Monday, January 30, 2012

Epiphany Crafts + Echo Park Blog Hop!


Welcome to the Echo Park Paper Co. and Epiphany Crafts Blog Hop! 

On this hop you'll see the amazing things you can create when you combine Echo Park Paper Co. paper and embellishments with the amazing tools from Epiphany Crafts. Below you will find the blog hop list. Simply hop from one blog to the next to discover entirely new ideas for using these amazing tools with our beautiful products. 

Leave a comment on each designers' and company's blog to qualify for the drawing for an Epiphany Crafts Heart Button Tool and Heart Button Epoxy stickers, as well as, two collection kits "Yours Truly" and "A Boys' Life" from Echo Park Paper! 




We hope you enjoy all the inspiration created by these two amazing teams. Winners will be announced on Friday, February 3rd on the Echo Park Paper blog and the Epiphany Crafts blog. 

All comments are due before midnight EST on Wednesday, February 1st to qualify for the drawing.

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Here is my project for the hop:

The Echo Park papers "Yours Truly" were the perfect choice for this fun project!  I've also used the Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio tools in Heart 25 tool and Oval 25.  The Heart 25 and Oval 25 Bubble Caps as well.



Start at Epiphany Crafts blog:       


Then hop to:

Audrey Pettit  

Nicole Martel  

Aly Dosdall  

Keri Babbit  

Julie Walton  

Rhonda Van Ginkel 

Linda Auclair 


Then onto the Echo Park team:


Wendy Sue Anderson: 

Leslie Ashe: 

Amy Heller: 

Jennifer Gallacher: 

Kandis Smith: 

Tamara Tripodi: 


End at:

Echo Park Paper Blog: 

Prize: See above!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Quick Quotes CHA Sneak Peek!

"Wishes
are little scraps of
wants and needs
wrapped
around your
heart
with the most
delicate and hopeful
ribbons of
thought."
Patsy Gaut
-------------------------
Weekend greetings to you!  

Todays post brings you my project for our Quick Quotes CHA Sneak feature for the all new "One Fine Day" collection.  The Design Team was graciously sent a Grand Calibur machine by Spellbinders and some fabulous dies to play with!   Pair that up with our CHA Sneaks and well, you just have a whole lot of fun and creativity happening!!!

My "One Fine Day" project:  Sly Guy

So, these photos of our little guy being as fully "two" as he can possibly be, still really just crack me up!  The drama, the pouting, then the instantly crazy sweet coy smiling cherub face at the end.  Yep, this is him for all of his 2nd year.  The way the sign framed in "Come Follow Me" was perfect for this day.  I've got a little love note tucked behind my main photo with the story of the day. 

Confession time...  I have *ahem*, well, cough...  a bit of a collection of Spellbinders dies.  They are sort of like potato chips, you can't have just one!  You'll see a variety of them on my project from sprockets, to circles both small and grand as well as a butterfly and a border.

Designers Notes:
  • For the orange cardstock border, I used the Borderabilities die and ran it through two times. 
  • The Sprightly Sprockets dies were used here to continue the circle theme but with a bit more variety.
  • This paper collection has really great strips, I used them to create the vertical ribbon strip cluster. 
  • I used the Standard Circles Sm dies and folded them in half to create my petite circle banner.  

Quick Quotes Products:
One Fine Day Collection
Mango Mai Tai, Limeade and Blue Hawaiian PowderPuff Chalk Inks
Frosted Flourishes
Jewels (Previous Club Q Kit)

Spellbinders Products:
Grand Calibur
Sprightly Sprockets
Fanciful Flight (Butterfly)
Grand Circle
Standard Circles SM
Classic Scalloped Borderabilities Petite
Labels Four SM

Other:
Cardstock, Stampin Up
Butterfly Punches, EK Success and Martha Stewart
Acetate Mat, Que Sera Fera, K and Co.
Mini Alpha's, MLS
Diamond Stickles, Ranger
Bakers Twine, The Twinery
Sewing Machine and Thread

Thanks so much for stopping by today and spending a moment!  Have a super scrappity day!!!
 ~ Rhonda
-------------------------
ps.  Don't forget to stop on over to the Quick Quotes blog for your chance to win a collection for yourself!!!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Some Masculine Inspiration

Friday greetings to you!

How's the start of your weekend treating you?  Are you relaxing this weekend or planning to kick it around California somewhere in the midst and mayhem of CHA?  If you're coming to CHA, I hope I get the opportunity to say hello into you! 

Today's post is one of my favorite challenges and products too!  Epiphany Crafts challenged the gals to create a masculine Valentine's Day card.  I used the Yours Truly line from Echo Park for my creation.  Thank you Echo Park for sending these gorgeous papers!!!


The heart shaped papers fit the Shape Studio Heart 25 and the Button Studio Heart 20 perfectly!

I used my MyStik adhesive to put this card together!  Love it!!!
This collection has such elegant designs and a wonderful vintage flair!
 
I hope you enjoyed my little card today, it was so much fun making it!!! 
I can't wait to give it to my sweetie!

Ingredients:

Shape Studio Tool Heart 25, Epiphany Crafts
Button Studio Tool Heart 20, Epiphany Crafts
Heart 25 Bubble Caps (2), Epiphany Crafts
Heart 20 Button (1), Epiphany Crafts
Yours Truly papers, Echo Park Paper Co.
Cardstock, Bazzill
MyStik Adhesive Runner, Scrapbook-Adhesives by 3L
3D Foam Squares in Black Small, Scrapbook-Ahesives by 3L
Pinking Scissors, Fiskars
Stick Pins, Jenni Bowlin
Heart Border Punch, EK Success
Tab Punch, Stampin Up
Bakers Twine, Martha Stewart
Black Soot and Fired Brick Distress Ink, Ranger
Sewing Machine: New Home, Thread
Other: Ribbon and Black Hemp

Make sure you stop on over to the Epiphany Crafts blog
and leave a comment for your chance to win
a Shape Studios Round 25 Tool!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a super scrappity day!!!
~ Rhonda

Thursday, January 26, 2012

A Fun Introduction!

Thursday greetings to you my crafty peeps!

Today is my Design Team introduction day over at Imaginisce!  Pop on over to their blog for a few moments and you'll be privvy to some tidbits about Rhonda that you probably don't know. 

Now don't laugh or throw darts please (ha!), but I managed to snap a new pic right after Christmas for this blog event using the self timer feature on my Rebel.  That was fun and I'm definitely going to look into getting the remote control for it next!


A big giant Thank You to Imaginisce for having me design again for them this year!  I am very honored and absolutely love all of your products!!!

Have a super scrappity day!
~ Rhonda

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Exciting Quick Quotes News!

Today is the reveal for the 2012 Quick Quotes Design Team!

I am excited to announce that I will be a part of the 2012 Quick Quotes Design Team!  You can see the announcement here.

2012 brings forward some changes with my role at Quick Quotes expanding a bit, as I accepted the Social Media Director role for the team in December. 

It is my privilege and sincere honor to represent a company that has such a variety of amazing high quality products.  I also love that you offer classes and the Private Reserve (fantastic scrappy retreat!!!) opportunities for scrapping fun, thank you Quick Quotes! 

---------------


Please join me in welcoming the...

2012 Quick Quotes Design Team



Congratulations to the new members, I can't wait to work with you all and get to know you better!  Welcome back aboard to our returning 2011 Design Team members, Adora and Jennifer!

Please take a moment to stop on over and congratulate these talented ladies!

A great big hug and thank you going out to the 2011 Design Team members who will be moving on to other crafting endeavors.  It has been a sincere honor and pleasure working with you!

Have a super scrappity day!!!
~ Rhonda

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Va Va Va Voom - Kanban Style!

Happy weekend to you!

I wanted to stop in today to share a really fun swanky creation using Kanban Crafts.  I call this one "All About Her"!  I used a variety of Kanban products on this card that mixed together for a fun effect!

Some glitter acetate and black metallic finish cardstock along with the black damask print really gives this card an elegant feel.  It may be a bit on the "vampy" side, but I love it for something feminine and different!
Tips: 
  1. The black border strip is the relief of a scallop square die cut. How's that for using your scraps?
  2. Adding a little strategic accent bling can really transform a project.  Check out her hairpiece, glove and the border. 
Kanban Products:
Moulin Divas- Black PCT9878
Black Damask-Red CRD1353
Black metallic cardstock
Red Glitter Acetate

Other Products:
Grand Calibur, Spellbinders
Grand Scallop Square, Spellbinders
Heart Button Studio 20 Tool, Epiphany Crafts
Heart Acrylic Button 20, Epiphany Crafts
i-Rock, Gems and Glam Rocks, Imaginisce
Tiny Attacher, Tim Holtz for Ranger
Seam Binding Ribbon, Black Hemp

Thanks so much for stopping on over today!  Have a super scrappity weekend!!!
~ Rhonda

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Sole Sisters Release Party!!!

Can you feel the excitement in the air? 

I sure can and all of the gals over at Imaginisce are super excited to share with you our latest collection!


When I took a look at the all new Sole Sisters collection, the only photo that came to mind was of course, the one of my best forever friend!  We had such a wonderful time shopping for our dresses for Spring Formal and the entire evening was magical.  I am so grateful that we ditched our dates for a minute and got this photo snapped of us together, because there aren't that many photos of us together from college.

I love how the different styles of shoes represent that we are different, but so very alike!
I used my i-Rock, heart gem, and coordinating color gems to pop the colors.  A bit of maneuvering makes the handbag hang from the corner of the frame.  : )  I also used the frame diecut and filled it in with some fussy cut flowers from the collection.

---------------------------
The next project that I created was to take the collection and spin it a bit.  This is an Anniversary gift that I created for my husband.  I thought it would be fun to use the sentiments here in a different way:

"I Pick You...  Forever"
The frame here is by Kaisercraft.  I thought it lended the shape nicely to a wedding feel with these pattern papers in the collection, aptly named "I Pick You".  Gotta love it when that happens!  he he
So you all know the d-Stress tool is one of my favorite life-saving tools for Altered projects, right?  For projects like this, it's such a fabulous go-to, hands down!  See how nicely it finished my edges? Seriously, if you do any frames or altered chipboard, etc., you need one in your life! 

I used the canvas flower sticker, layered it on top of an accordian flower and another punched scallop for some interest.  Tucked in a few leaves to bring the flower alive. 

There aren't many projects that don't get a visit from my i-Rock either.  It makes everything just come alive!  Check out the tiara - I added the tiny little hot rocks from my multi case for it.

---------------------------

I had to do it!  The cliche~ Purse Card

Ok, so I didn't want to be predictable, but this was too perfect to let it go.  lol!  I've used my canvas sticker here from the collection along with my i-Top 2.0 and a 22mm brad daddy for the closure.  I filled in the white space with a red copic on the canvas sticker.
A few embellishing gems in fun colors with the sticker stacker finish this cute card up!  This shaped card inspired by Kelly Panacci.  Thanks Kelly, I just love it!

---------------------------

Thanks for popping on over and visiting today, make sure you stop by the Imaginisce Blog to see the rest of the team's amazing creations!!! Word has it, there might be a way for YOU to win a collection for yourself too!

Have a super scrappity day!
~ Rhonda

Monday, January 16, 2012

Valentine Grunge Blog Hop and Challenge!

Greetings to all of my crafty friends!!!  I have something fun for you today!

We are kicking off a Valentine's Grunge Blog Hop and a challenge over at A. Jillian Vance Designs.  Have you heard of them yet?  They make some fabulous stamps and some of them coordinate exactly with the Epiphany Crafts tools. 

If you are arriving here from Elisa's blog, you are in the right spot!!! 

If you don't know what I am talking about...  start at Jillian's blog and check out all of the details.

Now for the fun!   The challenge is to create a Valentine card in a grungey style! 
This challenge is open from January 16 - 21.
--------------------

For this challenge, I used Jillian's "Sending My Love" set of stamps.  How completely adorable are these?!!!:


The Echo Park papers "Yours Truly" were the perfect choice for this fun project!  I've also used the Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio tools in Heart 25 tool and Oval 25.  The Heart 25 and Oval 25 Bubble Caps as well.


Adding a little ink and tears gave the right amount of grungey masculine appeal to the card.  One fun find...  the Epiphany Crafts Heart 25 tool is a perfect fit for the heart pattern paper.  The oval tool was a perfect fit for one of the sentiment blocks too!  I used the key stamp in the center for a fun vintage flavor. 
The XO heart was created with the heart stamp with Red StazOn ink and the XO from the Sending My Love stamp set.  That's my project for today, thank you so much for stopping by! 


The next and final stop on the hop for you is: 
A. Jillian Vance Design Blog


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

And now for the best part...   who would like to win some BLOG CANDY? 

There will be two prizes given out, here is how you can win!

1st way to win:
  • Enter the challenge, create your own grunge style Valentine, leave a comment on this post, and become a follower and subscribe to http://ajillianvancedesign.blogspot.com/
  • You will have until Saturday January 21st @ midnight CST. to link your project
  • Prize:  You could WIN two stamp sets "A {little} love" , "Sending my love" and Pear Pins.



2nd way to win:

  • Make a comment on every blog in this hop and subscribe and become a follower to http://ajillianvancedesign.blogspot.com/.
  • You will have until Saturday, January 21st @ midnight CST to complete your comments!
  • VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE LEAVE A WAY FOR US TO CONTACT YOU IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE WINNER'S!
  • Prize:  Stamp set "A {little} love"


ALL WINNERS WILL BE POSTED HERE ON SUNDAY JANUARY 22nd

*******************************
Ready to play?   Load your creation here:


Sunday, January 15, 2012

Stamping - Easy with Kanban!

Happy Sunday crafty friends!

I've got a quick fun card to share with you that I created for Kanban Crafts.  It has a variety of fun products that I used and was such a pleasure to create!


I have to say, I love the little ball trim on the cloud!  he he!!!


The puppy is colored with my Copics (be kind, I have not yet taken any classes!).  I tilted the puppy a bit and my frame so that it would fit.  I also colored in the white polka dots for the frame with my Copic marker to coordinate the project.  The sentiment stamp is also from the set as well. 

Kanban Products:
CRD1212 - Animal Print Zebra Background Card
PCT9341 Large Frames Black Paper Craft Toppers (I colored the polka dots with my Copics)
Stamp 9004
Travel Print Cardstock (main base)
Pearl Blue Cardstock
Pearl Mocha Cardstock

Thanks so much for stopping on over today!  Have a super spectacular scrappity Sunday!!!
~ Rhonda

Saturday, January 14, 2012

CHA Sneak Peek at Summer Samba!

Happy Saturday greetings to you! 

I have a happy little creation for you today featuring a CHA Sneak peek of one of Quick Quotes' new lines called "Summer Samba"!!!  Did you know that Quick Quotes makes some beautiful paper lines with coordinating color vellum journaling "helpers"?  You really should pop on over to the store and check things out!

Check out Quick Quotes over on Facebook too as they are counting down to CHA.  They are sending 20 prizes out in 20 days!!!  There are still lots of prizes to be won!!!

It's bitter cold here in the midwest, but in my crafty room it's sizzling with the heat of some Summer Samba!!!  This cheerful collection is so much fun!  I think I might need to take a tropical cruise to make some photos to go along with it.  Doesn't that sound like a great idea?  *grin*

There's a little story about my card for today.  I intended on creating this for submission to the recent Paper Crafts call for their sketch.  Due to family illness, this did not get done in the timeframe required for the submission.  So, I thought it would be fun to share here today. 

I used my Spellbinders Grand Calibur and my Standard Circles SM dies to create my sun shape. 

Want to get some more Samba in your soul?  Pop on over to the Quick Quotes blog and look around a bit.  The gals have had a bunch of fun creating with this line!!!

Ingredients:
Summer Samba papers by Quick Quotes
Blue Hawaiian and Maraschino Cherry PowderPuff Chalk Inks by Quick Quotes
Standard Circles SM by Spellbinders
Alpha Rub-Ons by October Afternoon
Yellow Cardstock by Bazzill
Other:  Sewing Machine and Thread

Thanks for stopping on over today!  Have a super fabulous scrappity weekend!!!
~Rhonda

Monday, January 9, 2012

Quick Quotes CHA Sneak!

Happy Monday crafty friends! 

I'm super excited to share my Quick Quotes project with you today!  All this month over at the Quick Quotes blog, we are featuring some new CHA sneaks.  Spellbinders sent the team each a Grand Calibur and a variety of current dies to play with.  Needless to say, I've been having a blast playing with these!!!

The Dreamscape line features some rich jewel tone colors.  I love that although the colors are so vibrant and rich, the tones and feel of this line is very soft.  For my project, an artists tray was used to create a special home decor piece.
Spellbinders dies used:  Labels Four Small, Sprightly Sprockets.
I used the Butterflies Impressabilities here to add some texture:

Here I used my Epiphany Crafts tools to create some heart buttons and clustered those with the sprocket:
A few stick pins and sprocket along with the keyhole and key.  I backed the keyhole with some paper:

Ingredients:
Dreamscape Pattern Paper, Sentiments and Colored Vellum by Quick Quotes
Frosted Flowers by Quick Quotes
PowderPuff Chalk Inks in;  Purple PassionVery Berry and Blue Moon by Quick Quotes
Jewels by Quick Quotes
Beacon 3-in-1 by Quick Quotes
Sprightly Sprockets by Donna Salazar for Spellbinders
Fanciful Flight by Donna Salazar for Spellbinders
Labels Four SM by Spellbinders
Grand Calibur by Spellbinders
Butterflies Impressabilities by Spellbinders
Clocks, Keyhole, Spinners, Key and Brads by Tim Holtz
Heart stickpins by Maya Road
Grey stickpins by Jenni Bowlin Studio
Flowers and spray by Petaloo
Shape Studio 25 Heart Tool, Heart 25 Bubble Caps (2) by Epiphany Crafts
Button Studio 20 Heart Tool, Heart 20 Button (2) by Epiphany Crafts
Artist's Tray by Hobby Lobby
Other:  Sewing Machine, Pinking scissors, Thread, Grey ribbon and elastic, Seam binding crinkle ribbon and Hemp

Thanks so much for stopping on over today!  Be sure you stop on over to the Quick Quotes blog to see even more projects using this yummy new line!!!

Have a super scrappity day!
~ Rhonda

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Kanban Clean and Simple

Tuesday greetings to you!

I have a few final holiday creations to share with you today using Kanban Crafts.  The inspiration for these designs are those stunning trees and Kanban's pearl finished cardstock.  The feel is so crisp, I just love these!


For this card, I punched a few snowflakes from the card base and decorated the relief with some Imaginisce gems using my i-Rock.  Another snowflake punched from the Textile Collection acetate is layered with a snowflake.

So I had all of these cute scraps on my table...  what's a gal to do?  Make a few little giftcards and tags of course!  These were fast and so much fun to put together. 


Ingredients:
ACE9707 - The Textile Collection - Victoriana White, Kanban Crafts
PCT2057 - Xmas Tree, Kanban Crafts
Pearl Cardstock, Kanban Crafts
PCT1209 - English Riviera - Elements - Green, Kanban Crafts
i-Rock and gems, Imaginisce
Snowflake punches and Doily, Martha Stewart
Tiny Attacher, Tim Holtz
Kraft cardstock, The Paper Company
Other:  Sewing Machine, Thread and String

Thanks so much for stopping over today!  Have a super scrappity day!!!
~ Rhonda