New Year, New Pixel Scrapper Blog Train Freebies

Hello and Happy New Year! I'm running a little late but here is my contribution to the first Pixel Scrapper blog train of 2020. The theme is Sweaters and Hot Cocoa, but in my part of the country, it couldn't feel less like sweater and hot cocoa weather!

I hope you find my contribution useful! Find the links below the previews.

Sweaters & Hot Cocoa Elements

Sweaters & Hot Cocoa Papers

Sweaters & Hot Cocoa Elements
Sweaters & Hot Cocoa Papers

Thanks so much for visiting! Please share your creations, I'd love to see them!
Feel free to leave comments as well, I'd love to hear what you think!


 

Time For Spring Cleaning and The Pixel Scrapper Blog Train!

Spring has arrived but it's been so warm where I live it feels closer to summer.  I jumped on the Pixel Scrapper blog train this month which has the theme Spring Cleaning.  I'm not sure who scraps about cleaning, but hopefully you can use these papers and elements for other topics as well.  Be sure to check out the rest of the train, there are some great designs!

Download links are below the previews.

Spring Cleaning Papers

 Download the papers from google drive here.

Spring Cleaning Elements

 Download the elements from google drive here.


What kind of scrapbooking do you find yourself doing most often (i.e. pocket scrapping, hybrid scrapping, strictly digital, etc.)?  I'd love to know because I'm always wondering whether to make things with more or less texture, grunge etc.  I really want to make things that are useful and versatile!  Please let me know in the comments!

So glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy scrapping some fun Spring memories!  Feel free to leave a link in the comments so I can see what you come up with!

December 2018 Pixel Scrapper Blog Train: Retro Holly Jolly

I haven't participated in the Pixel Scrapper blog train in quite some time, so I'm excited that I finally have something to contribute!  This month's theme is Retro Holly Jolly.  I'm not sure I've captured that feeling, but I hope you can find some use for what I've made.  You can find the links to download the papers and elements below the previews.

Retro Holly Jolly Papers

Retro Holly Jolly Elements

Download the papers here.
Download the elements here.

I hope you enjoy scrapping all of your Christmas memories this season!  Please be sure to check out the wonderful contributions from the other designers at Pixel Scrapper, they really knocked it out of the park with this train!  I'd love to see what you create if you're able to during this busy time of year.  Leave a link below so I can check it out.  May you have a Very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!  Thanks so much for coming by!  

Freebie:Pixel Scrapper CU Blog Train August 2018

A year has passed and I decided to dust off my blog and post a freebie for the Pixel Scrapper CU blog train.  I hope it's useful to you!  You may download at the link below the preview.

Weather overlays

 You can download from google drive here.

Thank you for taking a look and I'd love to see what you create!  Feel free to leave a link in the comments.

Pixel Scrapper Commercial Use Blog Train-August

I've finally gotten a chance to get back at my computer to create after several months of working and not feeling very creative.  Since I missed the August blog train I thought I'd try creating for the commercial use one this month instead.  The theme is Fall Papers and since Fall is my favorite time of year it started my creative juices flowing.  I've also been wanting to make a Halloween themed kit, so this was the perfect opportunity to get started. 

I've made three Halloween overlays for this blog train and I hope you can find use for them.  Download link below the preview.

Fall Paper Overlays

Download from Google Drive here.

These overlays are for commercial use!  Enjoy!  Feel free to include a link in the comments so I can check out what you made!

Thanks for stopping by and Have a Crafty Day!

 
 

Pixel Scrapper Blog Train: Raindrops and Rainbows

Hello again!  Time for another blog train at Pixel Scrapper.  This month is all about raindrops and rainbows.  I played around a bit making the patterned papers by learning how to make rain in Photoshop and attempting to make some gradients, and generally just having a little creative fun.  I hope you can find some use for them in your projects.

Download links are below the previews.

Raindrops & Rainbows-patterned papers

Download patterned papers from Google Drive here.

Raindrops & Rainbows-solid papers

Download the solid papers from Google Drive here.

Don't forget to check out the rest of the blog train creations at Pixel Scrapper this month!

As always, I'd love to see what you create, so feel free to leave some links!  

Have a Craft Day!
 

 

Pixel Scrapper Blog Train Freebies- In The Pocket

Hello again!  I took last month off from the Pixel Scrapper blog train due to lack of internet connection.  I'm back now, although I started this one late since I wasn't sure I'd be able to upload it. 

The theme for this month is "In The Pocket".  I'm not much of a pocket scrapper, I tend to just throw stuff on the page and see how it all works out, but I've always wanted to try it.  I really like the clean look of pocket scrapping, and it's a very effective way of telling the story without getting too bogged down with elements. I have, however, seen some examples where there were plenty of embellishments!

I have a patterned paper pack as well as a solid one, both of which can be used for commercial works since both the texture and patterns were made by me.  I put them all into one zip file, I'm hoping it's not too large!

Download the papers below the previews:

Solids

 

Patterns

 Download papers from Google Drive.

I've also created some journal cards, since what's pocket scrapbooking without them?  I've also included other elements like paper clips and tape, as well as words.  These are for personal use only since I'm not sure about the fonts.  The fonts I used are for commercial use, however it's not clear to me whether or not I can give that license to whoever I give my creations to.  If anyone can clear up the whole terms of use thing when it comes to fonts, I'd love it!  

Both the journal cards and elements are in one zip file like the papers.

Download links below the previews:

Elements

Journal Cards

Download elements and journal cards from Google Drive.

Be sure to check out the other contributions on the Pixel Scrapper blog train this month, there is plenty of amazing stuff to pick up!  In fact, I think I'll be heading there now!

I'm so glad you stopped by!  I hope you get some use out of my creations, and if you do please leave me a link!  I'd love to hear your thoughts about pocket scrapbooking.  Do you do it?  What are the items you like to use?  Let me know in the comments!

Have a Crafty Day!
 

Happy New Year! First Pixel Scrapper Blog Train 2017

Happy New Year everyone!  Are you ready for another blog train?  I hope so!

Here's my contribution to "The Guys" Pixel Scrapper blog train:

The Guys

Download the papers here.

I'm still working on a set of tags, so you may want to stop back later this week.

Don't forget to check out the other amazing contributions on this blog train here.

Thanks for coming by, and I hope to see some of your creations.  If you'd like, please leave a link in the comments so I can check them out!  Also, I LOVE comments, they really make my day:)!

Hope your New Year is a crafty one!

Hello December! Another Pixel Scrapper Blog Train!

Another month has passed and it's time for another blog train at Pixel Scrapper.  To tell you the truth, I just barely got this one done.  The theme this month is "At the Table", and for some reason I couldn't get very inspired.  It's difficult not to think of the holidays in December, but I didn't want to do a holiday themed kit because many designers on the blog train already had that area covered quite nicely.  So I stuck to something more generic which can be used for any time of year.

I hope you can use these papers and journal cards along with the other beautiful creations the designers have come up with this month!  Find them here.  Download my contributions below the previews.

 Download the papers here.

 Download the journal cards here.

Thanks for coming by and I'd love to hear from you in the comments.  I appreciate every one of them, they make my day!  Seeing what you create would make my day even more, so please leave a link if you feel like sharing!

I hope your holidays are peaceful and full of joy!

Have a crafty day!

Pixel Scrapper Blog Train: Enchanting Autumn

This month has been quite busy for me, so I didn't get much done for this month's blog train at Pixel Scrapper.  

I did manage to get some papers done, however, and I hope you can use them with the other creative offerings on the train which you can get here.

Download the papers below the preview.

Download here.

Thanks so much for coming by!  If you use these papers in a layout I'd love to see what you created!  Please leave a link and/or a comment,  I really appreciate knowing what you think!

Have a Crafty Day!

The Pixel Scrapper Blog Train - Running Late!

Phew!  I didn't think I was going to make it!  I've finally finished this month's blog train kit, for which the theme is "School of Art".  This one was quite a challenge because I had so many ideas, but not the ability to bring them to fruition!  

My take on the theme is "Kid Art".  I thought it might be useful to those who have kids who bring home so many wonderful pieces of art.  Sometimes the art itself doesn't last, so how about scrapping it and keeping the memory forever?

I hope you find this kit useful!  Download links are below each preview.

 Download elements here.

Download paper pack 1 here.

 Download paper pack 2 here.

Don't forget to check out the kits from the other designers at the Pixel Scrapper forum.  While you're there, ask them how they get done so fast (LOL)!

Thanks so much for coming by!  I'd love to know what you think, and I'd love to see what you create!  Feel free to leave a link or a comment, or both :).  I really appreciate it!  Have a Crafty Day!

 

Oh Happy Day! The Pixel Scrapper Blog Train is Here!

Hello digi scrappers!  The Pixel Scrapper blog train has returned, and freebies await you...  (If you don't know what a blog train is, see this post.)

This month's theme is "Keep It Moving".  My favorite (and only) exercise is the simple act of walking.  I enjoy walking owner-less dogs with my friend Betty, and I also love to walk my dog every night with my 14 year old son.  Since I started walking regularly I've felt the benefits both mentally and physically.  I have more energy and feel more positive, not to mention I'm missing a few pounds and I'm not looking for them!  I thought walking fit perfectly into the "Keep It Moving" theme, so I went with it.

Hopefully you can use these papers and elements to tell your story, and if you do, please leave me a link so I can see your creations!  And don't forget to check out all of the other amazing blog train contributions on the Pixel Scrapper forum.

Download my contributions below: 

Download paper pack 1 here.

 Download paper pack 2 here.

 Download paper pack 3 here.

Download the element pack here. 

Happy scrapping to all of you.  And remember I'd love to know what you think and I'd love to see what you make so leave a link in the comments!

Thanks so much for stopping by and Have a Crafty Day!  

Hello Again! A Digital Scrapbooking Freebie for You! Links UPDATED!

Hello there! If you're into digital scrapping, stick around, there's a freebie in it for you.

As much as I love paper crafting, I've grown to love digital scrapping even more, so much so that I'm trying my hand at designing some things.  Along my journey I've found a wonderful site called Pixel Scrapper.  It's a great place to learn as well as pick up some freebies that the talented designers over there create. It's also a relaxed environment for newbie designers like myself to dip their foot into the design pool and see how it goes.  Every month they host a blog train.  What's a blog train?  It's an event where designers spend their time creating digital goodies and share them freely on a blog or in the forum at Pixel Scrapper.  For the month of August the theme is "Back to Nature", and everyone who participated has graciously created free digital scrapbook papers and elements with this theme in mind.

As for my blog train contribution, this will be the very first time I've shared anything I've created with anyone.  I am both very excited and scared to death! I hope you can use what I've spent the last month creating.  I'd love to know what you think as well, both good and bad, because it's the only way I can learn.

The Back to Nature theme brought visions of mountains to my head when I first thought of it, and I wanted to focus on the beauty of nature and not so much camping and s'mores.  I'm not sure I accomplished this, but you can take a look at the previews and decide for yourself!

My heart is beating fast as I type this.  Yes.  That's how nervous I am! 

My design name is now Cindalia, as I did not think icraft2create was appropriate.  If all goes well I'll start another blog with this name.

You can download these files here and here. 

Once again, I hope you can use these papers and elements when you're telling your story.  I would also love to know what you think, so please leave a comment.  I would love honest opinions, as I really want to learn so I can improve!  Thanks so much for sticking around!

Have a Crafty Day!

Happy 1st Day of School!

Several Cool Hours Of Ongoing Laughter!!

It's the first day of school in my area, so I made a set of cards for the three of my children who are going back.  My son told me about the acronym "Seven Crappy Hours Of Our Lives", and I knew I had to come up with something better!  Honestly, none of my kids appreciated these cards, but I had a blast making them!

It feels so good to get back into crafting mode, as well as on a schedule again.  I've been quite sick for several weeks, and finally I feel like I'm on the mend.  I've never gotten such a nasty cold in the middle of August!

How about a calendar?  Yup, made a calendar for September, with you guessed it, a back to school theme.

Once again I printed it out at 8in.x8in.  Last month I made a stand to put my calendars on in this post.  So far it's working out well and I don't miss having a larger 12in.x12in. calendar.

I found a great place to learn Photoshop techniques called Digitalscrapper.com.  They have plenty of free videos, and you can also sign up for Premier which gives you even more videos as well as digital goodies!  This is where I learned to create folded corners, which I tried out on this calendar.  It's an easy technique, but I want to practice a bit more.

Of course with today being the first day of school, I had to take some pictures of my two Middle Schoolers getting on the bus.  They did not want any part of it, but how could they deprive their mother of a scrapbooking opportunity?  I had already made a layout using files from SVGCuts.com.  Making a digital page this way is so quick and easy!  I put this layout together much the same way I did the one in this post.  Now the memory of my daughter's first day of Middle School and my son's first day of 8th grade is on a page.

I decided to include the countdown calendar I made from a previous post in this layout because I wanted to try blending two photos together.  Believe it or not, that was the most time consuming part of creating this page.

That's it for now.  Let me know what you think, or if you have any questions.  Until next time.....
Have a Crafty Day!

Items Used:
 Acronym cards:
 Lunchbag digital paper from Sassy Designs
 Kraft Solid digital paper from Weekend at Home Kit by Kate Hadfield
 Georgia-Pacific white cardstock
 Bebas (Font)
 SNF Sketchy (A+)
 Advert (Font- Are you ready...)

 September Calendar:
 Off To School digital kit from Fancy Pants
 LD Writer's Cramp (Font(colored in)- September, 2015)
 Arial (Font- Numbers)

 Layout:
 Make The Cut
 Miss Baker's Classroom SVG Kit
 School Rules digital collection by Lori Whitlock
 LD Charming Bold (Font-Middle)
 LD Chalky (Font-6th & 8th grade)
 LD Hand (Font- Journaling)




 

5 Cute Back to School Projects from SVGCuts

Do you have kids going back to school this week?  Do you know any teachers?  Why not try some of these cute back to school themed projects from SVGCuts.com?  You'll definitely have fun making them! 

I will list the projects from simplest to more difficult to create.  This is purely subjective, as some of you may find some things harder and others easier than I did.  Even when I had a bit of difficulty putting things together, I was happy with the outcome, so give them a try!  All of the links to the kits these projects are in will be listed at the end.

Every one can use a card, even if it isn't for back to school but to simply send a greeting to your child's teacher or someone you know who's a teacher.

This card was really quick to put together.  Just add a little embossing and it goes a long way!

Believe it or not, this backpack took less than five minutes to assemble!

My daughter suggested I needed something to go inside, and what did she suggest?  Books, of course!  I made some mini notebooks to stick inside, but you could fill it with any goodies for your child.

Here's a nice gift any teacher would appreciate!

This project was quite easy, but making the cards was a little time consuming, so don't start this if you're in a rush!  I made six notecards and six envelopes suitable for a teacher to send a note.  Add your teacher's name to the front and you have a super personalized gift!

Planning to give your teacher or student a little something that needs a box?  This one is perfect!

This adorable apple opens up so you can place a sweet gift inside!  Since this one is three dimensional, it takes a little more patience to put together.  It is still pretty easy, and the wow factor is awesome!  The main thing to remember is to take your time while gluing, holding each piece and letting the glue dry as you go.

Last but not least, another gift box any student or teacher would love.

Of all the projects listed here, the pencil box was the most difficult for me to put together.  Putting the wood part onto the pencil was a challenge, but overall I'm very happy with the outcome.  

I added a scalloped edge for a little more embellishment at the top since I didn't want to use the numbers that came with this file.  The black part of the apple on the front is cut from chalkboard paper which was perfect for writing the sentiment.

So, that's it!  Five really cute projects you'll have a blast making for a teacher or student!  Imagine how impressed the recipients will be!

Which projects are you making for back to school this year?  Please tell me about them!  If you have any questions about the projects listed here, ask in the comments and I'll do my best to answer!

SVG Kits Used: 
Back To School (Books on front of backpack)
Back to the Books (Backpack, Cards for teacher)
Miss Baker's Classroom (Apple)
School Days (Apple card, Pencil box)

Have a Crafty Day! 

*I'm an affiliate for SVGCuts because I love them and YOU will too!
 

Flip Calendar Day: August

Happy August!

An August calendar with a new twist, at least for me.  Since I'm in flip calendar mode, I thought I'd make one for my monthly calendar.  I used to print one 12"x12" calendar every month, but it seems like I'm always running out of ink in my wide format printer!

First, I created my calendar in Photoshop at 12"x12".  Once it was completed I reduced the size to 8"x8" which made it possible to print on my regular size printer.

Digital calendar

I then proceeded to make the flip calendar much the same way as the countdown calendar I made.  Since it's much bigger than that one, I had to use two 12"x12" sheets of cardstock and glue them together to form the base as in these pictures:

I scored each sheet at 8.75", folded them and glued one flap on top of the other.  Using my Cinch binding machine, I punched binding holes in the top.  I put patterned paper on the front and backside of the base.  To sturdy up the base I put additional pieces of the same colored cardstock on the interior of it.  Then I bound the top with O rings.  This is how it looks:

I used a removable 8"x8" page protector for the calendar, so I can take it off at any time, or add another if I wish.

I decided it need a little something more, so I added some embellishments and a removable journal card.  The journal card is held on with magnets as I did on my countdown calendar.

Magnets work like a charm!

I can add important dates on the journal card, or anything I want. When the month is over I'll stick it inside the page protector with the calendar.

Thanks for checking out my calendar!  I've made one more, but I'll take a break from flip calendars....for now.

Let me know if you plan to make one of these.  They really are a lot of fun! If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.

Items used:

Photoshop
Cinch Binding Machine
Zutter movable 8x8 page protector
.75" Zutter O Rings
DCWV Sweet Tangerine Stack
Bo Bunny Key Lime and Barefoot&Bliss Digital Collections
Milkshake Font by Laura Worthington

Have a Crafty Day!
 

Back 2 School is Coming! (Perpetual Countdown Flip Calendar Tutorial)

Already?

I know, I know.  The kids don't want to hear it (at least mine don't!).  It's that time again. Time to get back to the books and get your study on!  With this in mind, I thought I'd create a countdown, so the kids can mentally prepare and be ready bright and early on that first day.

This flip calendar is a spin off of the Christmas advent flip calendar I wrote about in this post.  The main difference between them is the size.  I chose to make this one much wider so it would stand up better.

Creating the base:

You'll need a 5"w x12"h piece of sturdy cardstock (I used Silhouette chipboard) for the base.  Score it at 5", 6" and 7".  Cut two pieces of patterned cardstock to 5"x5".  If you have a binding machine, you can punch your holes in the base and the patterned pieces, then glue the patterned pieces to the base.  You can always use binder rings to bind the top of your base if you don't have a binding machine.

Score at 5", 6", and 7"

Creating the numbers and rectangles:

Create 20 rectangles sized 2.25"wx2.875"h with numbers 0-9.  I used Photoshop to make a grid with guidelines for cutting.  Any software such as Silhouette Studio or Make The Cut can also accomplish this task.  When placing your numbers be sure to leave enough space at the top of your rectangles for binding holes.  I could not fit all of the numbers on an 8.5x11 page, so I put the nines on another sheet. 

Make sure to print and cut two sets and don't forget number 9!

Create your "weeks until" rectangle sized 4.75"wx1.75"h in the same way, then print and cut it out.

If you don't want to go through the process of creating a computer generated document, just cut your rectangles with your paper trimmer and add stickers for the letters and numbers.

Punch your binding holes into the numbered rectangles, making sure not to put too many at a time into your binding machine.  I found out the hard way that doing so will jam your machine!

You may want the ability to use days or months instead of weeks until an event.  To solve this, put a magnet on the front of your calendar and another on the backside of the front to hold the bottom piece in place.  Surprisingly, the magnets will hold it quite well.

Two magnets holding bottom piece in place.  Yeah, I know, terrible picture!

Since you may want this to be an all occasion countdown, cut a rectangle of chalkboard vinyl or dry erase material and put it on the "weeks until" rectangle (you can also laminate it) so you can write whatever occasion you want, then adhere it to the base using magnets or glue. 

How about Christmas?

Then again, you could make the entire rectangle from the chalkboard vinyl and forget about the magnets.  Yeah, that might be easier, huh?

Binding:

If you're using a binding machine, place the back on first, then the front, and finally the numbered rectangles as shown in the picture below.  Make sure your numbers are in the correct order, but even if they aren't, this is a perpetual calendar so it's not the end of the world.

  

The "ugly" side

Bind your O rings according to your machine's directions.  

Now it's time to enjoy your new countdown flip calendar!  But don't enjoy it too much, your kids won't appreciate it!

Here's how mine turned out:

Sorry to break it to you kiddos!

You could use this countdown for any occasion, not just for taunting your kids with a back to school reminder!

I had a lot of fun creating this back to school countdown, and I hope you enjoy making one too!  If you do, please leave a link in the comments.  I'd love to see it!  Got questions?  Ask in the comments and I'll do my best to answer.  Thanks for sticking with me and checking out my countdown calendar!

Items Used:
Photoshop
Silhouette Chipboard
Textured Basics Paper Pad by Craftsmith
Georgia Pacific White Cardstock
1/2" O Rings by Zutter
Cinch Binding Machine
Bebas Neue (font)

Have a Crafty Day!