Christmas in July :)

I thought I would do something completely different for my post today. How about a little Christmas in July?! I created this little mini album to use as a fun Christmas Planner. I also included a few pictures on a couple of pages for some shopping inspiration.

Of course I can't make anything without adding some Quickutz. The Rev clipboard makes the perfect place for a list so I definitely wanted to include it in my planner. I used the QK metal sheets to make the top of the clipboard.

As soon as I saw the Lamp Post from the June release, the first thing I wanted to do with it was decorate it for Christmas. I used some QK rub-ons to make the string of lights on the lamp post, but you could also use the light string from the 2008 QK Holiday Gift Set.

You Scream, I Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream!

What would summer be without hearing the ice cream truck jingling down your street?
With this cute Ice Cream Treats CottageCutz die the ideas are endless. In the card above I used American Crafts paper to create my card and matched the colors in the paper for my ice cream treats. I popped them off the card just a bit with some mounting tape. This card is a matchbook fold and allows a place for a gift card inside. What a fun way to give a birthday treat to someone special with an ice cream gift card tucked inside.

This die is so versatile, you can make an ice cream sandwich, a popsicle, bomb pop and a fudgesicle in any color you'd like.

This simple postcard would be great as an invite for an ice cream party. Just print off your information on the computer and adhere that to the back of the this card for a quick and easy invite. Don't let your summer go by without some yummy Ice Cream Treats!

CottageCutz Tree w/Hearts & Leaves

When I saw the Cottage Cutz Tree w/Hearts & Leaves die, it was love at first sight. :) I had visions of doing cute Valentine's Day cards with it. But you know me, I alway think ahead as to what else can I do with a die to get my money's worth. So scroll down to see what I came up with. :)

I found a quote that made this die a good one for anniversary cards. All the leaves and hearts look SO pretty on this one when you see it "in person." :) What else could I use it for?

How about for Halloween? Cut the tree out of black paper and it takes on a "spooky" feel. I

glued eyeballs on it to make it even "scarier." :) The eyeballs are what I called "googlely eyes"

and can be found in craft stores with several to a package. How about one more sample with this die? :)

It can be used for winter or Christmas themes too. By cutting the tree from white paper, it looks "cold." :) I used some snowflake eyelets and then put crystal rhinestones in the centers of the

eyelets to make a "snow tree." You could also cut the tree from red paper, put it on a blue background and put white star brads on it for a patriotic theme. Or how about cutting it from green paper and putting shamrock brads on it for a very different St. Patrick's Day card or layout? Of course it would be pretty to cut it from brown paper for an autumn theme. I would leave it bare except for maybe one leaf brad laying at the base of the tree. That would be sharp! :) Maybe you could come up with even more ideas (and if you do, share them in the comments section with us). :) Be sure to check out all the great CottageCutz dies at Scrapping

Cottage.

Fun summer days are ours to remember!

I created this sweet little tag for a layout I am working

on. I had the incredible privilege of using my fun and

unique CottageCutz to get the look I really wanted!!

The CottageCutz Picnic Table and the Pitcher and

Lemon Tree are only two of the adorable dies that

are available at the ScrappingCottage! There are so

many other fantastic dies to choose from and right now

many of the dies are Buy 3, Get 1 Free!! Stop by and

pick up a few of these adorable dies today.....

the possibilites are endless!

Star Spangled Layout

What July layout would be complete without some stars on it?? And the Quickutz Nesting Stars are perfect to add stars large and small to your projects. I have also incorporated stamped stars, rub-ons, and even a little brad with a star to complete my star theme in this layout.

Another thing I really like about this layout is that I combined pictures from different events in July to give an overall review of our July Summer fun. That is very "out of the box" for me, but it is really a great way to capture a lot of memories all together on one layout. It is also a good way to use up extra pictures (which if you are like me, you have tons of extra pictures!!)

I used Vixen for my July title and the P is from Diesel Classic. Other Quickutz dies I used include the 2x2 photo corner (on sale right now for only $2.95!!) and the 2x2 tab die (also on sale for $2.95!!). If you haven't taken advantage of the incredible deals going on in the store right now for Quickutz dies, you are really missing out!! Click here and you can see the huge selection of dies that are on sale right now!!

Watch for it Wednesdays!! #18

For today's Watch For It Wednesday, I would like to show you a tip for using your Quickutz 12" borders. Now each border has a nice finished edge on either end, right, which looks great when you are using the entire length of the border. But what if you only want to use a portion of the border, but you still want a nice finished edge? This tip will show you how to put that finished edge on each end of your cut.

First, cut your paper slightly longer than your desired finished length. Place that piece on top of your border and roll it through your Revolution like normal to get your first cut.

Now, you need to decide how many scallops you want to have on your finished border. Once you determine where you last scallop will be, you'll want to place your cut piece back onto the die matching your marked spot with the end of the border die. You'll need to flip your cut piece over to do this.If you look closely here, you can see the edge of the die around the pink paper and you can see how I have lined up the scallop with the end of the die.

When you have your cut piece placed onto the die, the already rounded end will just rest on the remainder of the die. It won't touch any of the cutting surface, so you don't have to worry about it being re-cut.

Now that you have the first border cut lined up onto the border die again, simply roll it through your Revolution like you normally would to get your second cut which will finish off the second edge.This technique is great for smaller pages, cards, or even larger layouts where you just don't need to entire length of the border. You can use this technique on any of the other 12" borders that have a repetitive pattern like this scalloped border die. Click here to see the card I posted earlier where I used this technique to cut the scalloped piece of cardstock.

Have a COOL Summer

What would summer be without seeing the neighborhood kids selling lemonade on the corner?

I know I see this familiar sight quite often around my neighborhood. This CottageCutz Lemonade Stand die is amazing and there are so many possibilities. I applied the Quickutz Double sided adhesive to some white cardstock and ran this through my Revolution and then colored the pieces with my Copic Caio markers. Then I just peeled the pieces off and experimented on putting the pieces where I wanted them. You can always follow the colored picture that comes with each CottageCutz die or come up with your own colors and placement.

I decided I liked the canopy style top and the cute little LEMONADE word so I decided to use both. I used some Scotch Mounting Tape to pop up the signs for some dimension.

I also used the Quickutz Chicken Noodle Alphabet for the sentiment. This alphabet is tiny so you can use it to spell out just about anything you want to say. The Watch for it Wednesday tip on using removable tape and these smaller letters make placing these letters a snap!

Be sure to check out all the wonderful CottageCutz dies for all your summer activities and vacations and remember to HAVE A COOL SUMMER!


Today only - buy 3 CottageCutz dies get 1 free on selected dies.

Don't wait - call now!

Hoppy Monday!

Hope your Monday is a "hoppy" one. :) Today I'm sharing two quick and easy cards that use a

Sizzix Sizzlits die (the frog). I used the same cardstock and patterned paper but different rubber

stamps and embellishments. This frog is a simple one to do. Simply cut from green cardstock and then cut again with a small piece of ivory for the eyes. Choose a color of cardstock for the flower and cut it. Glue the eyes and flower. Chalk his cheeks and do some basic detail work with a black pen. Presto! You have a cute accent for your cards or layouts. :) Be sure to check

out all the great Sizzix, Hero Arts and KaiserCraft products at Scrapping Cottage.

Happy Birthday America!!!

I AM THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

By Howard Schnauber

I am the flag of the United States of America.

My name is "Old Glory".

I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.

I stand watch in America's halls of justice.

I fly majestically over institutions of learning.

I stand guard with power in the world.

Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.

I stand for freedom.

I am confident.

I am arrogant.

I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,

My head is a little higher,

My colors a little truer.

I bow to no one!

I am recognized all over the world.

I am worshipped -- I am saluted.

I am loved -- I am revered.

I am respected -- and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war

for more then 200 years.

I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg,

Shiloh and Appomattox.

I was there at San Juan Hill,

the trenches of France,

in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome

and the beaches of Normandy,

Guam, Okinawa, Korea, and Vietnam.

I was there. I led my troops.

I was dirty, battle-weary and tired,

but my soldiers cheered me

And I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled

on the streets of countries I have helped set free.

It does not hurt, for I am invincible.

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn

and trampled on the streets of my country.

And when it's by those whom I've served in battle -- it hurts.

But I shall overcome -- for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth

and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space

from my vantage point on the moon.

I have borne silent witness

to all of America's finest hours.

But my finest hours are yet to come.

When I am torn into strips

and used as bandages

for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,

When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,

Or when I lie in the trembling arms

of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,

I am proud.

MY NAME IS "OLD GLORY".

LONG MAY I WAVE.

DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN,

LONG MAY I WAVE.

Make a Wish Card

The moment I saw this new 2x2 Vase from the June QK release, it immediately reminded me of the Genie's lamp from "I Dream of Genie". I couldn't wait to get my hands on it so I could figure out a way to use it as a genie's lamp.

For this card, I used gold paper to cut out the vase shape and then I decorated it with stickles to make the jewels. The smoke was created using a silvery vellum which has just enough color to show up, but you still get that airy vellum look. The alphabet I used is Dragonfly which is one of the 4x8 alphas on sale in the store right now for $19.99!! We have all the 4x8 alphas in stock right now so don't miss out on this great sale!

WATCH FOR IT WEDNESDAYS #17

Today's tip is one about saving money. :) That's always a good thing, right? Especially if you have a daughter in college and are always broke like me. :) That's one reason I love my Sizzix dies. It's like an investment in something that I know I can use over and over. By changing papers, etc. I can get many varied looks. My tip though involves REALLY looking at your die and seeing if you can change it. This way you'll be able to get more use from it and SAVE MONEY. :) By using scissors and making some simple cuts, you can get new looks from your

diecuts. For my example, I used the Sizzix Sizzlits Hello Kitty called Corners, Flowers (#65584).

The first picture shows what the die looks like when cut. Then look at my example and see that I simply snipped off the hearts and flowers. This opens up a lot more room for play with this die! :) So the next time you get out your diecuts, see how you can get a "different" look from

them by making some snips of your own. :) Be sure to check out all the great products at great prices at Scrapping Cottage!! :)

Summer Sunflowers

Today I'm going to feature the CottageCutz Sunflower which is absolutely perfect for summer cards and layouts. When I think of sunflowers I think of the of the lazy days of summer and denim overalls so I decided to use this denim patterned paper to give this card a casual, relaxed feel. I cut my pieces from Bazzill and American Crafts cardstock, inked the edges of the flower and leaves and used my black Copic marker to color the dots on the inside of the flower and then applied some Stickles. I also used the Quickutz Label 2x2 die for my sentiment block.

Be sure to check out all the wonderful Summertime CottageCutz dies for all your summer projects.

Looking for a fun accent to add to your cards? Try stitching seed beads on them. It is fun and easy when you use a Sizzix die for your "sewing pattern." For my "Love Birds" card, I used the

Sizzix Bigz die called Flowers and Vines #2. You simply glue the "vine" diecut to the card and

punch holes in it using a paper piercer. Then you have a guide to follow when stitching your beads. How easy is that? :) Be sure to check out all the great Sizzix and Hero Arts products at

Scrapping Cottage.

Adorable U!

"A person's a person, no matter how small."

Dr. Suess

Children are so amazing and so unpredictable. They are

innocent and adorable. They are God's gift of love to a needy

world. They are joy for today and hope for the future!

I have always wanted to try to create one of those "tear bears". I

have seen them on layouts and have drooled over them on eBay!

(I have seen some projects with tear bears sell for over $300!! Oh

my goodness!!) So I researched the project and all that I would

need to embark upon the bear making path. Then I sat down to

create the adorable little bear. 13 hours later......Walla! :O)

I really enjoyed creating this layout. I put a lot of hours into it

but I never mind doing that if I am happy with the results!

I used Tim Holtz Black Soot Distress Ink, Kaisercraft

Black Rhinestones, QuicKutz 2x2 Cherry and QuicKutz

2x2 Mini Tags. Every one of these awesome products can be

found at The Scrapping Cottage, and there is much more

where these came from!! Have fun shopping! :O)

"Hay Ewe"

I created this funny little hello card using the new QK Rev Barn die from the June Quickutz Release. I decided to add a bit of trim to the top of my barn so since I had cut the barn out twice already (once in the red stripe and once in the white), I just took the white piece of barn and trimmed the edge off the top to add to the red barn.

I also used the QK 12" cloud border, 2x2 grass, 2x2 sheep (here is cute sheep that is very similar from Sizzix), and the sun is from the Sunshine Gift Set. I picked Chick a dee for the sentiment because it is such a fun and whimsical little alpha I thought it would be a great touch to this card. The inking was done with Tim Holtz distress inks.

WATCH FOR IT WEDNESDAY #16

Today I'm going to show you a great tip on placing small letters on your cards or layouts.

I used the new Quickutz Chicken Noodle Alphabet, it's great to have all the alphabet on one 4x4 die but trying to place these tiny letters can be challenging. I place my letters where I want them and then I take a piece of removable Scotch tape and place it over the first line of my letters.

Once they're stuck to the tape I lift it off and put my glue in tiny dots on my letters.


I then take the tape and place the letters where I want them and gently peel the tape away as I hold by letters down exactly where I want them.

Then I do the next lines and Walla! The letters are all placed exactly where I want them!
Because I'm frugal I save my tape strips and use them over again, I just stick the strip to something in my work area.

Ever since I learned this tip it has saved me lots of time and frustration with my diecut letters.

For my Pool Party invite I used the Quickutz Chicken Noodle 4x4 die, the CottageCutz Playpool and the grass off the CottageCutz Picnic Table die.

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Anyone for Ice Cream???

It's officially summer and one of my favorite treats is ice cream. What's your favorite? I have several but Mint chocolate chip is one of my all time favorites so I had to make sure and add that flavor to my ice cream cone. This CottageCutz Ice Cream Cones die is so versatile. It was almost as fun creating my diecut cone as eating a real one! There are two waffle cone variations and three different ice cream scoops to choose from. You can even add fudge sauce, sprinkles and a cherry! Think of all the possibilities with this fun die. I cut out my pieces and used Copic markers to outline the edges and add a little detail. You could use ink pads, chalk, Stickles, whatever strikes your fancy and these will sure to turn out yummy enough to want to eat.

Be sure to check out all the June releases to help complete your summer cards and layouts.

The July CottageCutz dies have been released and have special introductory prices till June 26th so don't wait!

I have been having some "shoe" fun this week with a Sizzix Sizzlits die from a set called

Purse, Shoe & Phone. I love the shape of this shoe and it is a super easy one to cut and

decorate. :) I found a couple of funny "shoe quotes" that inspired these two cards. That's

another thing I like to do is collect quotes that go with my stamp and die collection. I keep

them in an altered notebook. It comes in very handy when it is time to make a card. :)
Here are more shoe quotes that would be great using the above shoe die:

"If the shoe fits, buy one in every color."

"If the shoe fits, it's expensive."

"Is it time to go home yet? I keep clicking these *$%#*$ shoes and nothing happens."

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you

criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."

"I'm a shoe fiend. That reminds me---I need to go shopping!"

"Shopping tip: You can get shoes at the bowling alley for 85 cents."

"Fashion Law: If the shoe fits, its ugly."

Have fun making your own shoe cards!!!!! Be sure to check out all the great products

at Scrapping Cottage (You can do it in air-conditioning!) :)

Happy Father's Day!!

God bless all the Fathers of the world.

This month's winner is..............

There was a lot of love for this month's Quickutz release and the winner of our monthly release contest.....by random number generator is.............
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Katherine!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!

Please email Scrapping Cottage to select your free die from the June Quickutz release!

Let us know what you picked!!

Welcome Card

I been playing with another one of the new Rev House dies from the June QK release. I just love all the different styles of houses in this release. I can't wait to start combining parts from all the different houses!

I thought a house would be a perfect addition to the front of a welcome card. I used some stickles to make little flowers in the bushes. (The house is actually green but in the scan it comes up very light - not sure why??)

Don't forget that today is your last chance to post a comment in this thread for your chance to win a free die from this month's Quickutz release!! (Alphas/number sets not included).

Hope you have a scrappy Saturday!!

Retirement Tree!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the

things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off

the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade

winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.— Mark Twain

I have a dear friend at work who is retiring today!! Yippee!!

Although we will miss him we are so very glad for him!

I was asked to "decorate" the envelope for his card.....
this is what I came up with! :O)
I used the QuicKutz 2x2 sign, as well as, many other
fun dies. Be sure to check out the awesome QuicKutz
shape sale going on right now at the Scrapping Cottage.

Most 2x2 dies are $2.95 and most 4x4 dies are $4.95!!

Home Sweet Home

I think these new Home shapes from the June Quickutz release are so fun and practical!! I have used one of the new Rev Houses and the Rev mailbox from the June release plus lots of other Quickutz dies on this layout. These house dies are so versatile that you can use any combination of colors and paper you want. I even added a little doodling to my Rev house die cut to give it a whimsical look to go with the My Little Shoebox papers. I also used the Quickutz metal sheets to make my Rev Mailbox. I just love that whole line of adhesive sheets that Quickutz makes now!! Other Quickutz dies I used include Supermarket 4x8 Alpha, Cookie Cutter Nesting Labels, 12" Scalloped Border, and the 2x2 Photo corner.

July Cottage Cutz Dies

Run don't walk to check out the latest Cottage Cutz dies being released for July!!! They are absolutely adorable!! Lots of fun Hawaiian and other tropical shapes. I want them all!! :) We are also offering special pricing on these fabulous new dies until June 26th which is even more reason to pre-order yours today. We anticipate these will begin shipping mid-July.

Watch for it Wednesday #15

This week I am going to show you how to distress paper, tags,

die cuts, etc with ink! I am using patterned paper for my example

but this technique works wonderfully with cardstock, as well!

You will need your patterned paper or cardstock item, some Tim

Holtz Distressing Ink, a water spray bottle, and an iron! After you

have gathered your items, the first step is to crumple up your paper

into a ball. Really, REALLY crumple it....don't hold back! :O) Now

you can uncrumple your item and and rub the Distressing Ink all

over it! You can use one or more colors of the ink...it is designed to

flow across the paper, when sprayed with the water, but will keep

it's tonal value! It is the most awesome ink ever!

Now hold your paper item in the palm of your hand and spray it
four or five times with water. The final step is to lightly iron your
paper with a warm iron. This helps smooth out the wrinkles and
dries the water on your paper. You did it! Now you can go add
your amazing design to your layout or card!

The Scrapping Cottage has a great selection of Tim Holtz

Distressing Ink, all of which can be used for projects like this!

This incredible store also carries the QuicKutz 4 x4 Pirate Costume

and the 2x2 sword if you would like to create a little pirate of your own!

Cottage Cutz Window and Flower Pot

Who would have ever thought paper curtains could be so fun. When I saw this CottageCutz Window and Flower Pot die I immediately knew I wanted my curtains out of a bright and cheery patterned paper.

I thought this would make a good Get Well card and brighten someone's day.

First I cut the die out of white cardstock and the orange patterned paper and inked the edges.

Then I took my Copic markers and colored the flower and the pot and backed this all with a piece of light blue cardstock for the window. I used some tiny lines of Stickles on the window to make it look real. I added the brads after I assembled the card and didn't want the back of the brads showing through my card so I cut off the brad tabs and then used glue dots to secure them to my card.

So when you're adding those fun new Quickutz to your cart don't forget to add a few CottageCutz dies too - they're so fun to work with.

Here is a picture of what this die looks like.