ShortCuts Clear Box

My first month as DT member for ShortCuts is over already. It is great to be part of the ShortCuts team as I love the products. The clear card blanks/sheets and Gift Card Holder Folders are so much fun to work with. ShortCuts does not only sell clear and frosted card blanks, but also full sheets (8.5x11") that you can use for all kinds of projects. Today I show you a clear box that I made of 2 clear full sheets.



Tutorial



Cut a 7 1/2" square, and a 5 3/16" square
Score the 7 1/2" square piece at 2" on all 4 sides
Score the 5 3/16" square piece at 3/4" on all 4 sides
Make one cut from the outside edge to the inner square on each corner of both pieces
Fold the flaps in and glue down to form the box and top
Now you can decorate the box and top



Supplies: ShortCuts Clear Full Sheet Patterned paper, ribbon: Making Memories Love Notes Flower: Prima Marketing Button: Rusty Pickle Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One, Martha Stewart Doily Lace Edge Punch Ink: VersaColor Pinecone Other: twine, foam tape

I'll be back tomorrow with a card.

Cover Girl......and Boy

This morning I went to Paper & Pictures in Doorn to pick up some new papers that Truike, the owner took with her from CHA. I can tell you that she had lots - and I mean LOTS - of yummy goodies in her suitcases. I now have some gorgeous Pink Paislee, Bo Bunny and Jillibean Soup papers to play with. Lucky me! Truike also gave me a copy of the new Scrapbook Magazine that will hit the stores next week. And look......Eric and I are on the cover!! What a wonderful surprise!! When I got home I had also received a copy of the magazine in the mail. All subscribers should have the magazine in the mail either today or tomorrow. My dear friend Hanneke made it to the cover too. The little box at the bottom is hers. It is her first publication in the Scrapbook Magazine and I am really happy for her. The magazine is full of gorgeous projects.



Tomorrow my SIL Lisette will have dinner with us. She will be in the Netherlands this weekend. I really look forward to see her again.

Well, I am off to make myself a cup of tea and read the magazine.

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks so much for all your sweet comments.

Laura's Sketch 18 & Rae's Bonus Sketch

I am always off on Wednesdays, and this morning I had no appointments or other things to do. Well, I could have spend some time on cleaning the house, but instead I did some scrapping. It is so good to spend time on something you really enjoy doing.

This week is the last week of the 2 Sketches 4 You Winter Design Team. I really enjoyed their gorgeous work in the past 3 months. The girls are very talented and always inspired me. Thanks, girls!!

My first card is based on Laura's Sketch 18. I can't get enough of the lovely Love Notes collection from Making Memories. I so love the colors and designs. The collection is perfect for Love/Valentine themed cards, but this time I made a birthday card.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, ribbon: Making Memories Love Notes Letter stickers: American Crafts Daiquiri Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One, EK Success Circle Punch Ink: VersaColor Pinecone Other: Prima Marketing Say It With Crystals, foam tape

The other card is based on Rae Barthel's bonus sketch. I made this card last evening and the other one this morning. The sketches are totally different, but my cards turned out to look very much alike. Probably because I used the same papers and Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One dies. I just HAD to use my new dies that arrived in the mail yesterday. I did some hand stitching on this card. Usually I use my sewing machine, but this time I wanted to hand stitch like Peet Roeven. Peet's cards are always stunning, and the hand stitching adds a lovely touch to her cards. Peet revealed her 'secret' here. My stitching is not as neat as Peet's, but she is way more experienced. :)



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, ribbon: Making Memories Love Notes Flower: Prima Marketing Button: Autumn Leaves Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, QuicKutz Alphabet Maddie Anne, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One, EK Success Corner Punch Large Ink: VersaColor Pinecone Other: thread, foam tape

I can't wait to find out who will be on the 2 Sketches 4 You Spring Design Team. I am sure that Kazan and Laura have chosen a fabulous team.

Have a wonderful day!

Dolls' Online Crop & ShortCuts DT Projects

This evening I hosted the 3rd online card crop over at the Dolls & Decorations forum. As you know, Dolls & Decorations will close its doors on March 1st and the forum will probably be closed too. This evening's crop was supposed to be the last one, but as everyone was so enthusiastic this evening I decided to host another one in February. It is so much fun to organize these crops, think of the challenges and make some examples.

The first challenge was to create a card using cardstock only. One was allowed to use any embellishments, but no patterned paper. My card is inspired by Danni Reid who often uses the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder. Her cards are gorgeous. Go and check her blog.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Martha Stewart ZigZag border punch, QuicKutz Alphabet Diesel Classic, EK Success Corner Punch Large Button: Rusty Pickle Other: satin ribbon, cord, foam tape

With Valentine's Day coming up the second challenge was to make a Valentine's card. I used a ShortCuts clear card base. I am totally addicted to the clear and frosted card blanks. The new Making Memories Love Notes line is perfect for a Valentine themed card or layout. I so love the papers and ribbons. I might make this card again, and then fold and cut off a part of the heart on the left side. I was already finished when I thought that might have looked better. Anyway, I am pleased with the result.



Supplies: SheetLoad ShortCuts Clear Card Blank Patterned paper, ribbon: Making Memories Love Notes Button: Rusty Pickle Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, Sizzix Hearts #1 die, QuicKutz Alphabet Diesel Classic Other: cord, foam tape

The third challenge was to make a Spring themed card using the color green, a ribbon and a flower. Again I used a clear card blank. I told you I am addicted. :-)



Supplies: SheetLoad ShortCuts clear card blank Patterned paper: Scenic Route Ashville Ribbon: Bo Bunny Flower: Prima Marketing Button: Rusty Pickle Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Tools: Martha Stewart Floral Lace border punch Other: cord

The fourth and last challenge was to creat a gift card holder/card. I used this gift card holder folder as an example, so won't show it again.

Don't forget to use the 10% ShortCuts discount code on the right sidebar if you would like to order any of the ShortCuts products yourself.

Oh, and look what I got in the mail today....



Another addiction.....Martha Stewart border punches. I {heart} them!

**ETA** I received many e-mails and questions about the Martha Stewart punches. I purchased mine on eBay in the USA.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Kazan's Sketch 18 - 2 Sketches 4 You

The girls are off from school today. Fleur and I did some scrapping while Sanne was playing on the computer. Last week I missed the weekly sketch over at 2 Sketches 4 You, so this week I wanted to play along again. Did you see the DT´s work? They all did an awesome job. My card is based on Kazan's Sketch 18. I am not too happy about my card. I have too many 'to do' things on my mind which blocks my creativity a little. I do like the left part of this card, but I am not happy about the cupcake that I added to it. If I have time I will make another take on this sketch. For now I'll leave you with this one.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Pink Paislee Sweet Cakes Stamps: Melissa Frances Tools: Fiskars Embossing Border Punch, Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Ovals, EK Success Corner Punch Large Buttons: Rusty Pickle Other: ribbon, cord, foam cupcake, Shrinky Dinky Ink: Stazon Black Pen: Uniball Signo White

Thanks for stopping by my blog, and your sweet comments.

HB2U

Today our brother-in-law David is celebrating his birthday. As you may know he, Lisette and their children live abroad, so no birthday visits for us. Of course I made him a card. Happy Birthday, David. Have a wonderful day!



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Cardstock Patterned paper: Scenic Route Letter stickers: American Crafts Tools: Sizzix BigShot, Sizzix Stars die, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder Button: Rusty Pickle Ink: VersaColor Pinecone Other: chipboard, twine

Have a wonderful day!

Some Late Christmas Cards

I have been busy making cards this week, but unfortunately I can't show you anything yet. Most of the cards I made will be submitted for the next issue of the Dutch magazine Cards Only. Cards Only #5 is now in store, so I can show you my Christmas cards that were pubbed in issue #4. I know that Christmas is way behind us, but I couldn't show you these cards earlier.





I have been clearing out my scrap room, and boy.....do I have a LOT of stuff. You can lock me up for a year (or longer) and I won't be able to use it all. I will sell some of my stuff on the internet, because I simply can't keep it all.

Enjoy your weekend! I'll be back on Monday with a birthday card.

For You

Last night I made some cards with the Making Memories Greenhouse Paperie papers that I recently bought. Usually I am not into green, but I really like this Paperie line as well as the blue, pink and brown collection of this serie. This card is based on card*a*licious~9 challenge over at the card*a*licious blog. It is the first time I play along, but I'll definitely plan to play more often. The base of this card is a ShortCuts frosted card blank. I really love working with these cards.





Supplies: SheetLoad ShortCuts Frosted Card Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, ribbon: Making Memories Greenhouse Paperie Tools: Sizzix BigShot, Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Ovals Small, Marvy Uchida Scalloped Oval punch Letter stickers: Prima Marketing Whispered Words Flock Alphabets Ink: VersaColor Pinecone #171

Don't forget about my blog candy. You can win a ShortCuts Ultimate Sampler to try the cards yourself. O, and my sweet friend Hanneke is featured on the ShortCuts blog today. Her gorgeous DT card for this week's sketch over at 2 Sketches 4 You was picked up by Alicia from ShortCuts.

Petra, owner of Dolls & Decorations (the store I design for) announced today that her scrapbook store will be closed as of March 1st. I know this wasn't an easy decision for her, but sometimes you have to do what is best for you and that is what she did by taking this tough decision.

Winter Wonderland, and a TOOT

We have been having a REAL winter this year. A little snow last week and very low temperatures. The Netherlands is known for ice skating and that is what lots of people do nowadays. Since I was away last weekend I didn't think of buying skates, and now we are too late. All skates in our area are sold out, but I did find a webstore that still have skates for the girls. I will order a pair of skates for both of them. It will be getting a bit warmer later this week, so it might be too late when the skates arrive in the mail. This afternoon we spent some time on the ice not too far from our home. We took the sleigh and the girls had a blast.



I have a little toot to share. The ShortCuts clear card in my previous post is out for publication, and will be featured in the February issue of the Making Memories for You Ezine.

Kazan's Sketch 17 & ShortCuts Special Offer

I got back from my 4-day trip to Saint Sorlin d'Arves, France late Monday night. I had a wonderful time with my co-workers. I must honestly say that I wasn't too enthusiastic about this trip at first as I never went skiing before, but.....I had a great time and even went skiing on Saturday and Sunday. My colleague Marian and I were the only ones who couldn't ski. Our colleague Merlijn - who was a ski instructor - taught us some techniques on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. On Sunday afternoon we had a private lesson from Marco, a French instructor. I really enjoyed skiing and being outside all day. The weather was beautiful. A bit chilly, but sunny. Unfortunately I hardly took any pictures. One of my colleagues took some pictures of me skiing, but I haven't received them yet.

I was suprised to find out that Fleur and Sanne posted their cards on my blog. On behalf of Fleur and Sanne I would like to thank you for leaving such sweet comments. They were so happy and excited to read all your lovely comments. I am so proud of my sweeties.

I think it has been more than a week ago since I did some scrapping. This afternoon I finally had some time again to create a card. I made another card for ShortCuts and used Kazan's Sketch 17 over at 2 Sketches 4 You. I still enjoy the 2S4Y sketches. They always inspire me.



Supplies: SheetLoad ShortCuts Clear Card Patterned paper: Scenic Route Loveland Ribbon: Bazzill Tools: EK Success Circle Punch, Martha Stewart Doily Lace Punch, Sizzix Primitive Hearts die Rub-ons: Sweetwater Other: Ranger Liquid Pearls, chipboard

Have you been wanting to order from ShortCuts? If so, January is the month to do it. For every $5 you spend on ShortCuts products this month* you will get one (1) raffle ticket/entry into our prize drawing! Up for grabs this month are some great JustRite products...


DIY Monogram Stamper Kit w/3 Damask Border and Large Times New Roman Font

From the Desk of/Library of/Kitchen of Borders

A retail value of $21.90!! Head on over to the Online Shopping Mall on our ShortCuts site and place your order to be entered.

* The fine print:

Final total; after any discounts are given, will determine how many entries each order will receive. (ie: spend $6.50 after discounts and get 1 entry, spend $11.25 after discounts and get 2 entries, etc.)

Only ShortCuts products will apply to final total. No "limited time offer" products (ie: Studio G stamps)

All orders placed between January 1, 2009 12:01 AM CST and January 31, 2009 11:59 PM CST will qualify.

If you order any ShortCuts products use the coupon code on the right sidebar, and you will get a 10% discount.

2 Minutes of Fame

Now that our mommy is in France and doesn't have any cards or other projects to show you we thought we could use her blog for our 2 minutes of fame. Shhhhhh....don't tell her! We enjoy scrapping and scrap shopping as much as mommy does, and love being creative with the 3 of us. Last Wednesday I (Fleur) went scrap shopping with mommy and grandma, and mommy let me choose some patterned papers, ribbon and alphabet stickers for me and Sanne. When we got home we wanted to scrap immediately and made some cards. Mommy helped us cutting the card bases and glueing the little 'diamonds' but the designs are ours. Can you tell that we ♥♥♥ flowers, butterflies and bling-bling? Hope you like our cards.

Fleur's cards









Sanne's cards





Thanks for looking!

Fleur & Sanne

My First ShortCuts DT Project & Blog Candy

Happy New Year to you all! Hope you had a wonderful New Year's Eve. We had a nice evening. After all the December craziness in our household we spent New Year's Eve with just the four of us watching TV. The girls stayed up till 0.30am. Previous years they went to bed and we woke them up around 11.45pm so they could watch the fireworks at midnight. This year they wanted to be part of the fun, watch TV, have an oliebol and stay up till midnight.

Today is the official start of my 6-month ShortCuts DT term and I would like to kick-off with my first project......a Gift Card Holder Folder (GCHF). The GCHFs are pre-scored and die cut for easy assembly. The GCHFs are great for giving someone a gift card or money, and so much fun to work with.





Supplies: SheetLoad ShortCuts Gift Card Holder Folder Kraft Patterned paper, button: My Mind's Eye Quite Smitten & Irresistible Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Flower: Prima Marketing Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, Sizzix Primitive Hearts die, Sizzix Circles die Ink: VersaColor Pinecone #171 Other: chipboard, twine, Heidi Swapp crystals

So...how about trying out the ShortCuts products yourself? I'll be giving away a ShortCuts Ultimate Sampler this month. The package will include the following:

4 Gift Card Holder Folders
1 Frosted Card
1 Clear Card
1 Frosted Full Sheet
1 Clear Full Sheet

In order to have your name put into the draw to win the ShortCuts Ultimate Sampler you will need to create a project based on January's theme LOVE. Come back here and link me up directly to your project! The deadline is January 31st, 2009. I will randomly pick a winner on February 1st.

Off to pack my suitcase. I'll be leaving for France tomorrow at 9.15am.