Giveaways, and Prima...

Great combo, huh! Every day this week on the YSS blog, there is a question to answer for a chance to win some Stash Cash to use to snag up all those new releases that will soon be pouring into the store! You can check it out and enter to win HERE.

One more Prima project I can share today. I used a page from the new Donna Downey canvas album (it's 4x6 and has a binder-style cover!) to create this wall hanging. I misted several shares of blue and added a gorgeous new crystal frame to center everything on.

Hope your day is sunny!

~Alyssa~

Prima Projects!

Hi, all! Anyone else sitting at home wishing they were in Chicago? :) I have a kid-free day today, though, so I will be creating... in honor of CHA. Got to use those Jan CHA goodies before the new ones arrive!

This is my layout for the July BAP, found HERE on the Prima blog. This is a really fun sketch, and there are still a few days left to enter!

This layout uses the BRAND NEW Donna Downey Canvas sheets. They are 12x12 and FULL of possibilities. I cut out the pattern on one to create this layout, but I am also working on using one as a background... so many possibilities!

Ok, off to drop off the kiddos and get busy!

~Alyssa~

It's HOT!

The high is 97 F for Saturday! Sigh. And to think in AFRICA it is in the 70's. I know that it's winter there... but it just seems so wrong to me. :) Milena had her first soccer practice yesterday, she was sweating buckets!

I am working on some Prima projects... and some things for the Color Room. We shall see if I am able to get photos anytime soon. In the meantime, just think of me painting, and misting, and playing with my new watercolor paints! :)

Just a couple layouts to share today... I borrowed a friend's camera for a few minutes.

The first one uses American Crafts "I Do" line.

And this one uses BoBunny Mama-razzi! (LOVE that line!)

Keep Cool!

~Alyssa~

Make a layout, on a pillow!

Ever thought about quilting paper to make a layout background? Well, I did it, and I am here today to show you how. You will need cardstock, a sewing machine, an iron, a washcloth, lace, and some different adhesives. Oh, and some paper from your paper shredder.

1. Cut squares from your cardstock and lay them out in the pattern you want to use. I cut 4 inch squares, which means my finished layout has 3 inch squares (you lose seam allowances).

2. Sew into strips, always keeping the right sides facing, and gently fold the seams open. Then sew your strips together, again, right sides facing. Some people are concerned about all the corners lining up perfectly. If you are, take time to do that. If not, just put it together and flow with it. Do what you like here.

Notice that the strips already sewn together are right side up, and the strip being added is right side down? That's what is meant by right sides together. You want to have all of your seams on the same side when you are finished.

3. Measure to make sure your "quilt" is large enough. You may have lost more in seam allowance then you thought.
4. Dampen the backside with a wet (not dripping) washcloth.

5. Iron all your seams flat, and open.

6. Draw out your circle. If you have a template big enough, that works well. I found a center point and used a ruler to make marks around the circumference.

7. Cut your circle out.

8. Cut a circle of the same size for the back of your layout. Cover the center with adhesive, leaving a wide edge clean.

9. Add shredded paper (your stuffing, or batting) onto your adhesive. A small handful is enough. Around the edges, adhere the lace you have chose for edging.

10. Using a strong adhesive, glue the two layers together. You will probably have to weight it down around the edges for a while.

11. Embellish as desired.

~Alyssa~

My camera is gone...

My husband has the camera with him for the next two weeks, which means my photos will be limited to what I can take when I visit my friend Kim. :) I am here, I am creating... I just can't share them without a source for photos.

So, I thought today I would share the photos that I am scrapping.

I have a tutorial prepared for you as well, hoping to have that up this week. You're gonna love it. See you soon.

~Alyssa~

YSS Sketch contest!

Are you ready for a contest? I am! I am already excited to see all of the beautiful creations I know you are going to make. Here is the info:

Deadline: August 15th, 11:59pm PST

Prizes: 2 random entries will win $10 in Stash Cash. 1 Grand Prize winner will receive $25 in Stash Cash. The Grand Prize winner will be chosen by our DT and will not be eligible for the random prize drawing.

How to win: Upload your newly created (after July 13th) projects using any of the sketches in the YSS Gallery (or on our blog) to the YSS gallery, and link your creations to this post. The following types of projects are eligible: altered items, layouts, mini albums, cards, and tags.

The fine print: You may enter only once in each category (ex: you may enter only one layout, but you may also enter one card, one tag, etc.) Projects must also use at least one item found in the YSS store. Please let us know which sketch inspired you when you upload. Sketches posted between now and the deadline are also fine to use. (Heidi will be posting an awesome one on Friday!)

Ok, so what are you waiting for? :) Get over there and enter!
~Alyssa~

As promised, but late...

I have scrap space photos for you. Sorry about the delay, we ended up making a last minute decision to head out of town for a family reunion, and we were gone all weekend. So, I am back with scrap space photos today. These were taken on Wednesday, when my space was clean. Today I am hard at work on Prima CHA projects, so it's busy, busy, busy, and not quite so clean.

This is the overall view. My space is in the corner of my living room. The red paint works well for the living room, not so well for a scrap space, but since it's the same room, it is what it is. :)

This cabinet and I shared in a paint disaster, and neither of us have recovered. :) (I need to buy more paint and repaint- someday that will happen). It was my very first piece of scrap storage. The ribbon holder on the side of the cabinet is something my husband built for me. It needs paint too, but it works wonderfully. I have a sweet man. :)

The 3 drawers on top are my scrap drawers, sorted by cardstock, patterned paper, and other bits and pieces. The little drawers hold my copics and Silhouette parts. The baskets hold Prima goodies, and flowers, bling, felt, etc. The storage under the desk holds all my alphas, and all my new product, until I have a chance to use it, and then it is gradually dispersed to its new home with like products.

~Alyssa~

Pink and Grey...

Another fun challenge from The Color Room. I just can't resist working with these palettes each week. I dig into my scrap drawer, and into my stash, in a different way then I do for most projects. It feels free, a creative expression limited only by color. Here is what I did this week:

Thanks for coming by! Tomorrow I will be posting a sketch at YSS, and I have some photos of my scrap space to share this weekend also. Hope you'll come back. ;)

~Alyssa~

It feels like an October Afternoon...

Ok, not really. It's actually HOT here, in the 90's with lots of humidity. But I received a bunch of October Afternoon in my latest DT box from Your Scrapbook Stash, and I have a few to share with you this morning. Most everything is October Afternoon Fly A Kite and Thrift Shop. The background of the first one is BasicGrey's Basics. Everything is available in the YSS store... and Oliver and Olivia from BasicGrey are there now too!

This layout is my take on Lady Grace's sketch (posted on 7/3/10).

This one is my scraplift of this month's feature member, gayle.

~Alyssa~

Make a Tea Toter

I am up on the YSS blog today! (yes, I took another week shortly after the last one to allow the new YSS gals to settle in). I am posting today about this:

All the details are HERE. Thanks to Lollie Chessie for sharing her template with me!

~Alyssa~

Sad News

I have something I need to share with you today. I no longer work for Couture Cardstock in any capacity. I was informed two days ago that my position there no longer exists. Major financial changes within the parent company, Cardstock Warehouse, have been made, and major restructuring of Cardstock Warehouse is occurring. Despite the recent warm welcome that Couture received in the industry, the new structure is leading the company in a direction that eliminates the positions of all the former staff (Couture President CarrieAnne DeLoach included). As to the future of Couture Cardstock, I am not certain exactly how thing will develop. Questions can be directed to Cardstock Warehouse staff directly.

I want to say a special thank you to the designers that I have had the privilege of working with while at Couture Cardstock. You were a privilege to work with, and I will continue to follow all of your blogs and check out your amazing creations. I will not be at CHA this summer, and I will miss seeing all of you that have contacted me about it. Perhaps in January... :)

~Alyssa~

Monochromatic fun!

I have a couple of layouts to share today. Both of them are monochromatic layouts, and I have to tell you, I was pretty scared of this idea at first. But it turned out to be kind of fun. :) Once I got into it, it all came together pretty quickly. They are a little bit simpler then my usual layouts, but, well... it's a monochromatic. Ha!

See you tomorrow!

~Alyssa~