Make a DIY Easter Bag & Card set in an hour

Hello friends…Kim here with a challenge for you!

Are you like me and have loads of  leftovers of collections just looking for purpose? Well I set myself a challenge for todays post..to find a purpose for the leftovers I have from the super-cute, themed, Millie & June collection. So I thought with Easter around the corner, that I would get a head start with my crafting & come up with a way to transform the supplies into an Easter gift set. The colors are fabulous & the patterns super cute…I knew right away it would not be difficult to do.

This is the result!

Easter Gift Set by Kim Watson

(Youtube process video to follow, see my channel or pop back to see this post once updated)

The first thing I did was look for a whole 12×12 piece of paper. I would need an entire sheet to create the gift bag. Once folded, I die-cut the bunny face to fit the width of the bag, rouged her cheeks, drew her eyes & mouth and then made the bows from the convenient Millie & June die-cut paper bow set.

The card was also super simple to put together. Using a strip of Our Garden patterned paper I cut a backing piece in the gold foil stripe & flipped the leftover piece using the floral side to cut a big pennant shape. I then die-cut a circle from the pennant, making a little window for the chick to peek out of.

The accents consist of a trimmed tag (to hide the sentiment) & a few patterned heart ephemera; which reminded me of Easter eggs. Not having the correct stamp sentiment, I used the speech bubble die-cut & hand wrote Happy Easter, which finished off the card nicely.

So as you can see, repurposing your themed products is not as complicated as you would think. I hope this has inspired you to haul those leftovers out, with the purpose of giving them new life 😀

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Have an awesome week!

Fancy Pants Designs products used: Millie & June

Use those words!

Hi friends, how are you doing on this pretty Tuesday morning? 

I hope you are feeling creative today because I have a super technique to share with you that is both ‘green’ and fun to do. Not only is it a play on words but the titling seconds as journaling and page interest too.

To get my story across I used catch-phrases, hashtag-style, with meanings that relate to having a kid who is a motor-mouth. In other words, I really used my words well.

What you’ll need to re-create this technique:

• Completed or partially completed Fancy Pants Designs alpha sticker sheet.
• Talcum powder
• Black pen

Step #1:

Take your sticker sheet and separate the backing sheet from the sticker sheet. This will leave you with the negative alpha sticker sheet and the left over alpha stickers on the other sheet. Turn the sticky sheet over and rub talcum powder all over it to remove the stickiness.

Step #2:

Using a fine black marker, use the negative letter shapes as templates to draw words onto your base page.

Once your hand drawn words are complete add secondary words either above or below them with small, contrast alpha stickers, creating words or phrases that contribute to the page theme.




I didn’t have enough cardstock sticker alphas, so mixed in Fancy Pants chipboard alphas. At the time I was worried that they might not gel with the rest of the page, but was pleasantly surprised with the result. The change in texture, contributes to the idea of staccato, non-stop talking or conversation.

And yes, in case you were wondering… car trips are cause for earplugs in our family. LOL.

I hope you enjoyed this idea… and remember we’d love to see your versions of it. Remember to post your pages on the Fancy Pants Designs Facebook page, Instagram or Pinterest with the hashtag #fancypantsdesigns. We’ll be watching out for standout pages to feature in our September newsletter.

Thanks for joining me today! Happy Tuesday!

Fancy Pants Designs products used: Alpha Stickers, Vellum Paper, Silver Foil Paper, Be Different, Everyday Circus

Channelling your scrappy heros!

You have scrappy heros right? I know I have plenty!

Today I wanted to show you how one can successfully lift/ channel someone without a direct copy. For this page I incorporated x2 lifts into one page, with fun results. I used inspiration both from layout, accents placement, color & photo layout ideas.

Many thanks to the very inspirational designers who's pages I used for this demonstration.

Wilna Furstenberg

Yuki Shimada 

 The Things You Do by Kim Watson

You can clearly see evidence of both pages in my final page above. 

Supplies used: +Fancy Pants Designs-Me-ology collection, +Echoparkpaper-Basics patterned papers, +Thermoweb adhesives, +TombowUSA adhesives, +Ranger Ink inks. 

 I used the idea of paint strips like Wilna did & added die cut numbers, with ombre paper underneath for interest. 

Using multiple dies I created a selection of custom made badges as accents on the page. 

All dies from +MFTstamps, check out their on-line store, where you can purchase any of the dies shown below. 

Die-namics High Rise numbers

Die-namics LLD Accent It - World Traveler

Die-namics Pinking Edge Circle STAX

Die-namics Happy Hellos

 Thanks for stopping by!

I [heart] sketches by #fancypantsdesigns!

Yes...it is almost time again, for us at #fancypantsdesigns to select a winner for the #August sketch #contest as seen in our August newsletter!

Need a little inspiration?

This is the amazing August sketch by the talented Jenny Evans. 

My take on the sketch...interpreted into a 8.5"x11"version!

Collection used: Me-ology by Fancy Pants Designs.

Hello Cut-file: Fancy Pants Designs can be purchased in the Silhouette online store. 

Collection used: Me-ology by Fancy Pants Designs, Vellum Paper by Fancy Pants Designs, +Thermoweb , +Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L, +TombowUSA adhesive and watercolor crayons, Veneer by +Studio Calico, Other: #Homemade Enamel dots. 

So hurry...you have 5 days to get your entries in. I can't wait to see your awesome work!

Thanks for stopping by!

FREE cutfile + a new Sketch!

Every month #fancypantsdesigns runs a sketch contest in their monthly newsletter/ emag. The amazing this about it is, it is FREE!! You can download from their website, or even easier, have it sent directly to your inbox, all you have to do it sign up.

This is the sketch contest from the July newsletter... to give you an idea of how cool they are. You get a FREE sketch to work from, as well as a bunch of sketch support from the Fancy pants Designers. 

Each month the selected winner not only wins a Fancy pants Designs hamper but also has the chance to be the featured designer in the monthly newsletter too.

Collection used: Everyday Circus by +FancyPantsDesigns

My take on +Jenny Evans  fabulous sketch!

BONUS! free Ampersand cut file!

NB: This cutfile is for your personal use only! 

ENJOY!!

#fancypantsdesigns july sketch + 5th aug deadline

Crafty friends, do you know what day it is tomorrow??
It is the deadline for the July sketch #contest for +Fancy Pants Designs? Have you gotten your entry in yet??

There is a COOL PRIZE up for grabs... hehe! I know what it is...and you are guaranteed to LOVE it! But that is not all, you also stand a chance at being our featured designer in next month’s newsletter!

NB: In order for +Fancy Pants Designs  to view your layouts, post them on their Facebook page, or tag them on Instagram (#fancypantsdesigns) by August 5th (tomorrow), making sure to use this month’s sketch, along with Fancy Pants Designs products.

Here is the #fancypantsdesigns July sketch!

This is my take on the sketch, hopefully it will inspire you to get your crafty groove on...:)

Backyard Stroll by Kim Watson

Collection used: Me-ology by Fancy Pants Designs, Vellum Paper by Fancy Pants Designs, +Thermoweb , +Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L, +CloseToMyHeart twine, 'happy' metal-die by +TechniqueTuesday, 'Memories' metal-die by +MFTStamps & Dies,  

Come on...hurry...I can't wait to see all your entries.

Photos with meaning.

I really enjoy taking real-life photos with my iPhone.

I love the freedom and spontaneity of capturing a moment on the fly. No fancy photo shoot, props or coiffed hair, just something I want to remember, poised in time just as it is. So when browsing through my photo gallery looking for a photo for my next page, I was instantly drawn to this one and the explosion of emotion that accompanied it. It spoke to that special place in my heart brimming with gratitude. Living in 3rd world Africa with poverty as my neighbor, I find myself increasing grateful for the life although not fancy, it privileged.

Collection used: Fancy Pants Designs- As You Wish

Serendipity by Kim Watson

Serendipity by Kim Watson | Supplies: Serendipity by Kim Watson | Supplies: Cardstock by +Stampin' Up!; Patterned paper, Corrugated card, Die cuts, Stickers, Buttons, Cork arrow, Chipboard, Decorative bag by +FancyPantsDesigns, Wood veneer, Enamel dots, Sequins, Cork chevrons by +Studio Calico, Adhesive by +TombowUSA , +Thermoweb, & +Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L , Sewing machine, Font: Veteran Typewriter

Amazingly I didn’t have to edit this photo taken into the early morning sun. The usual blue silhouette effect beautifully catches the drama of Max and Luma (our Schnauser cross Staffie pup) running free, on the endless stretch of wet sand, against the mountain backdrop. 
I wanted to ensure it remained the focal point of the page so paid special attention to the placement of the title and page accents. Maximizing ‘white space’ within the photograph was my solution, keeping the page design uncluttered. 

Blending the journaling directly onto the photograph and using asymmetrical placement, simplified the design perfectly.  The repetitive use of double cork chevrons, creates directional anchors and visual symmetry. 

For a more in depth look at my creative process behind the page, check out the Masterful Scrapbooking class. Remember you have to be a subscriber in order to see the full class. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Sketchy Summer + a FREE cut file.

I recently submitted a page for a sketch call for a Canadian magazine... it wasn't selected so I thought I'd post the page here :) When the mag came out I realised why they didn't take it... because my fellow Fancy Pants DTér, +Diana Fisher, had submitted one using the same collection. hahaha! Isn't her page just fab?!

Collection used: Nautical by Fancy pants Designs

Cut files: My own FREE for your personal use. [LINK]

Summer Longbeach 2014 by Kim Watson (simple version)

I thought I might have some fun with this sketch & do another version of the page with more detailing. The differences are subtle but I think I prefer the busier one. Which one do you prefer? 

Summer Longbeach 2014 by Kim Watson (detailed version)

Summer by +Diana Fisher 

{As seen in Scrapbook & Cards Summer 2014 issue}

This is the sketch in question.

                 {Sketch as seen in Scrapbook & Cards Summer 2014 issue designed by Becky Fleck}

Ha! The things we paper crafters do to challenge ourselves??
Glad you stopped by! Enjoy the FREE cutfile!

Pocket Scrapbooking + Metal dies.

Have you tried incorporating the ever trendy pocket scrapbooking vibe into a regular scrapbook page?

For a recent blog hop with Fancy Pants Designs & Taylored Expressions I did just that, using some of their amazing metal dies!

•  ‘Pocket & Pages essentials die set’
•  ‘This way to Smiles‘
•  ‘Twiggy Branch’
•  ‘Basic bow’

Hello Gorgeous by Kim Watson

For more info on the fantastic Me-ology collection, check out Fancy Pants Designs!

Fancy Pants Designs Craft Vol.2 is HERE!

Hooray!

Volume 2 of Fancy Pants Designs Craft EMAG went live yesterday! It is filled with amazing 'never-seen-before' projects, tutorials, tips & downloads.

                                                  [click on the image for the link]

I urge you to sign up for it, download your own FREE copy, then grab a cuppa & a sofa.
It's as easy as that.... :)

Well done to the team at Fancy Pants Designs, it is another winner!

Scrapbooking with faux chalkboard techniques

During a recent interview with +Debbie Hodge  over at #MasterfulScrapbooking, we were discussing a faux chalkboard technique on my page Wild Child created for the Process Play article, where I used a white gel to transform plain black alphas.

As promised this is the other page I mentioned featuring a few #fauxchalkboard techniques I used for an assignment for the +Papercrafts&Scrapbooking May 2014 issue seen on page 44.

Live Life by Kim Watson

Supplies: Cardstock: +Bazzill Basics Paper ; Patterned paper, Decorative Bag, Buttons, Stickers, Die Cuts: (Memories Captured) +Fancy Pants Designs; Metal Flair: Evalicious; Clear stamps: Autumn Leaves (live Life- old), My Minds Eye (and), +MFT Stamps (enjoy the awesome journey, stars, triangle border), +Hero Art Stamps (speech bubbles), +Technique Tuesday (arrows), Cocoa Daisy Designs (arrows, chevron); Date stamp: American Crafts; Ink: Close to my Heart, +Close To My Heart; Stampin’Up; Embossing Powder: Stampin’Up; Color media: (pencils) Tombow, (white gel pen) Sakura; Adhesive: Tombow, Thermo web; Twine: +Close To My Heart; Tools: (mat, trimmer, scissors, punch) Fiskars American, (acrylic blocks, paper piercer, sewing kit) Close to My Heart, (heat gun) American Crafts, Sewing Machine

Idea #1:

Draw a double line border around your page & hand-write your journalinhg using a white gel pen. For an authentic chlakboard feel, shave actual chalk dust onto the page & gently rub it in in areas around the page, giving a chalky smudged effect. 

Idea #2:

Stamp speech bubble images onto black cardstock then emboss with white embossing powder for crisp white images. 

Idea #3: 

Create a chalkboard style conversational title using a mixture of fonts & sentiment stamps. Emboss with white embossing powder for crisper images. Using soft colored pencil crayons like the ones I used from +TombowUSA, work into your design using a crosshatching & rubbing technique for an authentic chalkboard vibe. 

I hope you feel inspired to try some techniques of your own....it is a fun creative technique to try!

Happy crafty Tuesday friends!

Fantastic news + going double!

I’ve got something FABULOUS to share with you!  

I am honoured to have created the first official e-magazine newsletter for Fancy Pants Designs, featuring work from the talented design team and a special guest designer!  Each month, there’ll be FRESH, never before seen ideas and inspiration and FREE downloads included… so be sure to sign up now to receive the emails/newsletter to your inbox (you can sign up HERE)!  

I know you will love it!  

Check out the MAY 2014 Issue now by clicking on the image below!

This is a sneak of our monthly sketch challenge designed by the talented Jenny Evans, for a chance at winning an amazing prize pack. 

Download the newsletter for more info. 

Today I also thought I'd share x2 double page layouts I created a few months back.  As you know I love the 17"x11" double page format. I find the size great in terms of storage, as well as the perfect size for memory keeping, allowing me extra space for photos as well as journaling & a creative technique or two. 

Which size do you prefer?

Chill by Kim Watson

Collection used: Timber Grove by Fancy Pants Designs

Comforts of Home by Kim Watson
Collection used: Timber Grove by Fancy Pants Designs

Thanks for stopping by!