Gift projects

I love to alter! Especially items that are just lying around in my messy craft area. Waste not!
Since Halloween is just around the corner I would like to share with you an altered trick or treat goodie bucket that your kids will surely love especially of what you put inside :)
Here's a sample of an altered Prima bucket covered with Halloween themed patterned papers.
I embellished with ribbons, added a gift tag and added a Fraidy Cat frame and some pieces from Halloween lace die-cut, all available at Scrappy Shack Etsy Shop.

Then you're ready to fill the bucket with sweet treats!

Well Christmas is not so far as well. So here's a simple gift set that you can create to give out to your dear family and friends this coming Holiday season.

The gift set is composed of a mini notebook, post-it holder and desk mirror, perfect gift for your girlfriends! Though you can also swap the mirror with a mini calendar or mini photoframe and can be gifted to your boyfriends too.

In this project I used pulp square coasters as my base that I covered with coordinated patterned papers.

There are several ways to put the coaters together, you can use a binding machine like Zutter, or hole punch the coasters and tie together with ribbons or just create a flap of paper to hold them together.

I just cut pieces of scrap papers to fill-up my notebook pages. For the desk mirror you can buy the self-adhesive mirror at your local scrapstore.

To personalized your gift set you may want to add a monogram on the covers to match them together.

Embellish the covers as desired!

Wrap them and tie neatly with a ribbon, and of course don't forget to add in your matching gift tag.

Coordinating scrap kits are available at Scrappy Shack etsy shop... so go ahead and get crafty!

Happy gift giving!

- Marix

Altering, Embellishing, and Dissecting Your Cuts

As a member of The Scrappy Shack's design team, I've enjoyed playing with the different cuts and lace papers. I believe in "using what you've got," but sometimes, I may not have the cut I want to use in the exact color or size that I want. That's when I get busy altering, embellishing, and dissecting my cut! Here are a few examples of what I mean:


On this first layout, I used the Circles lace paper in red. What - you don't see red? That's because I inked it with brown distress ink and then sprayed it with gold Glimmer Mist. I also added the gold Glimmer Mist to the black Large Flourish Frame. Altering these cuts helped them match my layout. I also embellished the frame with some rhinestone bling to make it sparkle even more. Here's a closeup of the cuts:


These next projects show how I dissected a cut - the Flower Lace Paper. I got three projects out of just one sheet of this paper, with some left over to spare. Here are two of the projects: a card and a wall hanging that is displayed in my new craft room.


I simply cut around the flowers to give them a finished "edge."

Finally, this Halloween layout shows how I embellished a cut to give it my own personality. The background is the Halloween Lace Paper, to which I added some spooky googly eyes. I used one of the Halloween Die Cut Frames to frame my photo, which creates its own embellisment in the lower corner.


I hope this tips give you more ideas on how to use your cuts, and inspire to try out some of The Scrappy Shack's newest cuts!

Happy crafting!

~Erica

Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to.....

Ilene!

Thank you all for entering the giveaway. Ilene, please contact me to discuss your prize.

Happy September!

And happy birthday to me!
Since September is my birthday month, I have decided to celebrate in my shop all month long! But more on that later....

The Design Team has been hard at work and they have created some beautiful layouts:

Erica created this great page using the brand new summer die cuts, available in the Etsy shop now.

Shannon doodled the Polka Dot Frame up and made it look great!
This cut has always been one of my very favorites and seeing it on this layout made me love it even more. I am going to cut one for myself and use this technique.

Marix used this Sentiment Circle to hang embellishments and I have to say it makes me think of a mobile, like you use in a baby's crib. When I designed these cuts I always imaged them around photos and when I see them used in a way that doesn't frame a photo, I am always impressed.

Deciding to bring on a Design Team was a big decision for me, but I am so glad I did it. The creativity and imagination they bring to the die cuts really brings them alive. I am very thankful to the girls who work so hard on my team. Girls, you ROCK!

So let's talk promotion and giveaway.

For the entire month of September, in honor of my birthday, purchase a Happy Birthday Lace

and get a free Alphabet Circle Frame in the color of your choice!


Just mention "birthday promotion" in the checkout remarks.

Giveaway

I want my birthday giveaway to be the biggest I have ever had!

So, the winner will be allowed to chose 20 die cuts from my Etsy shop.

Twenty die cuts, any die cuts I sell, in any color the winner chooses.

There are three ways to enter:

1. Visit my Etsy shop, pick your favorite die cut, and come back here and tell me which one you like.

2. Announce the promotion on your blog, and then comment here with a link.

3. Visit any DT member's blog and comment on the giveaway.

I will choose a winner on September 30, by random draw.

Good luck and happy September!

A Fun Sketch for You!

Hello Scrappy Shack followers and admirers. I hope everyone is having a great end to their summer or a great start to their school year. Yes, school year! Amazing huh? I can't believe school is starting either. If you are like me then school has been in session for almost two weeks now. Honestly I have been so busy I haven't been able to get any scrapping done. Things have settled down now though and I plan to get lots done this weekend. To inspire me and you to get out our scrappy stuff this weekend I created this sketch. I hope you like it and it inspires you to create something this weekend! - Sarah

Paper Crafts Magazine

Thanks to a fabulous blogger, Kimberly Crawford, two of my die cuts appear in the current issue of Paper Crafts!

Kimberly used the ABC Circle Frame to make this "for you Teacher" card. She did a great job!

She also used the Circles Lace on this "thanks" card.

This is the first time The Scrappy Shack's products appear in a national publication and I am very excited!

Kimberly is awesome - go check out her blog and see the cool projects she has for you to scraplift.

Aloha!

Just returned from two glorious weeks in Hawaii.
We got the opportunity to visit family and see the sights. Honolulu is my husband's hometown. Did I hit the jackpot or what? :)

Lacie enjoyed the beach and meeting family members for the first time.
We played tourist and did all the fun things Oahu had to offer.

We also visited some places Jay remembers from his childhood that are off the beaten path. And of course we went to a luau. Here Lacie is twirling poi balls like a pro.

This is the view from our balcony, or lanai as they say in Hawaii. We were literally steps away from a really great beach.

Of course going to the beach is the best part.

And the scenery is amazing.

And there are always cool things to look at!

If you would like to see more pictures from our trip, you can click over to my Flickr and take a look! http://www.flickr.com/photos/thescrappyshack/

Twinkle Out!

My little girl loves the Sesame Street character Abby Cadabby.
We took her to have her picture taken with her Abby doll and she wore her Abby cheerleading costume.

This layout features the Polka Dot Frame die cut from my Etsy shop.

Design Team Creation

The DT members have been hard at work and they are creating things that are awesome!

Sarah used the Alphabet Circle Frame in pink. Here is a pic of the die cut.....

And here is what she did with it!

I love how she used the heart to emphasize the first letter of her adorable daughter's name.

Great page, Sarah!

Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to.....

Sunny of the Beehive!

Thank you to all who entered. Sunny, please email me your mailing address so I can mail you your die cuts!

Announcing........

A great big thanks to all of you wonderful ladies who applied to
The Scrappy Shack's first Design Team Call!

I wish I could have picked every one of you. There was truly so much talent among you all it was so very hard to choose. I hope you will all consider applying for my DT in the future.

Instead of choosing 3, I picked 10 new team members.

Congratulations, ladies! Welcome aboard.

Raechelle Bellus - Washington, USA
Sara Eclavea - Illinois, USA
Sherry Gick - Indiana, USA
Krista Hanna - Kansas USA
Erica Hofstetter, Texas, USA
Marix Marte - Singapore
Shannon Morgan - Tennessee, USA
Zoe Nembert - Nova Scotia, Canada
Molly Peckham - Pennsylvania, USA
Liz Weber - Queensland, Australia

I apologize for being so late with this announcement.

Again, thank you to the wonderful applicants. It was truly so hard to choose and I loved all of your work.

Have a great week!

Giveaway - Win these die cuts!

There are some big changes coming for The Scrappy Shack

and to celebrate I'm having a giveaway!

To enter, go to The Scrappy Shack Etsy shop and browse around. Then come back here and tell me which die cut is your favorite in the comment section.

To earn an extra entry, mention the giveaway on your blog!
Then come back here and leave an extra comment.

Good luck!

Design Team Call

It is time for a Scrappy Shack DT Call!

I am looking for 3 crafters to showcase The Scrappy Shack die cuts in scrapbooking layouts and other projects for a 6 month term. As a member of the design team you would be asked to create 3 - 6 layouts per month using our die cuts and contribute to the blog one time per month. Designers selected will be compensated with 3 - 6 die cuts each month, plus 25% off on orders in our shop for the duration of your term.

If you wish to apply, I would like to see three layouts and one altered project using any products you wish.

I would love to know a little bit about you. Why do you want to be on the design team? How did you come to love crafting? What do you do for fun? Anything you want me to know about you.

Personal blogs and galleries are not required, but if you do have them I would love to see them! With your application send a link to any blogs or galleries you contribute to.

Also, please let me know any publications or other DT commitments you may have.

International scrappers are welcomed and encouraged to apply.

Closing date for the call is June 2, 2009. Please email me at lori@thescrappyshack.com to be considered.

I cannot wait to see the submissions! Good luck!

Fun Use of the Blah Blah Blah Cut

Okay, it is no secret to those who have read this blog that I am in love with New York City and anything that relates to it. Well, I got an order from a really fun gal in Brooklyn and I was so excited to know that some of my designs were travelling to my very favorite place!

My new friend Meryl was so kind to share with me a picture of what she did with one of the die cuts.

I love it! Very creative use. Thanks for sharing, Meryl!

If you have purchased a die cut from me, I would love to see what you did with it. Send me an email, and I will blog your picture.


I snagged a Boopsie doll this week.


She made some limited edition St. Patrick's Day dollies, and I got one!
Her name is Harlequin. Isn't she adorable?

Happy St. Paddy's Day everyone!

Happy Tuesday!

New designs in my Etsy shop.

Large Swirly Frame

I have been having fun designing these girly pieces.

Flourish Frame, another girly creation.

My circles border was in a kit club in January. Here is what one of the DT members, Sara, did with it. Those guys are gonna kill her when they grow up!

I love it! The kit club this came from is 3 Scrappy Boys, and I love all the kits the owner, Heather, puts together. She really has a knack for it. If you are looking for a club to join, I highly recommend this one.

Inspired by fellow blogger and scrapper, Kelly Goree (who has a cool last name!) here are 10 random things about me. I will try not to list the obvious ones. ;) The list is supposed to be 25 things, but it is hard to find that many random things to post!

1. I used to bite my fingernails for years. I finally kicked the habit and have been growing my nails for the past three years.

2. Growing up, my family moved to different school districts 5 times.

3. I was a cheerleader in high school.

4. Due to the structure of my throat, I have sleep apnea. I didn't know this for years, and went to many doctors trying to find out why I was tired all the time. Since being diagnosed and getting my cpap machine, I feel like a new person. I hardly ever have that tired feeling that I used to live with.

5. Right now, I have 5 different spots of color painted on my living room walls. I have been searching for the right color to paint and I have not liked any I have chosen so far. So the spots sit there while I am deciding which color to try next.

6. I love the way the air feels and smells right before a storm. I love storms.

7. I have been to Mardi Gras 11 times.

8. I washed my sheets today.

9. The first time I visited Hawaii, Jay and I went on a helicopter tour. I cried the entire time. I am terrified of heights.

10. As an adult, I have cut 7 or more inches off my hair 6 times. I love making drastic changes to my hair.

If you are reading, I challenge you to post your own random list, and link your blog in the comments so I can see your list.

Have fun!

Where are all these shoppers coming from?

Wow - I had a huge amount of traffic on my Etsy shop yesterday and today. Turns out one of my items is featured in the Gift Guides!

The last item all the way to the right is my Alphabet Circle Frame, my most popular item by far.

And another of my die cuts was on the front page of Etsy today.
The second row, see that Numbers Lace?
That's mine.

Well, that explains it!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Have a great day, and treat your sweetie right!

Hope you are showered with love today.

New Designs in my Etsy Shop

I had so much fun creating the flourish frames I decided to do another swirly design.
Here is what I came up with!

I enjoyed designing this cut too. In fact, I am kinda on a roll designing. I have a lot of new ideas swimming around in my mind that I am currently working on.

Anyway, this cut is really beautiful in person, very delicate and fragile. I liked it so much I did a layout with it the day I created it. That was a first!

I did this page detailing a picture from the first time we took my daughter on an outing.

Those fabulous journaling spots are from Elles Studio.

I added rhinestones to the flourish, and I think that was just what it needed to give it that extra pop! Here is a close up that really shows the detail.

In my designing frenzy, I created these cute little deer note cards. I always have blank note cards on hand in case I want to send someone a love note. So I dreamed up these, and I am selling them in my Etsy shop. If you would like them in another color, send me an email lori@thescrappyshack.com and I will be glad to create just what you want!

Also new in my shop....

Sentiment Circles for Baby Boy!

They can be used as frames or journaling spots, and they are adorable!
I also have pink ones for a baby girl.

As always, if you purchase something from my

Etsy shop

and mention my blog in checkout, I will send you a free alphabet circle frame with your order.