Snap Happy..

Hi everyone! It's Saturday and that means it's time for another sketch over on the Bella Blvd. blog. For July we were given this sketch to work with from Becky Fleck.

This is what I created using the sketch....
Snap Happy Layout

This was a fun sketch to work with, I stuck pretty close to the original which brought my layout together fast. I only made a few small alterations along the way. I really wanted to showcase this self portrait of my daughter but I only had 1 photo so I placed a polaroid die-cut where the second photo should be. I also changed the direction of the spray pattern and added some confetti for a fun look. I kept the strips of pattern papers in the center of the layout (just like the sketch), but added a hexagon to the background. I love that the Freestyle Sophisticates are so versatile, they are perfect for any occasion!

supplies:
Sand and Surf: Alpha + Bits, Miniatures
Engaged At Last: Bachelorette Party, Bachelor Extras, Alpha + Bits Bachelor/ette
All American: United We Stand
Freestyle Sophisticates: McIntosh, Banana, Gulf, Saltwater, Scallop, Pickle Juice
Designer Tape: Gray Chevron
Crochet Hearts: Gulf, Bell Pepper
Ciao Chip Versatile Elements: Stars and Hearts

This place makes me so happy...

Hi there!  I have a fun paper straw tutorial up on the Bella Blvd. blog today, and I would like to share it with you.


This Place Makes Me So Happy

I have been in love with all of the colorful paper straws that I have been finding in stores
lately for summer, and even more in love with the new trend of using them on layouts! 
I purchased some plain white paper straws online and decided that it would be fun to
make my own pattern paper straws using Bella's papers and washi tapes.  I love the look!

Step 1:  To create my own custom straws first I gathered up an assortment of pattern
papers and designer tapes.

Step 2: I used a paper trimmer to trim thin strips of pattern papers and designer tapes
(measuring about 1/4 of an inch x 12).
tip: I found that when trimming strips of designer tape it is easier to adhere it to a strip of
cardstock or paper scrap first before trimming it with a trimmer.

Here is what the strips look like after they have been cut. 

Step 3: Apply adhesive to the backside of the paper strip.

 
Step 4: Working at the top of a paper straw start wrapping the paper strip around in a
diagonal twirled fashion. 

 Step 5: When you get to the end of the paper straw cut off the excess paper and glue the
ends down.  I found that a strong liquid glue works well for this.

Here is a shot of all the paper straws after I wrapped them all.

 
Step 6: Last, I arranged them on my layout and glued them down using a strong liquid glue.
After they dried, I cut off the excess pieces, and added my photo and embellishments.

 
This was super fun and so easy to do!  Hope you enjoy!


Bella Blvd. supplies: 
Sand and Surf: Paradise, Surf's Up, Flying High, Beach Balls, Borders, Cute Cuts
Cardstock Stickers: Alpha + Bits, Just Write Journaling Stickers
Chipboard: Sand & Surf Chipboard Icons 
Designer Tapes: Pony Stripe, 12 mm Combo, Polka Dot Combo, Ice Stripe, Pickle Juice
Chevron, Hot Pink Dot, Punch Chevron

So Many Of My Smiles Begin With You....

 Hi Everyone, 

Thanks for stopping by today.  I haven't been on top of blogging lately.  We have had lots going on.  We just got back from camping and my daughter graduates from junior high tomorrow.  Can't believe I am going to be the mother of a high schooler soon.  Ack!! Where does the time go?

 I have a new layout up on the Bella Blvd. Blog today, and I would love to share it with you.  So, here we go....


So Many Of My Smiles Begin With You 

This picture always make me smile.  My good friend always brings her daughter with her when she comes to visit.  Even though she is a few years younger than my daughter, they always enjoy each others' company.  I kept the embellishments simple on this layout so that the main focus could be on the photo.  To make the washi flower I pleated gray chevron washi tape around a die cut circle and topped it off with a wood button.  I love the look.

supplies:

Sand and Surf: Flying High
Engaged At Last: Bachelorette Extras

Cardstock stickers: Just Write Journaling stickers, Alpha + Bits

Feathers: Orange, Gulf

Designer Tape: Gray Chevron

Button: Button Market Feminine Mix

Thanks for stopping by!

Silhoutte Designer edition software tutorial and promotion

Hi everyone,
I hope that you are having a great day so far. I wanted to let you know about this fabulous promotion that is going on
currently on the Bella Blvd. blog.... and wait for it..... they are doing a giveaway too!

Silhouette March Promotion
From now until March 8th Silhouette will be offering a discounted price on the Silhouette Portrait when you use the above link to purchase and enter the code "Bella"


As part of this wonderful promotion, I was one of the design team members selected to try out the designer edition software and
create a project with it.

Fashionista layout:


I wanted to create a layout that was as fun and fresh as my daughter's fashion sense. I started my layout by creating a
triangular file in Silhouette and using the designer edition software to modify it. After I cut my Freestyle Sophisticates paper
(Peep) I placed alternating strips of designer tape under my paper and then stitched on top. I added in pieces from the Engaged
At Last collection and finished off my layout with some fabulous Bella feathers.



First I created a triangular shaped background using the polygon tool. I used the copy and paste feature to repeat the pattern.
After I was done creating my triangle background I used the group feature to group my background together.



Next, I selected the Shear tool that comes with the designer edition software. I then selected the
Horizontal shear 30 degree angle from the box on the right side. This gave my triangles an elongated
look.

After getting the desired angle that I wanted I sent cut my file and then used it as a background for my layout.

supplies:
Engaged At Last Collection: Bachelor Extras
Cardstock Stickers: Alpha + Bits Bachelore/Ette
Sand & Surf Collection: Borders
Sophisticates: Freestyle Peep, Freestyle Scallop
Feathers: Bell Pepper, Oreo - Black
Designer Tape: Gray Chevron, Ice Stripe, Gray Dot, Combo


Dream Big by Gina Lideros


I had this self portrait of my daughter that she took using her camera phone. I just loved the way the sun rays reflected
on her in the background. I used that as my inspiration to create my title. I used the designer edition software for Silhouette
to modify a title "dream big" that I had purchased in the Silhouette online store.



Bella Blvd's Sand & Surf collection was perfect for the theme of my layout. I kept the background of my layout simple so
that the focus could be on the title work and the photo. I finished off my layout by adding in a fun mix of Bella feathers,
buttons and designer tape.


To get started, I opened up a file that I had purchased in the Silhouette online store (Dream big by KI Memories). I sized
my title to the dimensions that I wanted and then selected the advanced knife tool that comes with the designer edition software.


When selected the knife tool will open up a window on the right side. The advanced knife tool comes with 11 different
blades. This is a great feature of the designer edition. I selected the straight edge knife and positioned my blade in
the bottom right hand corner of my title. I then sliced into my title in an upwards angle.



After I cut the first angle I continued making more cuts in an upward angle until it appeared to look like a sunburst.



After I achieved the desired sunburst effect, I cut out my title out of different pieces of pattern paper from Bella's Sand & Surf collection. And then pieced them together on my layout.

supplies:
Sand & Surf Collection: Flying High, Paradise, Surf's Up, Borders, Under The Coconuts, Cute Cuts
Cardstock Stickers: Miniatures
Flags: Sand & Surf
Sophisticates: Freestyle Pickle Juice
Feathers: Pickle Juice, Pony
Designer Tape: Yellow Chevron, Ice Stripe
Button Market: Checkers, Bursts

Awesome stuff right? Wanna win a Silhouette Portrait? Then head on over to the Bella Blvd. Blog and leave a comment to be entered to win.

Good Luck!

CHA Winter - Bella Blvd. Sneak Peek *Sand and Surf collection

It's week two of Bella blvd. CHA reveals. Today Bella is showcasing their brand new line Sand and Surf. This collection is so full of so many amazing pieces, and is perfect for those summer pool/beach photos.

I am in love with this super cool GPS paper:

really loving this Surfs up paper B side too!

like what you see? Head on over to the Bella blvd. blog
for your chance to win the full Sand & Surf collection.