Thursday Tutorial

I have put together a mini tutorial to share with everyone here.

Altered Mouse Pad

Today you are going to alter a mouse pad using your scrapbooking supplies! You will need to gather up the following supplies:

mouse pad
adhesive
Patterned paper (I used Basic Grey)
pen
scissors or knife
rubons
glitter or stardust pen (optional)
Modge Podge (optional) *don't use too much or your paper will buckle*
paint brush (for podge)

Directions:

1. You need to decide where you would like your mouse pad to be positioned on your paper. I wanted the pretty birds to show on mine.

2. Once you have decided then flip it over and trace the outline of the pad with your pen.

3. I chose to ink the edges of my paper in brown. I find it hides any errors in cutting!
4. You then need to adhere your paper to your mouse pad.

5. Figure out where you would like your rubons to go.

6. I then grabbed my stardust gelly pen and added some glitter. (It doesn't show in the pictures though.)

7. If you intend to use this as your mouse pad for at the computer you may want to cover it with some Mod Podge to seal and protect it.

Viola!! A very pretty and unique mouse pad that the gals at work will envy!

Remember that if you chose to alter a mouse pad and send it to me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca then you will be entered into this month's blog prize. A great Maya Road collection of goodies!!

~Tara~

Challenge #11

It's time for another challenge. I want to see you get your creative juices flowing. It's not too hard but, I hope you have your thinking caps handy.

I want to see you create your own embellishment for your next creation. I will leave the details to you. You can alter some chipboard or make your own flowers, like I did.

On my page, featuring Paige, I made my own flowers. I made them out of Crate Paper and used an Origami technique. I added a button and voila... a homemade embellishment!

Here is a closer look at one of the flowers:

Everytime you send me a challenge based creation, send me a tip, technique or tutorial, use a font posted on the blog or any other ways I post, you get a ballot for the Monthly Blog Prize Draw!. On the 15th of every month I will randomly pick a winner!!

You can email them to me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca . Please put Scrapdango Blog Challenge in the subject line.

~Tara~

Blog Winner Announcement

I am sorry I am a little late posting the Monthly Blog Prize winner.

I had my daughter, Emmy pick the winner from a John Deer hat. I usually use a random generator but, it's fun to let the girls have a go at picking too. They enjoy it.

So...... the winner of the Board Purse book and Daisy Bucket Goodies is.....................

Holly!!

Please pm me your address and I'll mail you your prize.

Another session is underway!! I'll post the prize pack tomorrow along with another challenge!

Thanks again to everyone who sends in thier work. I love recieving them and showcasing them on the blog! You rock!

~Tara~

Blog Tutorial

I have a very special treat for everyone today. A fellow Dango gal has sent me a wonderful tutorial that I am sharing with you today!

Ghost Shapes and Alcohol Ink Technique by Holly

Ghost Shapes and Letters have been popular for some time however, have you ever gotten tired of the “same ole same ole” when altering them and making them your own? Try using Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Inks to create a special ghost item all your own.

Alcohol Inks dry very quickly and being fully prepared prior to beginning is a must.**USE ONLY IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA**First cover your work area thoroughly (I use a double layer - one plastic and one cardstock) and wear rubber gloves if this is your first try at using them. (your fingernails will absorb the colors and other than making a fashion statement with the new trendy “tie died” nails…you will be wearing the inks for a while-these inks take weeks to wear off!!!
Lay out your supplies and again be ready before beginning

SuppliesAdirondack Inks (two or three colors at least)

Adirondack Blending Solution

Applicator

Applicator pad

Ghost shapes and/or Alphas (I used Maya Road)

Attach a NEW CLEAN pad to the applicator handle. (Please note this handle is not a necessity but after several projects without it…..I find it a MUST HAVE!) If you choose to try this without the applicator handle, bundle up some felt(a thick bundle) and use-WEAR GLOVES!

Next, Open all the bottles you are planning to use……again the AI’s dry so fast, you must work quickly and caps slow you down. Start with your first select color and apply a small amount to the applicator pad.

Pat the pad across your ghost image leaving some bare spots.

Using the blending solution, dribble a few dots over the ghost image.(notice the fun effects you get!)

While the Blending solution is wet and puddled add a second and third color of AI's to your image.

You should use the applicator to remove excess ink if needed. Apply additional color if you want and try some experiments adding blending solution.Use tweezers to handle the image until thoroughly dry.

Apply the images to you project and enjoy the fact you have created a very individualized ghost shape!!!

Thank you very much Holly for sharing this great project with us. You have earned a ballot for the monthly draw which I will post the winner for tomorrow once my girls wake up.

NOW... Challenge time!! I would love to see you girls try this awesome technique. For eveyone who does and sends me thier project, they will recieve a ballot for the new draw that begins..... NOW!! Email them to me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca and put "Scrapdango Blog Challenge #10" in the subject line.

If you have any tips, techniques or tutorials you would like to share you can email them to me. You will recieve a ballot each time you send something in.

~Tara~

Scrapdango Tips

I love it when you gals send me some tips. I have a few wonderful tips to share with you from Ally (thecircleguru)

Here's a few tips for you...
- Clear rhinestones.... color them with alcohol inks to get different colors!

- Unmounting your wood mounted stamps.... put them in the microwave for a few seconds to loosen the adhesive between the stamp and the wood block to make it easier to take them off.

- Rub-ons.... staple the backing to the rub-on sheet so the rub-ons don't adhere themselves to the packaging or another piece of paper on your desk.

Thanks Ally for sending in these great tips. You have earned yourself a ballot for this months Blog Prize Draw!! If you have any tips or techniques your would like to share with us please email them to: thynner5@yahoo.ca and put "scrapdango blog" in the subject line.

Look out tomorrow when I will be posting an awesome tutorial from one of our Dango girls. She also earned herself a ballot for the draw!!

I will have my girls draw a name tonight when we they get home from thier riding lessons. Then... another prize round begins!

~Tara~

Challenge #9 ~ Sketch Puzzle

Its' time for a little fun! I have put together a sketch puzzle for you gals to solve. When you are done, print off the sketch and create a layout!

I have chosen a sketch from my friend Lucy's Sketch World Blog. I always have a great time with Lucy's sketches and some of my favorite layouts that I have made are from using her sketches!

I have made a medium version and a hard version for you to solve. Please note that they are both of the same sketch.

Medium Version

Hard Version

If you have any problems printing this sketch off just send me a pm or email me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca and I will send you the sketch. Please put: “Scrapdango Sketch Puzzle” in the subject line.

Also, if you use this sketch as the foundation for your next layout and email it to me or provide a link you will be entered in this month’s Blog Draw!!

Have fun!

~Tara~

Challenge #8

Its time to combine two of my favorite things.... fonts and challenges!!



I have found a fresh and funky new font for my Dango girls! It is called Sketched Out! Cool or what??

You can dowload this awesome new font here: Dafont

Now for the challenge...... once you have this cool font on your computer I would like to see you use it to make a card or on a layout. Please email your creation to me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca and put "Scrapdango Blog Challenge 8" in the subject line.

Everyone who sends in a creation will earn a ballot for the Blog Prize Draw!!

Have fun and enjoy your new font!

~Tara~

Mystery Challenge Winners

Wow... what a great response girls. I compiled a list and used an online generator and have come up with the following winners:

1. Taryn
2. Suzanne
3. Audrey
4. Amber
5. Dutchessj

Congrats girls!! Please send me your mailing address so I can send out your mystery envelopes. Please let me know when you recieve them. You will have one week to use the contents of the envelope and email your creation to me. Once I have recieved them all, I will post the Reveal on the blog!!

Now... for those of you who did not win this time..... I will call on you all for the next Mystery Envelope Challenge!!

~Tara~

Mystery Envelope Challenge

I am going to start something new on the blog. I have sitting on my dining room table five envelopes with numbers on them. Each of them have some paper and matching embellies. I am looking for five people who would like to rise to a Scrapdango Mystery Challenge.
If you would like a chance to create something using the contents of one of these envelopes then please leave a comment!! I will leave this challenge open for 24 hours!! You will have until midnight Friday to leave your comment.

I will then randomly draw 5 people's names. I will then mail these envelopes out. You will have one week from the time you recieve it to create something with the contents and email your creation to me. I will then have a big reveal on the blog!!

This is open to all Scrapdango members as well as my fellow DT gals!!

So.... who's up for our first Scrapdango Mystery Challenge??

~Tara~

Blog Spotlight

I have another treat for you this weekend. We had another wonderful Guest Designer in April. I really enjoyed having her around and helping us out. I would like to introduce to you...... Amber (amberhelga)

1. How long have you been scrapbooking? 9 years
2.Describe your scrapbooking style? not sure
3.What are your favourite manufacturers? heidi swap my minds eye, love elsie and maya road
4.What are your favourite scrapbooking magazines? creating keepsakes and scaprbooks etc.
5.Do you have any scrapbooking goals for 2008? try to get organized ( so far not working!)
6.Do you attend crops or prefer to scrapbook alone? i do attend crops ! but rather scrap alone!
7.What do you listen to when you scrap? i like the morning shows!
8.What are your favorite foods and drinks? diet coke and pizza
9.Do you have any pet peeves? yes dirty cloths left on the bathromm floor!
10.What do you find do you scrap the most? my daughter i love MAKING GIRLIE PAGES!
11.Any scrapbooking trends you like? Don’t like sewing on my pages and i will try anything once or twice to get it right
12.What is your favorite color to scrap with? black red and white or pink and brown 13.Anything else you would like to share with us? i'm so glad I joined this kit club and message board ! Everyone has been super nice and friendly and i've been having tons of fun!

I asked Amber is she would share a few of her favorite layouts with us and she chose these beautiful ones:

Sweet Girls:


My Girl:

My Family:

You can see more of Amber's beautiful work in her Scrapdango Gallery.

You can learn more about her by reading her blog: Amber's Blog

Thanks again Amber for sharing a little about you with us and thanks for all your help as our guest designer for April.

~Tara~

Blog Spotlight

It is time to spotlight some more Scrapdango girls. Tonight I wanted to spotlight Jennifer (pebblesjns).

As most of you know she won a position as one of April's Guest Designer's and we loved having her with us! Let me intoduce to you.... Jennifer.

1. How long have you been scrapbooking? Since June 2007 - about 11 months now

2.Describe your scrapbooking style? clean and simple

3.What are your favourite manufacturers? Imaginisce, Doodlebug, Bazzill

4.What are your favourite scrapbooking magazines? Scrapbooks, Etc. and Creating Keepsakes

5.Do you have any scrapbooking goals for 2008? my major goal was to complete my honeymoon album and it is now done, so no other goals yet!

6.Do you attend crops or prefer to scrapbook alone? I get more done alone, but I like to go to crops for the company and conversation!

7.What do you listen to when you scrap? The playlist on my computer, which is the same as on my MP3 player...a little bit of country, pop, rock, everything really

8.What are your favorite foods and drinks? Favorite drink is Cherry 7-Up, which I haven't had in forever...and favorite food is lasagna

9.Do you have any pet peeves? They usually deal with driving (going too slow, not using a turn signal or leaving it on after you've turned, etc.)

10.What do you find do you scrap the most? vacations are always fun because I'm able to relive the memories through the pictures and my journaling

11.Any scrapbooking trends you like? glitter/bling, sheer things, handwritten journaling, flowers, penguins Don’t like? Chandelliers and things that just don't fit on my page

12.What is your favorite color to scrap with? anything bright or girlie

Here are a few of Jennifer's favorite layouts:

We:

Gulf Shores:



Fun At The Farm:

You can see more of Jennifer's work in her Scrapdango Gallery.

Thanks so much Jennifer for allowing me to spotlight you on the blog and for all your hardwork during the crop and as a featured Dango DT!!

~Tara~