USE YOUR STASH - Digital Elements, Fabric & Sassafras

This page again uses some lovely Studio Calico kit goodness, but I added in some fabulous older Sassafras Lass papers and alpha stickers and some fun digital frame elements from Emily Powers to my photos.  Don't you love that grungy Polaroid look?  I had so many photos on this layout that I felt the full frame on each photo was a bit much so I trimmed the bottom of three of the photos and just kept the last, focal photo intact. 

Thirdly, the fabric.  See those great blue clouds?  They are created with a type of corduroy fabric by an Australian company called Buzz & Bloom.  They make FABULOUS fabric and chipboard pieces but they are hard to find in the states.  So...I thought, why not make your own fabric clouds?  You would only need fabric scraps and scissors so...use this as an idea to try on your future projects and make sure you share them with me. 

Title:  Catch 'n Air

USE YOUR STASH - Scalloped Border, Stamps and Embossing Powder

This was made with some new Studio Calico goodness but I threw in some old classics that I hadn't used in awhile.

First, I've been trying to use my stamps a lot more.  I have many gorgeous ones that barely get used.  So, on this layout I used two different stamps.  The starburst on the lower right (Studio Calico) and the fancy frame that holds the title (Basic Grey).  The frame I embossed with my hot pink embossing powder that I'd bought from Stampin Up AGES ago.  I don't know why I thought a huge thing of bright pink, green, red and orange embossing powders would be a great deal, but I did and I've got TONS of it left so any use is a victory in my eyes!! 

Finally, I had this scrap of the brown Bazzill border that I wanted to use up and it worked perfectly with the colors on this page.  I used it to anchor the title and in the bottom right corner as an extra embellishment piece.

Title:  DC @ Night

USE YOUR STASH - Tags and Lace Cardstock

I used three very different tags on this layout, but combining the cream with the colors of the layout makes it work.  I also found a sheet of red apple lace cardstock (KI Memories).  I have several sheets that mostly go unused so I thought this would be a perfect time to get it out.  Besides cutting it to use as a border here, it also makes an awesome mask for misting or painting.  But school = apples so I kept this one simple.  Lots and lots of scraps here...yay!

I have the original cash register receipt from this school supply shopping trip but I have yet to type it up or scan it.  I hope to do that and add it to this layout, probably on the back.

Title:  First Day of School

USE YOUR STASH - Thickers and Border Stickers

CONFESSION:  Nearly all of the supplies on this layout are new, however, the concept for using them remains the same.  Read on to learn more.

The title on this layout is a focal point.  I used up many Thickers, all in the same color and type.  I adhered them on a piece of scratch paper to give the journaling and title a place to be anchored and provide a little less distraction than the background map paper.  Besides edging this paper with blue ink, I also added a blue border sticker inbetween the title and date elements to give a sense of separation.  It really adds to the continuity of the colors in the layout.

Title:  Baltimore, Maryland

USE YOUR STASH - Rub Ons and Advertisements

The top of this page was created from an old advertisement for some scrapbook supplies.  I loved the color and pattern so I kept it to use someday.  Even though the ad was for a Christmas collection the colors fit perfectly here!  I added several rub ons from Tinkering Ink throughout this page.  I also used up several old Lil Davis(?) chipboard circle alphas and glitter Thickers.  In fact, the only thing new on this layout are the paper flowers from American Crafts.
I encourage you to use advertisements in your scrapbook pages.  Not only does it conserve money but it often serves as an excellent way to inspire my creativity.

Title:  Pinata Time

USE YOUR STASH - Sequins and hole punches

I had a bunch of red sequins sitting in my stash waiting to be used.  I thought the color would work well with this so I sprinkled them around and then topped each with a small yellow hole punch from the excess cardstock. 

A fun technique I used on this layout - I stamped the words down the left side using Studio Calico's Storytime Alphabet stamp and then scribbled them in with a white gel pen.  Love the effect. 

Title:  Easter Morn Gifts

USE YOUR STASH - Buttons

Need I explain this one?  We got a package of buttons in our Studio Calico kit last month and I found great ways to use them.  Sorry the scan of this is not great and colors not as vibrant, but it was very lumpy with all the buttons.  :o)

Title:  Show Off

USE YOUR STASH - Patterned Paper

This page uses nothing but patterned paper scraps!  In fact, five different pieces.  I used one as a background for the layout, one to mat the photos, one to stamp and hand cut the title word "hair," one to create the punch strip at the bottom and the last to cut the flowers that I used as accents on this layout.

Title:  Colorful Hair

USE YOUR STASH - Punches and Inks

This was such a fun layout to create because I just played around and did a ton of distressing as I went along.  I used a couple of my favorite punches on this layout.  I used my Crop a Dile to create two sizes of circle punches directly on my photo and used the extra cardstrock to punch flowers.  I also used Ranger Alcohol Inks to distress the faux metal (silver foil) hinge at the bottom of my photo and a lot of anger Distress Ink to distress all of the edges in this layout and on the photo directly.  

Title:  Enjoy This Moment

USE YOUR STASH - Chipboard, Rub Ons, Stickers

This week's layout was inspired by a sketch challenge over at Studio Calico.  Happily, the only new product I used on this was the chipboard pennant pieces from Maya Road.  All else was from my stash.

I used two stickers for the border.  One is a striped pattern (Scenic Route) and one is a glittery zig zag stitch (Cloud 9 Designs).  I also used the "I Love You" sticker cut from another Scenic Route border sticker.

The flower rub ons were a great addition to this page, just giving that corner a little accent.  I love subtle accents.

And chipboard...besides the pennants, I used the negative chipboard pieces from some old Scenic Route alphas.  It's so nice to use up this old, old stuff!

Patterned paper is from Cherry Arte and gems from My Minds Eye.  Twine from my stash, Stampin Up I think.  Ink was from Color Box.

Title:  Word

Journaling reads:   Your sudden expression of "coolness" just totally cracks me up!  This was at Panera Bread in 2007.

USE YOUR STASH - Circle Punch, Tape, Shaped Brads

I have been giving my circle punch a workout lately! This layout uses a piece of patterned paper that I had punched circles from for another project.  Love being able to use all of this without wasting a bit.

Also really old vinyl alphas and metal brads (the arrow parts) from Around the Block.  I've had these in my stash for a few years.

And check out my use of the tape (which is new from my Studio Calico kit).  I punched half circles to create a scalloped border at the bottom and use two pieces to cut a freehand heart.  One of them is in the "O" of Chocolate and the other between the arrow brads. 

Title:  Chocolate Cake

USE YOUR STASH - Making Memories Alpha Rub Ons, Sticker Negatives

This page again uses a bunch of new Studio Calico goodness, but I also threw in some older things from my stash.  That really is the best way to use your stash.

I have so many of those Making Memories rub on alpha books.  Many of them have no e's, s's, t's, etc., and I really should toss them, but they sit waiting to be used.  I got creative with the "T" in lost by using a "J" and cutting off the curly tail to create a "T."  A technique I've employed often to try to use these up.

I also used the outline of an old bracket journaling sticker to create a home for this layout's journaling. 

Title:  Lost Tooth

USE YOUR STASH - Die Cut Butterflies, Phrase Stickers and Gems

Sorry these pics aren't the greatest.

I *LOVE* these die cut butterflies from K&Company.  There were about 25 on a 12" x 12" sheet in many colors.  I am going to be so sad when they are all gone.  But stash is stash and I've got plenty of that so use them I shall!

I also used some phrase stickers, gems and outlined some chipboard pieces for my outlined images on the cardstock.

Title:  Wii Tennis

USE YOUR STASH - Rub Ons and Photo Border Strips

A lot of this layout is new Studio Calico goodness but I threw in a ton of old rub ons.  Check out the way I used them in this photo border strip.  I also reused a piece of patterned paper that I had punched a circle from for another page.  

Title: I Love This Face

USE YOUR STASH - Stitches, Tags, Scalloped Border, Ribbon

I love the way this layout came together.  Much of this layout contains new product but I mixed in some older stuff too.

The Bazzill scalloped border along the top, the stitches sticker on top of that (Cloud 9 Design), the rub on stick underneath my title (Hambly), the ribbon, and the tag were all in my stash.

New:  Patterned Papers (Studio Calico), Flowers (American Crafts), Die Cuts (October Afternoon)

Title:  Always Bee Happy

The tag color is much more vibrant but the crochet flower was quite lumpy and gave shadows to my scanned image.

USE YOUR STASH - Patterned Paper, Puffy Thickers, Rub Ons, Circle Tags

This layout has a mixture of old and new.  My challenge here was to use some of the puffy Thickers that I have.  Frankly, I find the color of these quite obnoxious and have been fighting throwing them out altogether.  I found that by adding them on to like-colored patterned paper it really toned down the vibrancy and bold statement that these Thickers make.

Also old, patterned paper scraps, green and brown from my stash, rub ons to create the title and flower accent near title and some circle tags (there's actually three there layered on top of each other).

Title:  He Makes My Heart Sing

USE YOUR STASH - Doodling Templates, Patterned Paper Scraps, Buttons, Thickers

I'm taking a much harder look at my supplies lately and have changed my approach to using my stash.

First of all, I have randomly grabbed things from my bins and determined to use them up completely or throw them away if I can't.

Secondly, I am placing all of my tiny bits that for whatever reason don't get used on one project into a small container on my desk and each time I scrap that is where I look first for embellishments.  Whatever doesn't get used by the end of the month either gets put into a future kit or thrown away.

And thirdly, any products that I do not use from my Studio Calico kits each month get set aside to be put into a kit and sold in my shop.  (That's great news for my kit buyers because you'll be seeing lots more new releases!)

This week's stash challenge is a product of my first two statements.  The buttons were pulled randomly from my stash.  The patterned paper was taken from my scrap bin.  The Hambly overlay, phrase stickers and doodling template were just laying on my desk.  The orange vinyl Thickers I've never cared for but didn't have the heart to throw them away got used here, and then I did throw them out.  The cardstock was a leftover from a card I'd made recently.  The vellum star was in that little container on my desk.  When all was said and done the only things I pulled out specifically for this layout were the cardstock, pink Thickers and the BasicGrey letter stickers.  Pretty awesome I'd say and even better?  I actually like the way this layout turned out!

Title:  Enjoy Each Moment

By the way, this is my niece, Kayla, singing at Smiles this past August.

USE YOUR STASH - Border Strips. Rub Ons and Patterned Papers

This layout once again combines many old items - patterned papers from Daisy D's and Prima, old rub ons from Tinkering Ink and a border strip from Crate Paper, all of which are at least a couple years old I believe. The "lamb" is Pink Paislee letter stickers, last year's release, and the cardstock is Bazzill.

See those circles? I used the Heidi Swapp mega circle mask and Ranger Distress Ink to create them. I outlined each with a black marker and then added rub ons before removing the mask. A cool effect don't you think?

Hard to believe that this picture is over 10 years old as well. *sniff, sniff*

Title: Little Lamb

I hope this inspires you to get out your old supplies and use your stash!

USE YOUR STASH - Ribbons, Patterned Paper & Chipboard Alphas

A lot of this paper came from a recent Studio Calico kit, but I had nothing but pieces of it left and I didn't want them to go to waste, so I literally "pieced" some of this together. If you look closely you might be able to see that the pink is actually cut in the middle so I could make my piece fit my layout. I knew that I'd be covering most of it with photos so the seam is ok with me.

By the way, this is the first ever layout I created without having pictures in mind for it. I just found a layout design that I liked that would use up the paper scraps that I had left and later went and found the pics for it. It was surprisingly easy!!

Title: Love Bugs & Hugs

USE YOUR STASH - Paper Scraps

This layout uses up some paper scraps from some of the past Studio Calico kits. Orchestra is the main kit I used here. As you can see I utilized several smaller strips of paper in the background, two different patterned papers and a strip of cardstock that was punched with the Fiskars Apron Lace punch. I also tucked in a small cut out swirl at top of the photo.

Title: You Are My Sunshine

The blue/cream patterned paper was actually about a 2" x 4" strip that I had left over. I used my Cricut and Storybook cartridge to create this flower image that I thought would be close enough to a snowflake design for this page. The black cardstock behind it was also from my paper scraps. Also old here are the cardstock flowers, which I believe might have been from KI Memories.
This is a picture taken in 2007. One of my favorites. :o)