Life is Beautiful Scrapbook Layout

I'm back on the Creative Scrapbooker Blog today as a guest blogger sharing my Life is Beautiful Scrapbook Layout featuring Southern Ridge Trading Company, Ranger Ink, Emerald Creek Craft Supplies and Bo Bunny products.

I hope that you'll head over to the Creative Scrapbooker Blog to read about how I created my scrapbook layout, so that you can recreate it at home.

-Katelyn

Season's Greetings Wall Hanging

Merry Christmas! I'm back on the Elizabeth Craft Designs blog for my last guest post today.  I've created this beautiful Season's Greetings Wall Hanging that is perfect for decorating your home with.  The wall hanging features a variety of their dies, paper, adhesives and glitter dot stickers. 

You'll want to make sure your way over to Elizabeth Crafts Designs Blog to read all about how I created my beautiful Season's Greetings Wall Hanging, so that you can recreate them at home. Thank you to Elizabeth Craft for having me guest post over the last couple of months! To all my readers, I hope you and your loved ones have a fantastic Christmas sharing it with loved ones and friends.

-Katelyn

Year in Review for Emerald Creek Craft Supplies

 Today, I get to kick off the Year in Review on the Emerald Creek Dares blog. Pam, one of my fellow design team members, approached the team wondering if we would like to participate in a Year in Review of all of our projects created for Emerald Creek. From today until December.31st, each design team member will get to share with you all of their projects they've created for Emerald Creek over this past year. It's been a fantastic year of creating projects for Emerald Creek and having to push myself creatively. At the end of January, I will be stepping back from my regular design team position and taking on a new role with Kim. But don't worry, I will still be posting quarterly for Emerald Creek. 

You'll want to make sure to head over to the Emerald Creek Dares blog to see all of my projects from the year as well as learn how I created each one by clicking the link above the project photo. To all my readers, I want to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

- Katelyn 

Wishing You an Abundance of Christmas Miracles Card

I'm back on the Southern Ridge Trading blog today to share with you some inspiration for our current monthly challenge which is all about "Christmas and New Years".  With the challenge in mind I created a Christmas card that's sure to inspire you.

Make sure to head over to the Southern Ridge Trading Company Blog so that you can learn all about how I created my Christmas card. While you're checking out my project, make sure to participate in our monthly challenge. You can find all the details here on how to enter. 

- Katelyn

Covered Notebooks

It's hard to believe that Christmas is only 6 days away and I'm sure for most of you, you're still trying to get everything done on your list. Today I'm back on the Graphic 45 blog sharing with you a last minute gift idea. Do you have notebooks lying around? Why not cover them using Graphic 45's Off to The Races collection as I have. Make sure to read all the way down in my post as I have a tutorial so you can recreate my covered notebooks at home.  You'll want to head over to the Graphic 45 blog to check out the rest of the photos of my project as well as fellow design team member Aneta who has also created a fabulous Christmas project for you.

Covering notebooks is a lot of fun and an easy way to personalize it for the recipient.

Tip: Mix paper, chipboard and metal embellishments to create lots of interest on the front of your notebook.

Tip:  Slightly roll one of the corners either up or down on the postage stamps to give extra dimension.

Here's the tutorial on how to make my Covered Notebooks at home:

Check out How to Cover a Set of Notebooks by Katelyn Grosart on Snapguide.

To see more pictures of my Covered Notebooks, you'll want to head over to the Graphic 45 blog.

Supplies Used:

- Off to the Races 12”x12” Pad

- Off to the Races 12”x12” Patterns & Solids Pad

- Off to the Races Ephemera Cards

- Off to the Races 12”x12” Cardstock Stickers

- Off to the Races Tags & Pockets

- Off to the Races Chipboard 1

- Staples: Ornate Metal Keys

- Doilies

- Walnut Distress Ink & Blending Tool

- Sookwang Tape

- Foam Squares

- Paper Trimmer

- Scissors

Thanks for stopping by and make sure to head over to the Graphic 45 blog  to check out the rest of the photos of my project as well as Aneta's fabulous project!

-Katelyn

Last Minute Gift Idea - Chocolate Gift Box

Are you ready for the holidays?

Do you need some last minute gift ideas?

We invite you to join the Last Minute Gift Ideas blog hop with a great group of talented designers. Hop from blog to blog and find easy, fast and amazing last minute gift ideas!

You can also win a great prize! Visit all the blogs participating in the hop, leave a comment and you can win a $100 Visa gift card!

 My project for the Last Minute Gift Idea blog hop is a chocolate gift box which is perfect to give as a host or hostess gift during this busy holiday season. You'll want to grab a cup of your favourite beverage and enjoy the tutorial below so that you'll be able to recreate my layout at home. Make sure to read the entire blog post so that you can head over to the next designer's blog. 

To start, you'll need to cut five pieces from the Sweet Tooth paper that measure:

 4 1/2" x 9 1/2", 2" x 12", 2" x 4 1/2", & 2 - 3" x 3 7/8". For the 4 1/2" x 9 1/2" piece, make sure the word side is up and score it at 3 3/8" x 5 7/8". For the 2" x 12" piece, make sure the candy side is up and score it at 3, 6 1/8" & 10 3/8". For the 2" x 4 1/2" piece, make sure the candy side is up and score it at 3 1/4" & 7 3/8". 

The second piece of paper you'll need to cut is the Be Jolly paper. You'll need to cut two pieces that measure: 2" x 12" and 2" x 8 1/2". On the 2" x 12", you'll need to score it at 3", 6 1/8" & 10 3/8". For the 2" x 8 1/2", you'll need to score it at 3 1/4" & 7 3/8".

The last piece of paper that needs to be cut is the Bells and Bows paper. You'll need to cut a piece to  4 1/2" x 5 7/8", score the paper at 3 3/8".

With all of the patterned paper cut, edge distress all the edges of patterned paper with your edge distressor. Once the edges have been distressed, with a blending tool, ink the edges of all the patterned paper with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. 

From the St. Nicholas paper, fussy cut out four holly bunches. Once the holly bunches have been cut out, with a blending tool ink the edges of holly with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

From the Candy Cane Wishes paper, fussy cut out four candy canes out. Once the candy canes have been cut out, with a blending tool ink the edges of candy canes with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

From the Season's Greetings paper, fussy cut out five postage stamps out. Once the postage stamps have been cut out, with a blending tool ink the edges of postage stamps with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

From the same piece as well as a second piece of the Season's greeting paper you'll want to cut out both Do Not Open borders. One of the Do Not Open borders needs to stay whole. From the second border, cut two pieces at 4 1/2". Once the borders have been cut, with a blending tool ink the edges of the border with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

The last few pieces of paper that will need to be cut is a 4" x 3" piece from the Starry Night paper and a piece that measures 4 1/8" x 3 1/8" piece from the Christmas Cheer paper. You'll also want to trim down the ephemera card with a wreath on it to 2 7/8" x 3 7/8".  From the second wreath ephemera card, trim off the green and holly berry borders. Once the papers have been cut, edge distress them with a edge distressor. Once the edges have been distressed, with a blending tool, ink the edges of all the patterned paper with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. 

Now it's time for the decorating of the box. To start, apply Tombow liquid glue to the Christmas words paper. Wrap and adhere the paper on the outside of the ATC book box.

Apply Tombow liquid glue to the cream holly paper. Adhere the paper to the inside lid of the ATC book box.

Next, apply the Tombow liquid glue to the 2" x 12" green holly paper. Start wrapping the piece of paper from the back side of the box. Once the first piece is adhered, apply Tombow liquid glue to the second piece of green holly paper. Start wrapping the second piece at the corner on the right hand side and wrap all the way to the back of the box.

Apply Tombow liquid glue to the 12" candy paper and start wrapping it around the inside of the box starting in the top left hand corner. With the first piece of paper wrapped, apply Tombow liquid glue to the second piece of candy paper and start wrapping it in the bottom left hand corner and wrap it up. Adhere one of the 3" x 4" candy piece of paper to the bottom of the inside of the box.

To finish off the inside of the box, start by applying Tombow liquid glue to the 12" border strip and start wrapping it around the bottom at the top left hand corner. Apply Tombow liquid glue to the second border strip and start wrapping it around the bottom of the left hand corner. Once the border has been adhered, adhere the second 3" x 4" piece of candy paper in the bottom of the box. 

Once the inside pieces have been adhered to the inside of the box, using Tombow liquid glue to back of the box and adhere the bottom half of the flap to the back of the box. Make sure to hold the back of the box for five minutes to allow the glue to set.

With the back flap adhere to the back of the box, adhere a door pull to the middle front of the box.

To finish the front of the box, adhere two postage stamps in the bottom right hand corner. To finish the stamps,  roll down the top right hand corner of one of the stamps and roll down the top left hand corner of the second stamp.

Now it's time to decorate the top of the box. To start, adhere the wreath ephemera card to the gold paper. Adhere the gold paper to the red and cream dot paper. Adhere the red and cream dot paper to the top of the red Christmas word paper. Using foam squares, adhere the cut down wreath ephemera over top of the wreath that's already adhered to the top of the box.

Adhere the last border piece 1/4" from the bottom of red and cream dot paper. Once the border has been adhered, use thin foam squares to adhere the 'Tis The Season greeting to the middle of the border.

In the top left hand corner, adhere one holly bunch, two candy canes and one postage stamp. Once the postage stamp has been adhered, roll down the top left and roll up the bottom right hand corner. In the bottom right hand corner, adhere three holly bunches, two candy canes and two postage stamps over top of the holly bunches. Make sure to roll the top right and top left corners of the postage stamps.

The last element that needs to be added to the top of the box is to adhere a ornate metal key in the top left hand corner, underneath the right hand side of the postage stamp. You'll want to adhere a second ornate metal key in the bottom right hand corner underneath the the left hand side of the holly bunch.

To finish the outside of the box, adhere a pearl bauble in each of the four corners of the box.

With the box now decorated, here are some close up photos of the box finished.

I was able to add three layers of chocolate inside the box. Just make sure to lay a piece of parchment in between the layers of chocolate so if one melts, it won't damage the box.

Other Supplies Used:

- Graphic 45 - 12"x12" St. Nicholas Paper:  Christmas Cheer, Bells & Bows, Sweet Tooth, Candy Cane Wishes, St. Nicholas, Starry Night, Season's Greeting & Be Jolly!, St. Nicholas Ephemera and St. Nicholas Tags & Pockets

- Graphic 45 - Staples: Ornate Metal Keys, Shabby Chic Door Pull & ATC Book Box - Ivory

- Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Baubles

- Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink: Distress Ink - Walnut Stain

- Ranger Ink: Blending Tool

- Sookwang Tape

- Tombow: Aqua Mono Liquid Glue

- Misc: Corner Rounder, Foam Squares (thin and regular), paper trimmer with score tool & scissors

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog and checking out my project. You'll want to make sure to head over to Einat's blog to check out her fabulous Last Minute Gift Idea.

You have plenty of chances to enter to win $100 Visa gift card on any of the participating blogs. 

Here's the hop list:

Ola Khomenok

Patti Hodder

Kathy Clement

Alexandra Morein

Sandy Trefger

Gloria Stengel

Pam Bray

Einat Alagem

Keren Tamir

Larissa Pittman

Terry Ricioli

Katelyn Grosart <<You're here

Einat Kessler

Susan M. Brown

Steph Ackerman

Eileen Hull

Rita Barakat

Mahe Zehra

 Everyone is eligible to win, whether you’re in the U.S. or international.

In order to win leave a comment answering the question – “What is your favourite “can’t live without” craft supply or tool?” 
Here is the prize widget to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway   
The winner of the $100 Visa gift card will be announced on einatkessler.com on Sunday, Dec 25th.

- Katelyn

We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Winter Wishes on the Emerald Creek Dares Blog

We're continuing our Winter Wishes theme today on the Emerald Creek Dares blog. It's all about Christmas, New Years or Hanukkah for our projects this month and the design team has created some wonderful projects using the winter wishes theme. For my piece, I wanted to create for you a "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" card as I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope that you have a wonderful holiday spending time with family and friends. Grab a cup of your favourite beverage and enjoy reading my tutorial so that you can recreate my card at home.

To start, you'll need to cut a piece of  100lb White Cardstock at 5 5/8" x 4 5/8".  With your cardstock cut, apply the Emboss It dabber ink to the Christmas Polka stamp. Reapply the ink to the Christmas polka stamp and stamp to the right of your first stamped Christmas Polka image. With the Christmas Polka image stamped, sprinkle Charred Gold Embossing Powder overtop of the entire surface. Tap off the excess powder and emboss with a heat tool. Reapply the Emboss It dabber to the Christmas Polka stamp and stamp in areas on the paper that are bare. Once your happy with the areas being filled in, sprinkle Charred Gold embossing powder overtop. Tap off the excess powder and emboss with a heat tool.

With the embossing done on the piece of paper, with a blending tool, apply Antique Linen Distress Ink over the entire surface of the paper. Once the paper has been inked, take an edge distressor and distress all the edges of the paper. With the edges distressed, take a blending tool and Walnut Stain Distress Ink and ink the edges of the paper.

Next, you'll want to cut a piece of 100lb White Cardstock to 4 1/8" x 5 1/8".  With the paper cut, take a blending tool and blend Antique Linen Distress Ink over the entire surface of the paper. Once the paper is coloured, dry with a heat tool. Apply the Emboss It Ink to the Flakee stamp and stamp in the bottom right hand corner. Continue to reapply the emboss it ink to the flakee stamp and stamp in all four corners. Once the snowflake has been stamped, sprinkle Soft Fallen Snow Embossing Powder overtop of each snowflake. Tap off the excess powder and emboss the snowflakes with a heat tool. Take your edge distressor and distress the edges of the paper. With the edges distressed, take a blending tool and Walnut Stain Distress Ink and ink the edges of the paper and dry with a heat tool. Once your edges are inked, take your emboss it dabber, and run it around all four edges. Sprinkle Soft Fallen Snow Embossing powder on each side of the paper. Tap off the excess powder and emboss with a heat tool.

The last piece of 100lb White Cardstock you'll need to cut is 3 3/4" x 4 3/4". Apply Potting Soil Archival Ink to the Partridge Family stamp and stamp onto the cut piece of cardstock. 

For colouring the Partridge family image, you'll need to pull out the following Tombow markers: 969, 990, 025, 249 & 933 as well as a couple of paintbrushes and a palette. Take marker number 249 and apply some onto a palette, dip your paint brush into some water, brush a bit off on your hand and pick up the green colour, colour all the leaves. You will need to continue dipping your brush in water, brushing a bit off on your hand and then picking up the green colour until all the leaves are coloured. Next you'll need marker number 025 and apply some onto the palette, dip your paint brush into some water, brush a bit off on your hand and pick up the yellow colour, colour all the pears. You will need to continue dipping your brush in water, brushing a bit off on your hand and then picking up the yellow colour until all the pears are coloured in. Next, take marker number 969 and apply some onto the palette, dip your paint brush into some water, brush a bit off on your hand and pick up the brown colour, colour all the branches and tree stumps. You will need to continue dipping your brush in water, brushing a bit off on your hand and then picking up the brown colour until all the branches and tree stumps are coloured in. 

To continue colouring your Partridge Family image, take marker number 933 and apply some onto a palette, dip your paint brush into some water, brush a bit off on your hand and pick up the orange colour, colour all the beaks and collars on the partridge's. You will need to continue dipping your brush in water, brushing a bit off on your hand and then picking up the orange colour until all the beaks and collars on the partridge's are coloured. Next you'll need marker number 025 and apply some onto the palette, dip your paint brush into some water, brush a bit off on your hand and pick up the yellow colour, colour all the heads and bodies of the partridge's. You will need to continue dipping your brush in water, brushing a bit off on your hand and then picking up the yellow colour until all the heads and bodies of the partridges are coloured in.  The last marker you'll need is number 969 and apply some onto the palette, dip your paint brush into some water, brush a bit off on your hand and pick up the brown colour, colour all the feathers of the partridge's. You will need to continue dipping your brush in water, brushing a bit off on your hand and then picking up the brown colour until all the feathers of the partridge's are coloured in. 

To finish colouring the partridge family image, take marker number 990 and apply some onto the palette, dip your paint brush into some water, brush a bit off on your hand and pick up the tan colour, colour all the backgrounds of the Partridge images. You will need to continue dipping your brush in water, brushing a bit off on your hand and then picking up the tan colour until all the backgrounds of the Partridge images are coloured. Take your heat tool and dry the entire image.

With the image now dry, take a blending tool and Antique Linen Distress Ink and ink where the white spaces are.  Once all the white spaces have been inked, take a edge distressor and ink the edges of the paper. With the edges distressed, take a blending tool and Walnut Stain Distress Ink and ink the edges. 

Next, you'll want to apply Potting Soil Archival ink to the We Wish You stamp and stamp onto a piece of scrap 100lb White Cardstock.  Once the sentiment has been stamped, take a blending tool and Antique Linen Distress Ink and ink over the entire sentiment.

With the sentiment stamped, cut the sentiment down to 1/4" wide x 3 1/4" long.  Once the sentiment is cut down, create a banner by notching both ends. With the sentiment banner created, take an edge distressor and distress the edges. Once the edges have been distressed, take a blending tool and Walnut Stain distress ink and ink the edges of the banner.

Before assembling the card, you'll need to create a cardbase using Tim Holtz Adirondack Core'dinations collection in the Espresso colour. Cut the cardstock to 5 7/8" x 9 3/4", score at 4 7/8". Once the cardbase has been cut, sand all four of the edges using a sanding block.

With the cardbase cut, now we can start assembling the card front to the cardbase. Adhere the Christmas Polka custom background to the cardbase.

Apply foam squares to the back of the piece with the snowflakes in the four corners. Adhere to the middle of the Christmas Polka background. Next, you'll want to adhere the partridge family image to the snowflake piece. Roll the top left corner down and bottom right hand corner up on the partridge family image. This will show the snowflake in each corner.

To finish the card, you'll want to add the "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" sentiment using thin foam squares and adhere it to the middle of the partridge family image.

With your card being finished, here's the card with all of the elements on it.

Products Used From Emerald Creek:

- Soft Fallen SnowEmbossing Powder

- Charred Gold Embossing Powder

- Christmas Polka

- Flakee

- Partridge Family

- We Wish You

- 100lb White Cardstock

Other Products Used:

- Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink: Distress Ink - Antique Linen and Walnut Stain

- Ranger Ink: Emboss It Dabber

- Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink: Potting Soil Archival Ink

- Tombow Markers - 969, 990, 025, 249 and 933

- Tim Holtz for Core'dinations: Adirondack Collection - Espresso

- Misc: Heat Tool, Sanding Block and Paint Brushes

Make sure that you go and check out the rest of the Emerald Creek Dares Design Team taking part in this challenge as they have all created fantastic pieces for this week's challenge:

Jess

Claudia

Cathy

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my We Wish You a Merry Christmas Card. Don't forget  to enter your project into our Emerald Creek Dares Challenge for your chance to win a $50.00 gift certificate for the Emerald Creek Store!

- Katelyn