ETA: Oh. My. God. Know how I mentioned that I had thrown some cards into the horse race over at Paper Crafts magazine's Gallery Idol competition? Well, I made the top twenty!!!!!! 276 people submitted 1,254 birthday cards for just 20 spots! Wheeeeee! Round two starts immediately. But, just for making it to the top twenty, I get this prize package:
Lots of Cosmo Cricket goodies! How fun is that? The next challenge is a wedding card and I believe the public will vote once the cards go up on Monday. I'll post more once I know more. So excited!
Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming:
The ladies at Right at Home Scrapbooking sent me papers and embellishments from Making Memories Wedding Line this month. I had a ball pulling the pieces apart and making a lot of non-wedding layouts with the line! However, before we get to that, I've got a super fun project for the summer!
This is the front and back of a 7gypsies spinner card. The paper I used for the background on both sides, and for the banner on the front, was made by stamping with celery.
Watch the video below for instructions:
Now for the layouts!
This one is so simple and graphic:
I cut apart this paper…
…to create the circles on the layout.
Because the circles are offset on the original paper, I had to cut apart rows of three circles and then glue them together. But, before I glued them down, I fed them through my typewriter to add my journaling. (You may notice a kind of typewriter theme here.)
This next layout has been the bane of my existence for the last forty-eight hours. I am not one of those quick scrappers who just puts stuff down and says "done!" And I have agonized over this one for a while. And (shhhhh, don't tell anyone) I actually re-did the layout. It just never settled into feeling really right and I kept staring at it and staring at it until it bugged me too much to leave it alone!
But, I'm pleased with it now. Much simpler than I normally do, but I'm happy. I stole the white border from this paper:
I used a pair of scissors to trim it off and then added a dyed version of this paper…
…to the bottom half.
I used a mixture of dye inks and Adirondack Color Wash to color it.
BUT, before I put it on the layout above, I used it as a stencil to create the background for the layout below:
I like a lot of things about this layout, but I'm kind of grumpy with how the title turned out. Not at all like it was in my head. Something about the "of" just bug
s me a lot. (BTW: I am totally enamored with the American Crafts puffy Thickers on this layout. That font is so divine! It's called "rainboots." These ones are leftover from my June Label Tulip kit. I'm on the hunt for more!) Anyway, here's a close up of the background:
Also, notice that I painted this paper…
…blue, because the stark black and white was fighting with the photos a bit too much.
This layout was a last minute addition.
It was kind of a series of good mistakes. Behind the lace paper (Creative Imaginations), is a piece of cardstock that I had painted and sprayed for another project and then decided not to use. But, the color was just so vibrant, I had to use it for something!
There's a lot of texture and pattern on this layout (and color) and so I used a mixture of gesso and watercolor paint on the journaling card to tame the pattern a bit, which started as this paper:
You can also see it in its "raw" state under the "J" in the detail photo below.
I start most layouts with a story I want to tell. This one sort of just came together and then the fact that I could only fit one letter in the frame, gave me an idea for the journaling: "J" words that describe me!
Finally, June 'tis the season of weddings. And I couldn't let this whole wedding collection go without any wedding fun! Thus, I give you a short tutorial on making a wedding dress embellishment like the one below:
You could use the dress element on a card, as a package topper, on a page. Whatever your pleasure!
Here's the "how to":
If you'd like the template I used to make my wedding dress, you can download it here.
Whew. Monster post. Thanks for stopping by!
WOW!!!! WOW!!!! and TRIPPLE WOW! You are so blazzing talented…I am in Awwwww of your ideas and inspirations! LOVE them all! Thank you for sharing! xoxo
Loves,
K
WOW!!!! WOW!!!! and TRIPPLE WOW! You are so blazzing talented…I am in Awwwww of your ideas and inspirations! LOVE them all! Thank you for sharing! xoxo
Loves,
K
WOW!!!! WOW!!!! and TRIPPLE WOW! You are so blazzing talented…I am in Awwwww of your ideas and inspirations! LOVE them all! Thank you for sharing! xoxo
Loves,
K
WOW!!!! WOW!!!! and TRIPPLE WOW! You are so blazzing talented…I am in Awwwww of your ideas and inspirations! LOVE them all! Thank you for sharing! xoxo
Loves,
K
Stamping with celery? Holy WOW!
Congrats on placing so high in the contest — great prize!
Stamping with celery? Holy WOW!
Congrats on placing so high in the contest — great prize!
Stamping with celery? Holy WOW!
Congrats on placing so high in the contest — great prize!
Stamping with celery? Holy WOW!
Congrats on placing so high in the contest — great prize!
holy bjolies woman. you are SO my hero.
holy bjolies woman. you are SO my hero.
holy bjolies woman. you are SO my hero.
holy bjolies woman. you are SO my hero.
Oh my god Stamping with Celery- that is so cool – I have to show this Jim – he will love it 🙂
Aweosme layouts again !!! And huge congrats to the top 20!!!!
Oh my god Stamping with Celery- that is so cool – I have to show this Jim – he will love it 🙂
Aweosme layouts again !!! And huge congrats to the top 20!!!!
Oh my god Stamping with Celery- that is so cool – I have to show this Jim – he will love it 🙂
Aweosme layouts again !!! And huge congrats to the top 20!!!!
Oh my god Stamping with Celery- that is so cool – I have to show this Jim – he will love it 🙂
Aweosme layouts again !!! And huge congrats to the top 20!!!!
you are sooooooooooooo creative!! Stamping with celery? Get out!!! I love how you showed the papers before and after. You always amaze me with your transformations. Love the pages. The typing on the circles is fabulous. And the pics of you on the J layout are super cute!
you are sooooooooooooo creative!! Stamping with celery? Get out!!! I love how you showed the papers before and after. You always amaze me with your transformations. Love the pages. The typing on the circles is fabulous. And the pics of you on the J layout are super cute!
you are sooooooooooooo creative!! Stamping with celery? Get out!!! I love how you showed the papers before and after. You always amaze me with your transformations. Love the pages. The typing on the circles is fabulous. And the pics of you on the J layout are super cute!
you are sooooooooooooo creative!! Stamping with celery? Get out!!! I love how you showed the papers before and after. You always amaze me with your transformations. Love the pages. The typing on the circles is fabulous. And the pics of you on the J layout are super cute!
A. MAZ. ING! Just brilliant! Congrats on making top twenty…woo hoo! Let us know when we can vote!
The celery…omg…cerery! Can’t wait to try it…and thanks so much for the video tutorials and wedding dress template!—As always, layouts are fantastic! Love my daily visit here—thanks for sharing!
A. MAZ. ING! Just brilliant! Congrats on making top twenty…woo hoo! Let us know when we can vote!
The celery…omg…cerery! Can’t wait to try it…and thanks so much for the video tutorials and wedding dress template!—As always, layouts are fantastic! Love my daily visit here—thanks for sharing!
A. MAZ. ING! Just brilliant! Congrats on making top twenty…woo hoo! Let us know when we can vote!
The celery…omg…cerery! Can’t wait to try it…and thanks so much for the video tutorials and wedding dress template!—As always, layouts are fantastic! Love my daily visit here—thanks for sharing!
A. MAZ. ING! Just brilliant! Congrats on making top twenty…woo hoo! Let us know when we can vote!
The celery…omg…cerery! Can’t wait to try it…and thanks so much for the video tutorials and wedding dress template!—As always, layouts are fantastic! Love my daily visit here—thanks for sharing!
You are awesome, girl!!! CONGRATS!!
Love the celery stampin’!
You are awesome, girl!!! CONGRATS!!
Love the celery stampin’!
You are awesome, girl!!! CONGRATS!!
Love the celery stampin’!
You are awesome, girl!!! CONGRATS!!
Love the celery stampin’!
awesome tutes! love that celery flower, you are so creative!
awesome tutes! love that celery flower, you are so creative!
awesome tutes! love that celery flower, you are so creative!
awesome tutes! love that celery flower, you are so creative!
Wonderful. I especially liked the use of the celery as a stamp. Although I have seen it before, it came out lovely and I always seem to forget about it as a technique. Kudos to you for such lovely layouts and good luck on the Making Memories.
Wonderful. I especially liked the use of the celery as a stamp. Although I have seen it before, it came out lovely and I always seem to forget about it as a technique. Kudos to you for such lovely layouts and good luck on the Making Memories.
Wonderful. I especially liked the use of the celery as a stamp. Although I have seen it before, it came out lovely and I always seem to forget about it as a technique. Kudos to you for such lovely layouts and good luck on the Making Memories.
Wonderful. I especially liked the use of the celery as a stamp. Although I have seen it before, it came out lovely and I always seem to forget about it as a technique. Kudos to you for such lovely layouts and good luck on the Making Memories.
That is amazing!!! Yeah! Congrats. I loved your card. Very cool celery pics of how you used it as a stamp.
That is amazing!!! Yeah! Congrats. I loved your card. Very cool celery pics of how you used it as a stamp.
That is amazing!!! Yeah! Congrats. I loved your card. Very cool celery pics of how you used it as a stamp.
That is amazing!!! Yeah! Congrats. I loved your card. Very cool celery pics of how you used it as a stamp.
Yippee Julie! Congrats, congrats, congrats! =) Stamping with celery…you never cease to amaze! 😉
Jen
Yippee Julie! Congrats, congrats, congrats! =) Stamping with celery…you never cease to amaze! 😉
Jen
Yippee Julie! Congrats, congrats, congrats! =) Stamping with celery…you never cease to amaze! 😉
Jen
Yippee Julie! Congrats, congrats, congrats! =) Stamping with celery…you never cease to amaze! 😉
Jen
Seriously!! Can you just fly to Texas and sit with me and show me all these techniques? My GOODNESS you are one creative lady!!!!!!! LOVE your techniques. Love them!
Seriously!! Can you just fly to Texas and sit with me and show me all these techniques? My GOODNESS you are one creative lady!!!!!!! LOVE your techniques. Love them!
Seriously!! Can you just fly to Texas and sit with me and show me all these techniques? My GOODNESS you are one creative lady!!!!!!! LOVE your techniques. Love them!
Seriously!! Can you just fly to Texas and sit with me and show me all these techniques? My GOODNESS you are one creative lady!!!!!!! LOVE your techniques. Love them!
I can’t believe how many ideas and things you get done in one day! you are such an inspiration!!! Love the celery trick and the wedding dress. Thanks for sharing!
I can’t believe how many ideas and things you get done in one day! you are such an inspiration!!! Love the celery trick and the wedding dress. Thanks for sharing!
I can’t believe how many ideas and things you get done in one day! you are such an inspiration!!! Love the celery trick and the wedding dress. Thanks for sharing!
I can’t believe how many ideas and things you get done in one day! you are such an inspiration!!! Love the celery trick and the wedding dress. Thanks for sharing!
Congrats on placing so high in the contest!!! Let us know when we can vote!!!!
You never fail to inspire Julie! I can’t wait to try the celery stamping! and your roth-esque background is to die for!!!
xo
Michelle
Congrats on placing so high in the contest!!! Let us know when we can vote!!!!
You never fail to inspire Julie! I can’t wait to try the celery stamping! and your roth-esque background is to die for!!!
xo
Michelle
Congrats on placing so high in the contest!!! Let us know when we can vote!!!!
You never fail to inspire Julie! I can’t wait to try the celery stamping! and your roth-esque background is to die for!!!
xo
Michelle
Congrats on placing so high in the contest!!! Let us know when we can vote!!!!
You never fail to inspire Julie! I can’t wait to try the celery stamping! and your roth-esque background is to die for!!!
xo
Michelle
oooh you are soooo good! and sooo arty!
Right I’ve subscribed to the RSS feed to your blog and going to do both these awesome tutorials. (I’m going to print the dress onto Sticky back paper I think and use the back of it. 😉 because I don’t have a large xyron like you. only the 150) I’ll post a link to my blog when I do these tutorials. 😉
oooh you are soooo good! and sooo arty!
Right I’ve subscribed to the RSS feed to your blog and going to do both these awesome tutorials. (I’m going to print the dress onto Sticky back paper I think and use the back of it. 😉 because I don’t have a large xyron like you. only the 150) I’ll post a link to my blog when I do these tutorials. 😉
oooh you are soooo good! and sooo arty!
Right I’ve subscribed to the RSS feed to your blog and going to do both these awesome tutorials. (I’m going to print the dress onto Sticky back paper I think and use the back of it. 😉 because I don’t have a large xyron like you. only the 150) I’ll post a link to my blog when I do these tutorials. 😉
oooh you are soooo good! and sooo arty!
Right I’ve subscribed to the RSS feed to your blog and going to do both these awesome tutorials. (I’m going to print the dress onto Sticky back paper I think and use the back of it. 😉 because I don’t have a large xyron like you. only the 150) I’ll post a link to my blog when I do these tutorials. 😉
You constantly blow me away with your creativity! WOW!!! I especially love your use of the inks/color washes to give papers a completely different look. I need to try that–just got to build up the old confidence. You rock, girl!
You constantly blow me away with your creativity! WOW!!! I especially love your use of the inks/color washes to give papers a completely different look. I need to try that–just got to build up the old confidence. You rock, girl!
You constantly blow me away with your creativity! WOW!!! I especially love your use of the inks/color washes to give papers a completely different look. I need to try that–just got to build up the old confidence. You rock, girl!
You constantly blow me away with your creativity! WOW!!! I especially love your use of the inks/color washes to give papers a completely different look. I need to try that–just got to build up the old confidence. You rock, girl!
Congrats Julie! You totally rock! When I saw your card, I recognized immediately. Had to come by to give you some love…:) I can spot a Julie Fei-Fan Balzer original a mile away!
I love what you did with the celery…can’t wait to try it out…
Fabulous layouts!
Congrats Julie! You totally rock! When I saw your card, I recognized immediately. Had to come by to give you some love…:) I can spot a Julie Fei-Fan Balzer original a mile away!
I love what you did with the celery…can’t wait to try it out…
Fabulous layouts!
Congrats Julie! You totally rock! When I saw your card, I recognized immediately. Had to come by to give you some love…:) I can spot a Julie Fei-Fan Balzer original a mile away!
I love what you did with the celery…can’t wait to try it out…
Fabulous layouts!
Congrats Julie! You totally rock! When I saw your card, I recognized immediately. Had to come by to give you some love…:) I can spot a Julie Fei-Fan Balzer original a mile away!
I love what you did with the celery…can’t wait to try it out…
Fabulous layouts!
great tutorials! and layouts 🙂 you’re a star.
great tutorials! and layouts 🙂 you’re a star.
great tutorials! and layouts 🙂 you’re a star.
great tutorials! and layouts 🙂 you’re a star.
Congrats on making the top 20 card contest Julie! Awesome Cosmo Cricket as well (Nat made some great LO’s with that line posted on today’s blog). Celery…no one but you could come up with this AND make me want to try it.
Congrats on making the top 20 card contest Julie! Awesome Cosmo Cricket as well (Nat made some great LO’s with that line posted on today’s blog). Celery…no one but you could come up with this AND make me want to try it.
Congrats on making the top 20 card contest Julie! Awesome Cosmo Cricket as well (Nat made some great LO’s with that line posted on today’s blog). Celery…no one but you could come up with this AND make me want to try it.
Congrats on making the top 20 card contest Julie! Awesome Cosmo Cricket as well (Nat made some great LO’s with that line posted on today’s blog). Celery…no one but you could come up with this AND make me want to try it.
Many thanks for these videos !!!
I couldn’t imagine we can use celery in scrapbooking !!! Love the fantasy of your art !!!
i hate celery but i’ll buy it today !!!
congrats for the top 20 !
Many thanks for these videos !!!
I couldn’t imagine we can use celery in scrapbooking !!! Love the fantasy of your art !!!
i hate celery but i’ll buy it today !!!
congrats for the top 20 !
Many thanks for these videos !!!
I couldn’t imagine we can use celery in scrapbooking !!! Love the fantasy of your art !!!
i hate celery but i’ll buy it today !!!
congrats for the top 20 !
Many thanks for these videos !!!
I couldn’t imagine we can use celery in scrapbooking !!! Love the fantasy of your art !!!
i hate celery but i’ll buy it today !!!
congrats for the top 20 !
Hi,
I just wanted to say that I love your blog.
As a bride-to-be on a tight budget, I recently discovered an online bridal jewelry store called GlamForLess.com.
Though their website is plain and simple, I found some great deals on jewelry sets for me and my bridesmaids.
I think other readers on a tight budget may also find GlamForLess.com to be helpful.
You may want to check them out at http://www.glamforless.com/ and inform other readers about it.
Keep up the good work.
Best regards,
Lisa Bloom
Hi,
I just wanted to say that I love your blog.
As a bride-to-be on a tight budget, I recently discovered an online bridal jewelry store called GlamForLess.com.
Though their website is plain and simple, I found some great deals on jewelry sets for me and my bridesmaids.
I think other readers on a tight budget may also find GlamForLess.com to be helpful.
You may want to check them out at http://www.glamforless.com/ and inform other readers about it.
Keep up the good work.
Best regards,
Lisa Bloom
Hi,
I just wanted to say that I love your blog.
As a bride-to-be on a tight budget, I recently discovered an online bridal jewelry store called GlamForLess.com.
Though their website is plain and simple, I found some great deals on jewelry sets for me and my bridesmaids.
I think other readers on a tight budget may also find GlamForLess.com to be helpful.
You may want to check them out at http://www.glamforless.com/ and inform other readers about it.
Keep up the good work.
Best regards,
Lisa Bloom
Hi,
I just wanted to say that I love your blog.
As a bride-to-be on a tight budget, I recently discovered an online bridal jewelry store called GlamForLess.com.
Though their website is plain and simple, I found some great deals on jewelry sets for me and my bridesmaids.
I think other readers on a tight budget may also find GlamForLess.com to be helpful.
You may want to check them out at http://www.glamforless.com/ and inform other readers about it.
Keep up the good work.
Best regards,
Lisa Bloom
Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!
Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!
Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!
Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!
Please keep the positive posts coming. I find them very motivating.
Please keep the positive posts coming. I find them very motivating.
Please keep the positive posts coming. I find them very motivating.
Please keep the positive posts coming. I find them very motivating.
You deserve it. You have very creative ideas.
You deserve it. You have very creative ideas.
You deserve it. You have very creative ideas.
You deserve it. You have very creative ideas.
I’m not exactly sure how I stumbled onto your site but I am very happy that I did. Your work is amazing. I love it. STAY ENCOURAGED!
I’m not exactly sure how I stumbled onto your site but I am very happy that I did. Your work is amazing. I love it. STAY ENCOURAGED!
I’m not exactly sure how I stumbled onto your site but I am very happy that I did. Your work is amazing. I love it. STAY ENCOURAGED!
I’m not exactly sure how I stumbled onto your site but I am very happy that I did. Your work is amazing. I love it. STAY ENCOURAGED!