…say THAT 10 times fast…

We are celebrating National Scrapbooking Day today by sharing some of our projects that feature our Grand 12″ Borderabilities (a scrapbooker’s favorite). Let’s get right so some inspirational layouts.

Let’s begin with a traditional use of the Daisy Borderability. Cathy Chlebana cut/embossed and stenciled with gel pens to add a border to her page.

Another layout, this one by Jeni Caulkins, shows what you can do to a any Borderability with a little color washing. Jenis page features the Rose Borderability.

I love this next idea…Beth, my blogging partner in crime, used the Daisy Borderability back-to-back to create a stunning embellishment for this piece. You can see a tutorial on how to create it here.

Have you ever thought of using a border…not along a border. Check out this layout by Jennifer Ellefson. She used her Heirloom Scroll border in the middle of the page. It’s perfect.

Wendy Weixler used yet another technique. Not only did she cut/emboss and stencil her Wisteria long border but she also inked through the die right onto the page (that shows some bravery, for sure).

Thanks, Ladies, for sharing your art with us all. Later (when I can recover the pics on my 16 Gig card OR find a USB cable that fits my camera…ugh), I’ll share with you how to use the Grand Cut Mat Kit…

In honor of Earth Day or Earth Week or for those of us that reduce, reuse and recycle every day, I thought I would share some ideas that apply to crafting.

Reduce.

• Turn off the lights and computer when you are done.
• Do your work under compact florescent lighting, and dispose of them safely when burned out.
• Carry reusable shopping bags whenever you shop.
• Buy what you need, and avoid excessive packaging.
• Carpool to the crop.

Reuse

• Spellbinders’ Die templates are tools that are used over and over, and won’t wear out.
• Save your scraps, and use them on cards and scrapbook pages.
• I use magnets (with outdated calendars on the front of them) to store my die templates.
• Spellbinders’ clam shell packaging is useful for storing not only die templates, but paper scraps, embellishments, or other small items.
• Spellbinders’ clam shell packaging could be used as part of a project.  Cut it in half to use as a window.
• When looking for texture, instead of buying new items, think of things you already own that can be embossed.  That mesh bag the onions came in?  It makes a great texture, as do lace, coins, and charms.
• Too many supplies?  Arrange a trade with friends or donate those supplies to a school, scout group, or charity.

Recycle

• When you buy an item,  recycle the packaging.
• Of the things you dispose of, what can you use in your crafting?
• Soda cans can be cut and embossed in the Wizard with Spellbinder’s Die Templates.
• Chipboard used in cereal boxes and packaging can be cut and embossed.

2008 Design Team Member Jeni Calkins did a great job of using pages from an old book to make the flowers on this layout.  She used S4-109 Flower Creations 3, Nest-02 Nestabilities Classic Squares, S4-144 Long Classic Rectangles Scalloped Large, S4-145 Long Classic Rectangles Small, S7-001 Rose Borderability Grand.

If we all do our part, the Mother Earth will be a wonderful place for our children, their children, and so on.

Happy Crafting and Happy Earth!

Beth

Day 5 takes us to Embellished Dreams, hosted by Heidi Blankenship.

Heidi hails from Minnesota and has been crafting for as long as she can remember beginning with making doll dresses with her grandmother. In 1988, Heidi discovered stamping when her parents gave her some supplies. “That is when my love and passion for paper crafting began and I have been hooked ever since,” she says. She is always looking for more products and new techniques that can inspire and challenge her. That is one of the reasons she loves working with Spellbinders dies, they offer so many possibilities.

She has been teaching stamping classes locally for several years and feels that one of the best ways to get people involved is to inspire them. “Although stamping is my art of choice, I also enjoy painting, floral design, jewelry making and photography,” she says. Heidi’s husband Eric is very supportive of her passion. Currently, she stays at home with two wonderful boys Dusty and Evan. When she is not in her craft room, she can be found with family and friends or on the net.

You can visit with Heidi on her blog, Embellished Dreams, and see the new release there today! Don’t forget to enter to win all 5 of the newly revealed die templates!