Nook Tribute - Carol

I've been a member of the Nook for FIVE years....count them.....1 2 3 4 5!!!

I can't believe it's been that long.

One of my favorite things about the Nook was the fact that it took my scrapbooking to a new level.  The design team has always been stellar and as you know puts on the best challenges.  The first event that I participated in 4 years ago was "Nook University".  It was an amazing 2 week event with loads of challenges and a quite the grand prize.  I wanted it ;)

It was the first time I ever told my family "I am scrapping this weekend, leave me alone!".  (I'm not sure they realized the beast that was being unleashed at that time ;)  I was neck in neck with Jeja for quite a time but in the end fell to about 4th place.   I may not have won the grand prize but I walked away with some of my most favorite projects and a new sense of accomplishment and skill.   

I will forever be grateful to the Nook for teaching me, encouraging me and showing me how a community can really bond....even across the internet miles!

Several years in I got the nerve to apply for the design team.....wanting it with all my heart.....and making it.  I can't even tell you the heart attack I had when I saw my name on that list.  It's been an amazing 2 years designing with all of you and I'm so so grateful for the experience and for the chance Leah gave me....thank you.

Here are some of my favorite projects from that event....going back 4 years ;)

 

elective - phys. ed.

 elective - theater education

 

core class - history

 core class - english

elective - family consumer science

core - library

Thanks so much to all of you Nookers!!!

Designer Showcase

Welcome Welcome!

Carol here, and today I've got some fun stuff to share with you ;)

There is so much inspiration out there in the scrapping world to be had and so I thought it was high time I tried a few new things. 

Our August kit is filled with the gorgeous new Carta Bella Beautiful papers.  Included in the kit were some fun rosettes and flowers.  It is a beautiful shabby chic collection.  Now this is a little bit out of my usual comfort zone, I'm typically a little more eclectic and whimsy in my taste.  But I love the colors and patterns in this collection and wanted to make them conform to my style.  

A fun way to show lots of pattern is to create a pie chart.  I've seen them done quite a bit but had never tried one myself.

So for my layout I started off with a pie chart using my favorite papers.  This may look totally random, but having never made one I decided a practice set was in order.  I took a white piece of paper and practiced cutting that out first before I started with my PP.  I attached all my pieces to a white piece of paper so I could move it around while planning my layout.

I also wanted to incorporate the different flowers but still wanted to keep my layout a little more edgy, a little less frilly.  To do that I decided to channel my inner Gina and try some paint.  I love the look she creates with paint and I though it would add the perfect touch.

I had never done this before but it was super easy.  Just throw down a bit of paint and use an old credit card to spread it around.

I added a few strips of paper, set my pie chart and created a pretty little collection of dainty things around the base of my photo.

To add a little more edge to the layout I threw in some random stitching around my pie chart and then some below my floral collection.

I was really happy with how it all turned out.  Took some elements that were a little out of my comfort zone, threw in a few new techniques and created a layout that is ME but new and beautiful all at the same time!

Won't you join me in trying some new things and incorporating them into your style to make it all uniquely you????  It's fun I promise ;)

Celebrate Summer: Here Comes the Sun

Hello ladies!!!

Today I've got my summer challenge for you and a new layout.

Summer means SUN for most of us right?!  

So use it.

Take those pictures with sun flare or create a layout using a sunburst of some kind.

Fun and easy ;)

Here's a new layout I created showing both sun flare and a sun on my layout.   Using the new October Afternoon 9 to 5.

Be sure to check out my challenge on the forum for more examples and to load your work.  I've got a RAK up for grabs so be sure to play along ;)

Designer Showcase May 9th.

Hello everyone!

Katarina here with a very late edition of the the designer showcase post... I´m so sorry, I´ve been tangled up with the fun of May Movie Madness Crop.. And its so many beautiful creations to see in the Nook Gallery from the crop. Make shure you stop by and leave lots of love :)

Today I´m going to show you some beautiful work by our fantabulous designers.. using the absolutely gorgeous may kit and grab bag, feat. This & That by Echo Park... I hope you don´t miss out on this one bec its A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

Just take a look at how versatile it is....

Hilde/scoobie
(May grab bag)

Carol

Lilith

Isn´t it gorgeous?? I just love it! If you want to purchase your own kit.. just swing by the Nook online store to get your own kit.. but don´t wait to long... Its a HOT kit :)

//Katarina

May 2 Page Layout

Hi girls!!

Today I'm in charge of our 2 page layout class ;)

I decided to use the May grab bag featuring This and That Charming.

 I thought the muted colors would be a great way to showcase some really fun pictures 

that I had of Jack.

I decided to keep things pretty clean and simple but wanted something a little fun.  I decided to try a confetti theme.  My best bet for that is this punch ;)

Now, I've done confetti before but never on this large of a scale, so I decided to do some experimenting on the best way to achieve the look.

I started with 3 different adhesives:

The Tombo liquid glue is what I've used in the past and just glued my confetti on individually.  

It's not as time consuming as it might seem and the results are perfection!

My second try was with the paper mod podge.  I assumed this would work great.  I was wrong.  I painted the glue onto my paper and then sprinkled my confetti on it, waited for it to dry and everything pretty much fell off.  Thank goodness it doesn't wrinkle the paper ;)

My last option was a spray adhesive.  I had heard that this worked pretty well.  

I sprayed it over my entire paper evenly then rushed to sprinkle my confetti in the proper place.  I had to re-arrange quite a bit of them because obviously the don't just fall in a nice little line like that.  Then I let it dry over night.    The adhesive dries pretty clear but leaves a bit of a rough coating over the paper, which is not that big of a deal, but I couldn't wait to get it in a page protector ;)  

Sadly, this solution wasn't as perfect as I thought.  I had lots of piece fall off that needed to be re glued with my liquid.  And a bunch that appeared glued at first but then flaked off.

In the end......I think I'll stick with my individual glueing process.  

It's cleaner, quicker and a sure bet ;)

Either way, the end results were just what I wanted.  I cut out several of the word tiles, used some chipboard and my pictures.  A few extra bits here and there and I was done.  It's clean and simple and sometimes that's just what a 2 pager calls for ;)

Thanks for looking!

Designer Showcase

Carol here wishing you all a Happy Easter.

Hope you are having a beautiful and blessed day with your family and friends.

Today I have a little designer showcase for you.  

I wanted to share with you ways to find inspiration for titles on your layouts.

I love fun and unique titles and am always looking and listening for things that strike me.  

I also love to just say exactly what I think as a title.

As you might already know Pinterest is a wonderful place for inspiration.  

I love to search quotes and use them as titles.

Here are a few that I've used or am planning to use:

 Pinterest

layout

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

I used this last one on a layout using the April kit with my son Jack.

The statement was perfect for these fun pictures of him, poses that he struck himself without any coaching from me ;)

Another great resource is music.

I'm always listening.

I love the way music lyrics express things so beautifully that I just don't think of.

For instance, this layout using items from this months grab bag and kit.

I heard these words from a song, which I failed to note....my apologies, 

but I believe it was a Taylor Swift song.

When I heard them I knew they would be perfect for a Hawaii picture from my trip this last January.

The title is a little difficult to see here on line, but it says
 "I flew across the ocean to see what I could see"

Other great song lyrics that I've used are:

From the music of West Side Story (and also my daughters favorite movie)

on this layout

"i feel pretty.....and I pity anyone who isn't me today"

From the movie Tangled

on this layout

words my children were actually singing at the time ;)

"i've been dreaming of a true loves kiss"

Remember to write down the little things that your kids say.....those make the best titles in my opinion.

Sometimes there isn't a story or a reason behind a photo you want to scrap.

Sometimes it's "just because"

or "because sometimes I just like to look at you"

For me titles are a fun aspect to my design and I love coming up with clever and original ideas.

They are all around you, just keep your eyes and ears open.

And have fun!

**********************************

For this challenge I'd love for you to find a great title and use it.

Then share with us your layout and where you found your inspiration.

I'll draw a random winner to receive a small RAK from me in 2 weeks.

Post your work over at the forum.....here ;)