Please Welcome Guest Designer, Lizzie!

Hi Everyone! Happy Last Day of November! Did I just say that? Really? Well I thought we would go out with a wonderful Guest Designer to round out our month :) The person I am speaking of is Lizzie! I met Lizzie when she joined my group, The Card Lifters over on the Fiskateer board. She totally inspires me and I know she will do the same for you. She is a very talented card artist! Without further ado let's get started on learning more about Lizzie :)We will start with her  bio a questionaire then on to her most groovy projects. Deb♥



Birthday Girl!!!

I'm Lizzie! I'm a twenty something momma of three that lives in Texas! I love doing all kinds of crafty and artsy things! I'm a pretty funky fun loveing lady that is always up for a challenge! I love making cards and crocheting and I'm getting into painting more and more! I also design digi stamps that I offer on my blog for free monthly! I love bringing joy to others and getting them in the crafty, creative spirit!















1.Tell me all about the start of your art, How did your scrapbooking/cardmaking begin? I've always done crafty/artsy things for as long as I can remember. Even when b/4 I was scrapping I was making novelty purses and postcards to sell or just give away to friends! But I started scrapbooking in early 2008 and cardmaking came later... which btw I'm totally in love with doing!



2.Do you have a style that you feel you can relate most to? I have a very funky style that is all my own! It took me a few years with trying new things to come into my own, and I'm happy i did it! If you find a style that works for you and you love doing it, then keep at it! Don't feel like you have to change to keep up with the masses... be you with your craftiness and art!



3.Do you have a stand-by element/paper line or tool that you must use when you create? I have tons of paper lines that I adore! Echo Park, Sass, Oct Afternoon are my top three! As for tools... I love my Fiskars pink handled mico tip scissors! And my Fiskars apron lace border punch!!



4.Do you have a favorite technique? I love to doodle! It adds a special aspect to your work and makes it totally one of a kind! Even if you are mass producing something, like cards, not one will be the same! It's an easy way to add yourself to your project as well!



5.If you could not shop for one year...would your craft space be emptied or would you still have product? I would have like NO cardstock that's for sure! But I would come up with other stuffs... I have TONS of yarn and fabric so I would prolly sew and crochet more! Heck I might even try to knit again for the upteth time! lol



6.Can you tell something about yourself that others would be shocked to learn? I'm a very happy go lucky person... I love being happy and carefree... but it hasn't always been that way for me. I suffer from depression... I've had it since I was a child. So a lot of ppl are shocked to hear that! B/c when you meet me in person I'm super happy and bubbly! And I love being this way!


 7.If you could make one outfit out of scrapbooking paper what line would it be from? an outfit? Echo Park Little Girl! I'm not just saying that b/c all my projects are made with that line... i REALLY love it! that yellow they use is my favorite shade of yellow! Not to mention pink houndstooth? /swoon I would make one killer dress and a pair of shoes out of it!!


8.Where can people find you hanging out in Cyberspace? you can always find me on my blog http://ohsnaplizzie.blogspot.com or on facebook... i have a bad game addiction lol I also hang out at Tallyscrapper.com and Fiskateers.com... are you a Fiskateer? you should be!


9.What makes you a groovy chick? B/c I was born groovy! I'm a chick that isn't afraid to try something new! I love taking chances and I think I'm a pretty awesome and funky gal! I'm totally groovy!




Here are the projects I made! There are FOUR of them! The first is a Birthday card made with the heart Fiskars punch (That's Amore) and I did a li'l 3-d effect, it was easy, just punch out alot of the hearts, I did five or six, and then fold them all in half, then glue them all together to make it pop!

The second one is a Happy Birthday card made with a free digi from Make It Crafty from the owners B-day last month.

The next one is an awesome party hat I made! I mean what is a birthday w/o a party hat right? I used lots of Echo Park 'little girl' for my projects b/c well... this paper line is very ME! I love it!

And the last card is a card that I made with a digi that I designed! You can get it free on my blog from Dec 1st - 6th ONLY! And did I mention it's FREE??

Thanks Lizzie! This was fun :)
Deb♥

Do You Know Guest Designer,Sandy?

I enjoyed a project created so much by Fiskateer friend Sandy, that I asked her to be our guest here at IIG today :) This is a good one just in time for the beautiful holidays ahead! Check out the very lofty goal she has set for 2011!!!

Let me introduce you now to Sandy with the questions I asked of her and the project I mentioned above. Be sure to visit her blog to say hello :)
Deb♥

Tell me all about the start of your art, How did your scrapbooking begin?
I began scrapbooking at a very young age. If you look in my scrapbooks from when I was 5 or 6, I was already writing in them about my party or gift. It's not a lot and rather hard to read, but Mom felt the stories in my scrapbooks should be mine, so I wrote some and she wrote some with me. The art side of my fun just came naturally when I started incorporating items of nature into my altered books, then came ink and the rest is history.

Do you have a stand-by element/paper line or tool that you must use when you scrap?

There isn't any one tool or element that I must use. I work very hard at stepping outside of my box and trying something different or from a different view. I do use a lot of chalk or ink because I love adding color to the edges. Sometimes it's distressing and sometimes it more of a cloudy look to just add color.


Do you have a favorite technique?

I actually have two favorites.

-I love using my stamps to create water color looking images. I don't use it a lot, but I do love the effect of coloring my stamp, spritzing with water, stamping, then spritzing again, stamping, and if I'm lucky, I'll get a third image from the stamp before I re-ink.

-I also love the effects of detailed masking. It's so cool to see a scene come alive just by using different stamps or stencils.


If you could not shop for one year...would your scrap space be emptied or would you still have product?

Funny you should ask. I don't plan to buy any consumable products during 2011. That includes paper. Not only will I still have product, but it's very possible I won't need to buy any adhesive during this next year, (or ink, or cardstock, or stamp cleaners, or paint, or, or, or...)


If you could make one outfit out of scrapbooking paper what line would it be from?

Hmmm. This is a tough question since my clothing style is not the same as my crafting style. I think Heidi Grace and Fancy Pants both capture some of the materials I might use to create blouses or vests, but my first choice (don't laugh) would probably be Bazzill. I love solid colors with accents and in the case of my current clothing the accents include ink and bleach spots, from a few, very fun, crafty sessions. My scarfs would be made from Anna Griffin, K & Company, or Wild Asparagus. My colors choices are black, red, gray, and white, but I seldom wear these the way I like because it is very warm here and layering, blazers, etc. just don't happen.


Can you tell something about yourself that others would be shocked to learn?

I love being alone. I do not like social gatherings and I would rather watch and not talk.


What makes you a Groovy Chick?

I say “Cool” and “Very Cool” a lot. Does that count?




Where can we visit you Groovy Chick?

This has been a teaching blog until now. I hope to start posting a little more often with tips, tricks, links, etc. Here is the address: Sandy :)


THE PROJECT:

Snow Globe Cards


















Supplies:

- Very sticky two sided adhesive. I like Thermoweb sheets, and spray adhesive works too.

White Cardstock

Cardstock for base card, cut 11” x 4 1/4”

Cardstock for creating sentiment (cut, punched, or using nestibilities or die cuts for shapes)

Crystal glitter, the largest flakes you can find.

Stamps to create scene

Stamp for sentiment

Pens to color the scene (or any bold coloring medium)

Tape runner for creating actual card

embellishments


(I'm not used to creating a supply list. I usually just bring the supplies, so I hope this is complete)




1. Start with a circle the same as, or slightly less than, the width of your card. Because you will want a base on the snow globe, the card will always be a vertical card. Our circles for class today are 4” circles (with a 4 1/4” card), because it was convenient to use a die cut and that is what was available.




2. Cut both, a piece of white cardstock to stamp your globe scene on, and the sheet of adhesive, in same size circles. *See foot note.




3. Stamp scene on white cardstock circle and color with bold colors that will show through the glitter. Stamp your scene in a good detail black ink like Rangers Archival ink.




4. Peel one side of protective sheeting from your adhesive circle and adhere it to your stamped scene circle. Set aside.




5. Create your base for the snow globe. With the 4 inch circle we are using in class, a 2” x 4” piece works well. Add shape to your base by cutting angles on each side. Decorate your base with any stamped images or sentiments you prefer. Hold off on adhering anything with pop dots until after you've added the glitter.




6. Carefully peel back the bottom of the protective sheeting to expose just enough adhesive to attach your base. Lay the excess sheeting back down on any exposed adhesive and set aside.




7. To create the easel fold card. Cut cardstock 4 1/4” by 11”. Score at 5 1/2” and 2 3/4”. Fold both in the same direction. Set aside.




8. To create the base of the card that will hold your easel in place, you can use anything with dimension. In class, my samples have a sentiment stamped on card stock and trimmed with a reverse corner punch. I then layered this onto matting cardstock that is also punched with a reverse corner punch. The original cardstock (matting) is approximately 3” x 2”. You can work with almost any size you want, as long as it's not too tall and will hold the easel fold in place. I used pop dots under my sentiments to ensure a good hold but I have seen cards where they used items as small as brads to stand the easel up. When deciding how big to make your easel support piece, consider propping your easel at approximately the half way point.




9. From here, you can add the **glitter to the remaining exposed adhesive, or secure the scene to your card and then add the glitter. To secure the scene to your card, place the scene on the bottom 2 3/4” fold of your card and mark the back of your scene where the cardstock ends. Apply tape or glue to the back of your scene to your marked line and attach.




*Another option is to prepare your scene (keeping in mind the actual size of your circle), on a piece of cardstock larger than your intended circle. Cut only the adhesive circle. When your scene is ready, peel one side of the adhesive circle and carefully lay it over your scene, then cut around it. This ensures a perfect match up of edges, but it's a little harder to make sure your scene is centered since you are looking through the protective sheeting.




**It is important to use a large cut glitter for this card. If it is too fine, you will not see the scene through the glitter. I found this at Michael s in the children's craft section. Be sure it is crystal (the color) and not iridescent.

Meet Guest Designer, Donna

Recently I held an online crop on the Fiskars Fiskateer website. Fiskars Ambassadors are known as Fiskateers. Fiskateers is more than a message board; It is a movement of those who love and use Fiskars products. If you have not joined you should check it out for yourself. Stop by www.fiskateers.com to tell them Groovy Deb sent you. You can get more info about participation...

In the meantime let me tell you about meeting Fiskateer Donna. She made some incredibly beautiful flowers that when I saw them I was awed! I know you will be too since they are so feminine and would make awesome embellies to any scrapbooking or craft project. Let's see what Donna can share with us about herself and the flowers...

1. Tell me about the start of your art, how did your crafting begin?

I would say I started crafting after I was married. I told my Hubby one
day that I really liked a macrame hanging I saw and instead of buying me the hanging, he bought me all of the supplies to make the hanging. I have been trying new crafts every sense.

2.Do you have a favorite technique that you use in crafting?

Stamping, I can't say I am great at this, but a scrapbook project just doesn't feel done until there is something stamped.

3.If you did not shop for one year, would your craft space be emptied or would you still have product?

With all the crafts I have tried and the product to go with them my crafting area would be stocked a year or more LOL!!!

4.If you could make an outfit from one scrappy paper line which would it be from?

Once upon a time, by Die Cuts With a View (click here for a visit there)!!! It is one of the first lines I started to play with and my scrap area isn't complete without some of it sitting around.

(p.s. I know the feeling!)

5. What makes you a Groovy Chick?

I guess I would have to say that what makes one a groovy chick is stepping outside the box and asking what can I learn next.

Thank you Deb. Donna



Paper Flower Book Tutorial

I made this book off the concept of Donna Salazar’s paper flowers; I loved them so much I decided not only to replicate them I wanted to add my own unique touch.

Here is picture of the supplies I used, but be creative when choosing the material for the various layers of flowers. I like to use newspaper, old book pages, doilies, napkins, and even fabric. I have also made these flowers using wrapping paper from my daughters wedding; it was a beautiful way to preserve a memory that normally would just be thrown away.

To start with I used a square of distressed cardboard box, simply peel away the thin outer layer to get the distressed look and lightly ink with a brown to give it dimension. For my paper flowers on this book I used dictionary paper, paper caper, paper towel, tissue paper, and one paper doily. Cut the various materials out into same size circles, I used three and a half inch circles for the two larger flowers. The smaller flower is made by using three inch flower punches, you can make the flowers any size you wish but you just need to make sure your circles are the same size for each flower in order to achieve this look.

I use a cardboard box to glimmer mist my materials in and I simply mist them until they are the color desired.

On a small scrap of paper place a hearty dollop of glue.

Layer your circles in the desired order then fold them in half and in half again creating the quarter fold. Snip off the end tip and then open flower back up and lay down with the middle hole in the center of the dollop of glue...

Now that your flower is on the glue use your fingers to press the flower into the center to give the ruffling effect and this will also work the glue into the layers giving it more stability. After your flower has the desired ruffled look let glue dry then punch a hole through the center of the flower, I use brads or buttons to give the flower a center and it will hold the various layers together.

After you have the flower complete trim around any excess backing paper you used when gluing so that it doesn’t show through, then attach to cover of book with glue dots.

I hope you enjoyed making these flowers as much as I did!

Thanks to Donna for sharing her art and a bit of her life with us today :)

Deb♥

Meet Kristin Lamb, Guest Designer of the Week

Have you met Kristin Lamb? Her work is beautiful and I was delighted when she agreed to be Guest Designer for If It's Groovy. Here is a little info about Kristin and some of her favorite layouts :)
Thanks Kristin!!!
Deb♥

1. Tell me all about the start of your art, How did your scrapbooking begin?
I've always loved doing different crafts and started 1 or 2 scrapbooks growing up. But in 2005 my scrapbooking obsession began. My husband and I got married in May 2004 and by Jan 2005 the military sent us packing and we were headed across the country to our new home in Virginia. I left all my family and friends back in Arizona. As a way to keep myself occupied and to document our new life together I found scrapbooking as wonderful outlet I could do on my own and later own with new friends at crops.













2. Do you have a scrap style that you feel you can relate most to? I can't say I have a favorite style or one I use most. My LOs can be clean and simple, to ones with a million little details. I'd like to say it' mostly modern with a retro touch.






































3. Do you have a stand-by element/paper line or tool that you must use when you scrap? I love card stock!! Black and Kraft cardstock dominate my stash. But that doesn't mean I haven't aimed to acquire every color of the rainbow. Bazzill is my favorite company for cardstock. As for a tool I love my Fiskar Trimmer.



4.Do you have a favorite technique? I love inking the edges of everything. I like the distressed look and the look of a colored frame around my pictures and papers. Brown and & Black are the main inks I use, both are Color Box Fluid Chalk Ink Pads.

5.If you could not shop for one year...would your scrap space be emptied or would you still have product? I would still have plenty of product to play with, lol, with with the exception of adhesive. Scary huh?








































6.Can you tell something about yourself that others would be shocked to learn? I'm hispanic, got the looks, got the attitude and even get a minor accent from time to time, but to be honest I can't speak spanish to save my life (other than taco and hola). I can understand nearly everything, but for speaking, nope, can't do it. My husband is anglo american and he speaks and understands it better than me.

7.If you could make one outfit out of scrapbooking paper what line would it be from? Currently, I'd have to say I adore October Afternoon's Cherry Hill Line, I'd love a summer dress using a varitey of the patterns from the line. For the season the colors are beautiful and bright.

8.What makes you a groovy chick? I don't follow rules. I like learning new techniques. I love making everything my own even it it looks a little unique and may or may not have imperfections. Scrabooking is all about telling your story the way you see it. Funky & Groovy is what it's all about.

Welcome Guest Designer Linda Auclair

Tell me all about the start of your art, How did your scrapbooking begin?


I started scrapbooking in 2002 when I was expecting my second daughter, Aileen. I had joined an online community for expectant Moms when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, and we were all still very close two years later. One of the Moms had some devastating news - her baby was diagnosed with leukemia. As a group, we decided to scrapbook our messages of love and support in the hope that someday when her daughter was well, she would look back at the book and know that all her Mom's friends were sending their best wishes and prayers for her full recovery. I purchased some basic scrappy supplies at Michaels, and was instantly hooked. I discovered the 2Peas online community shortly thereafter, and with it, Creating Keepsakes Magazine. I've been scrapping ever since!

Do you have a stand-by element/paper line or tool that you must use when you scrap? If you look back over 7 years worth of scrapbook pages, you can definitely see where I went through "phases" and used a lot of one thing or other on my pages. I've been pretty consistent with buttons and ribbon. My very earliest pages used both. And I almost always use alphabet stickers for my title. My current favorites are Pink Paislee's "Fashion Script" alphabet stickers and Webster's Pages "Storytellers" alphas.

Do you have a favorite technique? I was a quilter before I was a scrapbooker, so sewing is a natural technique for me to use on my pages. I do a lot of handsewing and stamping too.

If you could not shop for one year...would your scrap space be emptied or would you still have product? I'd be short on adhesive, but I'd probably still have enough product to keep me going for a long, long time.

If you could make one outfit out of scrapbooking paper what line would it be from? If I could make my favorite papers into fabric, I'd make myself a patchwork skirt.

Can you tell something about yourself that others would be shocked to learn? It's not terribly shocking , but there is a 13 year difference between my son and my oldest daughter, and he is 15 years older than my youngest daughter. They all get along amazingly well, however, and have quite the mutual admiration society.

What makes you a groovy chick? My kids think I'm groovy because I always have the best "stuff' to make their school and craft projects out of, and don't mind if they use it. :)


Thanks to Linda for the great interview and now a beautiful layout she would like to share with us:)
Deborah

Another Special Guest Designer, Sara Robison

Here is Sara Robison!

Tell me all about the start of your art, How did your scrapbooking begin?

I started scrapbooking in 1999 after visiting Japan with my high school classmates. That summer I came home with a LOT of photos, train tickets, etc. My mom took me to a local scrapbook store and got me started. After that I scrapped only a few times until I was pregnant with my son (now 2 years old). While pregnant I had an intense desire to create and document. There are now a lot of pages of our honeymoon in Hawaii!

Do you have a stand-by element/paper line or tool that you must use when you scrap?

Right now I really like kraft cardstock as a backgroud, stamps, stitching, and bling. I love my Fiskars border punches! I am partial to Heidi Grace, Cosmo Cricket, Sassafras Lass, and Basic Grey.

Do you have a favorite technique?

Not really! I do whatever I feel like at the time...so my technique preferences/tool choices (etc) are always changing.

If you could not shop for one year...would your scrap space be emptied or would you still have product?

I really don't know the answer to that! I think I'd still have product. I know for a fact that although I've depleted a good deal of my stash while living here in Oregon, I still have a box waiting for me in Ohio! Couldn't take it all...which means I'll have "new" stash when we move back.

If you could make one outfit out of scrapbooking paper what line would it be from?

Oh my! Tough question. I adore Sassafras Lass, but couldn't see myself wearing much of it. (Maybe for a little girl?) I think I'd have to choose Cosmo Cricket. Good thing they've turned some of their designs into fabric! I did sew a skirt using some Heidi Grace fabric last week...way too cute.

Can you tell something about yourself that others would be shocked to learn?

Hmm...shocked? I am shy. Seriously. I'm still nervous when ordering at a drive thru.

What makes you a groovy chick?

Laughing at that thought! The first thing that came to mind was my ability to shake my hips (did some Tahitian dance in college). In all honesty I'm a groovy chick in progress. I'm learning to do my own thing and find joy in the imperfections.

I am currently a Story Teller at Category Stories. Be sure to check us out! categorystories.wordpress.com

I asked Sara to share some of her favorite layouts and here they are. Thanks to Sara for being a part of If IT's Groovy. Look for her again during on 80's Crop where she will be participating by having a challenge for others to participate in :)
Deb♥

Meet Mardi Davis Guest Designer

Tell me all about the start of your art, How did your scrapbooking begin?

I was invited to a Creative Memories party back in 2003 by my oldest sister, who doesn't even scrapbook. I instantly fell in love with the idea. I spent a ridiculous amount of money that evening and only knew that world of scrappin' for about a year. I found an entire new world of scrappin and my style has changed since then, but I still spend a ridiculous amount of money for this passion of mine!

Do you have a stand-by element/paper line or tool that you must use when you scrap?
I seemed to be fascinated by flowers and tool I could not live without is my Fiskars rotary trimmer.

Do you have a favorite technique?
My favorite technique at the moment is cutting out patterned paper, the bigger the pattern the better.

If you could not shop for one year...would your scrap space be emptied or would you still have product?
Honestly my scrap space would not be emptied for at least three years if I did not purchase one thing in that time frame with the exception of adhesive.

If you could make one outfit out of scrapbooking paper what line would it be from?
Tough questions because there are so many papers out there that I love, but if I could only choose one it would have to be Little Yellow Bicycle.

Can you tell something about yourself that others would be shocked to learn?
I would love to but it is a secret, just kidding! I am one of eight children that grew up on a farm. We grew our own veggies and raised our own meat.

What makes you a groovy chick?
I am a groovy chick because my favorite time frame of music is the 70s and wasn't everything "groovy" back then?


Visit Mardi's blog here: http://mardi-sistas.blogspot.com/
Thanks Mardi for sharing some of your day and art with us. You are a groovy chick!


Here is a piece of Mardi's Art World:

Fiskars Guest Designer

It was my pleasure to be asked to be a Fiskars Guest Designer for February. I created this layout of my mom and youngest daughter using a very beautiful Cloud 9 line, Heidi Grace, and one of my favorite Fiskars Border Punches called Threading Water.

http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/projects/t_lovethe.aspx