upload your page for this weekends challenge!.

You can link back from your blog to this post, or upload direct to the Weekend Challenge gallery here: March Weekend Challenge Gallery
Here is the challenge:


I'd like to see some recycling! Use at least four different types of recycled items on your creation - ie if you just use one piece of cardboard and make four new things out of it, it will only count as one item type recycled. So you need to dive into all different manner of things to use! Look for recyclable products like paper or fabric or plastic or cardboard or "notion" style (ie ribbon, button etc) or metal (the foil from milo tins etc) - the possibilites are endless! Tell us what each item was originally and how you have used it in your creation!

To clarify, as long as you are using at least four different sources of items on your page, you can use them however you like (ie making something new, or just using a piece on there). SO you can have more than one paper item - ie an envelope and a paper bag, or more than one cardboard item - ie a piece of pizza box and the backing board from a PP pack. Etc. Basically the more pieces you recycle the better!

Here is my page finally:

Hope you play along.

ALSO: Don't forget, for those of you who play along with the designer challenges from the last newsletter, will also be in the running to win a Designer Challenge CPC Voucher for the month of March! You have until March 31 to upload!

So go check out the last CPC newsletter here, and show us what you make, either by linking here to the blog or loading to the gallery. Be sure to include the words March Designer Challenge on your Layout in the gallery though to make it easier to find you!

Your name will be added to the draw for each challenge you complete from the newsletter (ie one challenge done = one entry, 3 challenges done = 3 entries).

YAY - hope you play along, I can't wait to see what you make.

Lee :)

Let's Reuse, Reduce and Recycle - Weekend Challenge

This week it is Lee's turn to post the weekend challenge.  But as she is busy getting ready I am posting it for her.

So quoting Lee:

I'd like to see some recycling! Use at least four different types of recycled items on your creation - ie if you just use one piece of cardboard and make four new things out of it, it will only count as one item type recycled. So you need to dive into all different manner of things to use! Look for recyclable products like paper or fabric or plastic or cardboard or "notion" style (ie ribbon, button etc) or metal (the foil from milo tins etc) - the possibilites are endless! Tell us what each item was originally and how you have used it in your creation!


Don't forget to post your layout in the gallery or link back to this post from your blog to show us you stuff. You could be the winner of the monthly prize draw for those who complete the Challenges.

10, 9, 8, 7....

It's time for the weekend challenge again.
This time it's Marg's turn to post - but as she has no computer or internet since a big electrical storm went through at the beginning of the week - I am posting her challenge for you.

Marg would like you to create a "countdown" layout!

WHAT?

Create a layout using
10 of one item - eg blossoms
9 of the next item - eg brads
8 of the next item - eg patterned paper
and so on and so forth..

D0n't forget to share or link back to be in the running for the monthly prize draw!

March Mid Monthly Newsletter

has been published....

Check out all the Designer's layouts and catch up with new challenges and prize offerings

HERE

Weekend Challenge

Hi Guys,

It's my turn to set the weekend challenge this week...

So my challenge to you is:

That you scrap 1 photo 2 ways.

So what this means is that you take the same photo

and scrap it two different ways.

IE: Different products
Focus on Different parts in the photo

My Examples are:
In this first layout I have focused on how alike - yet different my boys are.

The second layout focus on them growing up so fast. I managed to snap this photo whilst they were sitting on the jetty in the Marina on holidays so I have used the lyrics from Sitting on the Dock .

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Don't forget to post in the gallery or link back to this post with your layouts.

Barracks work update!

Hi everyone, thought I would give you all an update on what's been happening with the Barracks.
Neil and I have been flat out...him more than me, bless him, we don't feel like we have done much but have been at it for weeks.
It is always the way, the preparation takes the longest.
We have most of the damaged boards replaced, just a few more to do....have the insulation ready to put in, the gyprock, hopefully getting started in the next week or so.
They have all been wired, the aircons are in the shearing shed ready to be fitted.
I have bought all the linen, have been checking out beds etc.

Take care,
Marg.

Designer Challenge 7/3 - Handwritten Journaling

Hey Everyone! It's Lee here for my first blog post as a CPC designer!

I am doing this weeks challenge, and it is a nice easy one for you all.

I'd like to see some handwritten journaling on your creation please!

Here is what I made, my journaling was written on a Collage Press diecut label, from the Joyride range.



Other supplies used are:
PP's:
Sassafrass Lass - Serendipity Happy Place "Pot of Gold"(background), plus a strip of background used as the stripe section.
Sassafrass Lass - Jungle Bungle "Smooth sailing" (check)
Some of the fab new Kaiser - Made with Love "Baby Cakes"(yellow hearts).
Cardstock - Bazzil Kraft.
OTHER:
Alphas: Kaiser "Pina COlada" alpha stickers for Visiting, Cosmo Cricket subway rubons for the J & H, Making Memories Tiny Type for the rest of Jack and Helen.
Embellies: Crate Paper "Lillian" glitter die cut starburst, button, Collage Press diecut label "Joyride", Jenni Bowlin chip button, Basic Grey Nook & Pantry covered brad, BG plain brads, plus a chipboard flower, and some tiny shipping tags.

Please link back here to share what you make, and if you upload to the CPC gallery, please include the note Blog7/3 in your title so I can easily find your creations!

You can upload them to the blog challenge gallery here: CPC Blog Challenge Gallery

Have a brilliant week everyone,

Cheers,

Lee

HOW DARE MARG GO TO THE AC/DC CONCERT!!!!

Because Marg gets to go to the AC/DC concert in Perth Tonight....

We Designers thought that we would make lots of work for her when she gets back on Monday...

SOOOOOO

To make work for Marg we have DISCOUNTED


* Basic Grey
* Fancy Pants
* We R
* Dream Street
* Jenni Bowlin
* Piggy Tails
* Paper Salon
* SEI
* GCD Studio
* Doodlebug

by
25%

From Today until SUNDAY 7, 2010!

SO DON'T MISS OUT!!!!


Invoices will be adjusted manually to allow for the discount (the checkout will show full price)

HURRY!!!! At this discounted price the Papers won't last long!

Weekend challenges

Here it is ... your weekend challenge this weekend.

How about you put together a 12x12 layout - okay so far ... I'm sure it is.

BUT ... I want you to only use ONE piece of cardstock and ONE piece of patterned paper – any embellishments that you decide to use must be handmade from that one piece of cardstock and / or that one piece of patterned paper AND you must use more than one photo.

How's that ... nice and easy ... nothing difficult about it!

You may use paints, stamps, inks, glimmermists, punches, sewing [machine or handsewing – you can use embroidery thread for this challenge - I'm being nice] ... but no pre-made or bought embellishments for example., no lace, ribbons, bling etc.

Any questions ???

Here's my example layout.























Your layout should be uploaded into the gallery before midnight WA time on Sunday night. Or Link your layout in the comments section of this post!

Have fun creating.
Michelle

March Kits are for Sale today!

It's a Country HoeDown!

This month's Designer Kit shows the little bit of country in us...

*October Afternoon Farm Fresh:

-Chicken Coop

-Farmhouse

-Journal Cards

*Jenni Bowlin Red Love Song Paper

*Theresa Collins Family Matters

*Martha Stewart Punch Strip

*Bazzill Cardstock

-Hillary

-Crimson

-Bazzill White

*Thickers Vinyl Stickers

*Assorted Punched Flowers, Buttons

*Velvet Flowers

*Chipboard Flower Negative Strip

*Fringe Fibre

Add on Kit contains:

October Afternoon Farm Fresh Journal Cards

Pink Paislee Cardstock Alphabets

Bazzil Envelope

Ribbon Words

Cardstock Word Strip

Mesh Ribbon
Tan Fibre
Buttons
Blossoms

Check out the Designer's creations in this edition of the newsletter

Mish's Sketch

This week it is my turn to post a sketch challenge on the blog...

I would like to see your sketch full of colour and fun! I am hoping that I can create a layout tomorrow - being a public holiday here in WA!

Please feel free to use this sketch, place a link in the comments section to your layout so we can all see...

****Edited to Add****

Well - I scrapped! The first time since December - but as I have used the March Designer Kit I will just show you a couple of snippets of my layout - You will have to wait until the Mid Monthly newsletter to see the reveal

A final snippet to tempt you

Before the kits are released online and instore...

A little more

2nd Peek...

March Kit - Sneak Peeks

Wow is it almost March already????

New challenge

Well, it is my turn this week to set the Blog challenge, and I know you are excited about that, lol.

It's a recipe challenge. Please select at least 3 items form the following list and use those items to create your masterpiece.

Please do not forget to show us your creations.

The Ingredients:

1. White background
2. String
3. 2 photos - smaller than 6x4
4. Distressing
5. Stamping
6. White space

As you can see from the example, I have actually used all 6 ingredients to create my layout (although the white background is hard to pick up).

The pp's are Kasier Q3 Shaken Not Stirred collection, and the small black and white alphas are also by Kaiser. Both of these products are available from CPC.

The string I have misted with Black Magic Glimmermist, and although this particular colour is not available at CPC, Marg does have 23 other colours you can chose from :)

I have also used the Black Magic on my stamp for the chippie letters, but applied a bit too much pressure on the 'scr' so they came out inked :(, but he 'eam' are fine.

I have distressed the edges of the pp's with my Heidi Swapp edge distresser whch you can pick up from CPC.

Hope you enjoy my recipe and I look forwatrd to seeing al the fabulous creations

Happy scrappin'

Deb xoxo

A new challenge ...

Your challenge this week ladies is a recipe challenge, you can choose the ingredients and the method and happily create away.


Choose at least 5 [five] of the following ingredients.

Colour combo – aqua/green/white
Paint or Glimmermist
Ink
Clocks
Flowers [at least 6 of them]
Ribbon
Lace
Pearls
Bling
Tags



My example is here ...


Two little girls ... I've used pics of two little girls on their first day of school ... a generation apart ... the photo on the left is my daughter on her first day of school and you guessed, the little girl on the right is me ...





















What have I used :
Tim Holtz crackle paint – Broken China – I’ve painted over magic mesh, waited for paint to dry, removed mesh and placed it elsewhere on my layout
Magic mesh
Pinecone ink
Kindyglitz
Beutron buttons – shabby chic
Glimmermist
Carolees Creations – tiny alpha stickers
HS acetate ghost clocks
Prima mini roses
Kaisercraft pearls
MS doily lace edge punch
Adhesives : Express double sided tape and Papercraft mini circles, and glue dots

Don’t forget to check out the CPC shop – you can find all of these scrapping goodies and more.

And ... don’t be shy ... share your creations with us.

You can leave us a link or you might like to join us in the forum and pop your layout in the gallery.

Happy creating.
Signing off
Michelle [aka Mrs Frizz]

Valentine's Day

Hope you have all remembered that Valentine’s Day is coming up ... you know that special day of love ... although to me every day should be a special day of love!

Want to whip up a card that really doesn’t take too long at all ?

Go on, you know you do!

Let me share.

You are going to need the following materials :

2 pieces of cardstock
1 piece of felt
Embroidery thread
Ink
Alphas
Adhesive [double sided tape]

Grab a piece of cardstock to use as your base, I have used pink.

I cut my base cardstock 9” long by 4 ½” deep. Score and fold in half.

Ink around all the edges.

Cut a piece of white cardstock 4” x 4” and ink around the edges ... simple really.

Grab a piece of felt, yep, good old crafting felt comes in handy [check out the huge variety of colours in the shop].

Cut out a heart shape – mine is approximately 3” in size – now you can either do this freehand or do what I did.

I jumped on the computer and opened ‘Word’ – opened my drawing tools and found the heart shape, sized and resized and printed it off on to normal paper, cut it out and then placed it on the back side of the felt, I drew around it and then cut it out. It truly didn't take that long, honest!

Once you have cut out your felt heart, put adhesive on the back of the heart, I used double sided tape and then you stick it down on white cardstock.

Now grab a paper piercer and make holes around the heart into the cardstock and pierce a hole into the felt heart as well, similar distances right around the heart ... make sense ... I’m sure it does.

Needle and thread, in my case, I dug into my sewing box and chose black embroidery thread and then I have stitched all the way around the heart using long stitches backwards and forwards.

Easiest way of doing this is stitching from the back to the front first through the pierced hole into the felt – you can’t always see the hole in the felt if you are stitching through the top to the bottom in the heart ... hope that doesn’t sound too confusing.

Use adhesive [double sided tape] on the back of the white cardstock and adhere to base cardstock, in my case the pink cardstock.

Grab some alphas, put on a greeting or title and voila ... you are done.

Hopefully you have a card that looks something like this.





















Now that wasn't too hard ... be honest!

Don't forget to share.

Happy creating.

Signing off
Michelle [aka Mrs Frizz]

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

Country Papercraft is very pleased to welcome the two new permanent DESIGN TEAM members.


Welcome to Michelle F (Mrs Frizz) who has been guest designer for the past 3 months. Michelle now joins us full time as a Designer.

We also welcome Lee (LaLaLee) to the team! Lee's funky style of scrapping with add flair and flash to our newsletter features.

Welcome both ladies - we hope you enjoy being part of the team!

FEB DESIGNER KIT ---

This month's Designer kit is all READY SET GO!

Ready to suit all those 1st day of school photos.

*Basic Grey's Paper Ranges:

-Skate Shoppe's KickFlip

-Recess' Arithmetic

*Carolee's Creations Primary Stripes

*Scenic Route's Playing Cards Large Numbers

*Pink Paislee's Reindeer Games Circle Scallop

*Rusty Pickle's Vintage Pencils - strip

*Bazzill Cardstock

-Tokyo

-Typhoon

-Bazzill White

*Basic Grey's School Transfers

*Lil Davis Chipboard Alphabets

Carolee's Creations Ting A Lings Stencil Alphabet

Blue Eyelets

Pom Pom Braid

Bookplate

Tickets

Acrylic Frame

Transparency

Don't forget the Designer Kits are a limited item - so make sure you get yours today!

Wanna see the Add on Kit?

Enjoy your Sunday

Deb xoxox

Sneak Peak 3

...I bet you will all be pleased when Mish is back online so that the sneak peaks are more visually appealling, lol

Have a happy scrappy Saturday

Deb xoxox

Want another Feb Kit Sneak Peak???

..................Well, do you?????????????????




Ok, then here it is

Stay tuned for more :)

Deb xoxo

Sneak Peak time

Here is the first sneak peak of the Feb kit......

Hmmm, interesting

I'll be back later today or tomorrow morning with some more

Have a scrap happy day

Deb xoxo

Its Monday.....

... and from now on Mondays are the day that sketches, challenges, tutorials, etc will be posted on the Blog.

It is my turn today, and I have a sketch for you all, as well as an example.

Here goes:

I have used Bo Bunny Grease Monkey pp's, alphas, and diecut stickers all available from CPC for this layout.

So, what do you think??

Please upload your competed layouts here, I would really love to see how you interpret my sketch.


Have a great scrappy week

3 Day SALE on Cuttlebug Folders

For 3 days we will have 20% off all Cuttlebug Folders and Dies.

Sale ends Midnight Sunday 17th Jan 2010.

Only apply to stock on hand, no rain checks, does not apply to pre-order folders.

I will be away until Sunday, so will pack the orders as they have been sent in.

Be quick or you may miss out.

We are making room for the new folders, once we have sold out of some of the older ones I will not be replacing them.

Invoice will show full price I will adjust prices when I pack the orders. Will be in touch for total owing.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Marg.

NEW Martha Stewart Crafts Punch - Corner/Border set - Double Loop

Have you seen the new Martha Stewart around the page punches?

They are so easy to use, the trick is to cut your paper exactly the right size. You can cut up to a 12 x 12 paper making your own die cut page.

2 Punch Pack - use these punches together to create a continuous die-cut border.

Punch your corners first and then use the edge punch to connect the pattern from corner to corner using the guides printed on the tool's wings.

These punches can be used separately to create elegant corners or trims on your scrapbook pages or cards.

We have quite a selection of Martha Stewart as well as lots of other punches in store, including the awesome Marvy Punches.

Card Techniques - How to make an easel card

If you are a bit of a card maker you may have seen these easel cards doing the rounds of late.

They seem to be the latest fad thats for sure! well I had a shot at making one the other day when i had to make a card for my friends birthday. Here is my effort.....

>

I couldnt believe how easy they were to make...so I'm going to share my instructions with you!

Step one: Cut a piece of cardstock 6x6 inches. This is the front of your card and you can decorate it how you please.

Step two: Cut another piece of card that measures 6x12 inches. Score this piece at 3 inches and 6 inches.

Step three: Valley fold both of these scores.

Step Four: Decorate the bigger section of this piece of cardstock. Making sure to place a brad, button or flowers around the centre of the card (see diagram)

Please note this diagram shows measurements for a four inch card but you can make it any size you want.

Step Five: With the longest peice of cardstock folded in half place , (the folded side on top, and the decorated side in the middle), put double-sided tape or glue onto the bottom 3 inch section.

Now with this piece still folded in half take the front of your card piece and place it on top glueing the two pieces together.

Step Six: To display your card place the front of your card behind the brad or button (or whatever) that is on the bottom section so it sits like an easel!

Simple hey but pretty effective.

i hope you enjoyed my little lesson and I hope you have a go at making one and sharing with us in the gallery and place a link in the comments section.

I have used BAsic Grey Papers, Bazzil cardstock, Spellbinder templates and Green tara flowers on my card. All available from the CPC shop.

January's Newsletter

is HERE

Tuesday's Sketch Challenge

Today's sketch is going to be a challenge also...

I would like you to use BLACK & WHITE on your layout - with one other colour of your choice. You must also use chipboard that you have altered. Have fun! Don't forget to share in the gallery!

January Designer Kit Release

Ho Ho Ho

January is here - bringing with it loads of Christmas Cheer all ready for your Christmas photos

Kit Contains:

Webster's Pages - Home for the Holidays Range

* December Journal

* Oh Christmas Tree

* Cardstock Die-cut Stickers

Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co

* Naughty or Nice

* North Pole

Jenni Bowlin Red Damask Circle

Bazzill Cardstock

* Kraft

* Ivy

* San Francisco

Journal Card

AdornIT Alpha

Ric Rac

Kaiser Bling

January Add on Kit

Basic Grey Periphery Alphabet

Journal Card

Delish Christmas Clear Stickers

Kaiser Bling & Rhinestone Christmas Shape

Music Paper

Ribbons

Bling Brad