Pretty Paper Dress

Whoo hoo!  Here it is!  This project even exceeded my expectations and that hardly ever happens! Hehehe...  Howdy,  my fellow Creative Creatures!  I've been dying to get this project to you.  It did take me a little while to get it ALL finished, but it was well worth the wait.

I was going through Pinterest and found a lovely card where they used this template.  At least that is what I'm assuming.  I thought it was way too, big for a card and that's why it turned into an altered art project.

At the bottom of this blog entry there is a different link than the one I used, but I believe the template is the same.  The other site no longer has this template, but I did find you one by Googeling paper dress template.  If you want to use it on a card, then you will have to print it out a little smaller than its original form.  ALSO, the top of the dress is a too small/narrow to fit nicely with the waist of the skirt.  That is why the card had such a huge ribbon around the waist?!  You might be able to see how I remedied the problem as well.

This entry is not as much as a tutorial as it might be a warning when you use this template.  The things to watch out for.  Make sure you fold the pleats quite tight and I would definitely use a heavier paper.  Maybe even a paper that does not mark up too much when you make a hard crease.  You have to very strategically fold and press the skirt just right to fit with the top.  I would have just made another bigger top, but I didn't have any more of this paper and I thought the paper was dead on.  I just couldn't use another in its place.

I crafted another bottom of the top/bodice that was a bit wider.  At least as wide as the top of the skirt was, then used dimensional double sided tape and put the top on top of that. Hehehe...Confused yet?  Just keep it in mind when you are making yours.  The bottom of the top should be a bit wider at the bottom or make and paste your skirt then draw the top to fit.

Check out that hanger!  Don't ya just love it?!  It's just some craft wire that I fashioned into a hanger.  Then I took some of that furry looking yarn and wrapped it all around the wire.  I used tiny glue dots to keep it in place at the ends and it also keeps the hanger in place on the paper, too.  Then I just tied that little ribbon around the top.  Not only to cover up the wrapped wire at the top, but to mirror the ribbon on the dress.

This flower is hand made.  Actually, everything on this project is hand made.  Just take strips of paper, glue dot the ends shut, then put them in a nice circle.  I used small glue dots for this.  I tried putting them all together then taping it all in the middle, but it didn't come out perfect.  I used a lot of dots, but it worked the best for a perfect finish.  Then use a circle punch for the center.  (I used left over paper from the dress.)  Then I cut up a few strands of that pearl and also used glue dots to adhere them just slightly under the center of the flower.  Voila! (If I were to do this again, I would make another layer of petals that are just slightly smaller, for more depth.)

I put the pink ribbon over the dress with double sided tape and then used this tiny ribbon with a pearl on top of that for more pow.  Using more of the stranded pearl, I decorated around the neck of the dress. The little butterfly was just some nice paper I had.  I cut it out and used a thick foam dot to adhere.  It matches the shape of the bow and of course, its pink colour keeps everything coherent.

The other smaller flower is one of those cheapy paper flowers with a bit of pink, glitter glue put stealthily around the edges.  The flower insert is just a paper punch cut out with a pretty pink pearl to tie it all together.

How about the frame?  Left over papers and a few other scraps that matched are just rolled up and placed on double sided tape.  It's all on an old, repainted frame, but you could also use a box top.

I bought nothing to make this project.  Everything you see here was handmade with stuff I had laying around.  Scraps, ribbon from gifts, old frames...I do have a lot of stuff, though. Hehehe...

The bottom of the dress is one of my favorite parts about this project.  This awesome, fuzzy embellishment is from Webster's Pages.  Isn't it just gorgeous?!  You would not believe how I tied all of this together.  I had some papers and this template sitting on my desk.  I threw this card full of ribbon on top of it, by chance and it just jumped out at me.  Perfect!  Of course, I had to go a bit over the top and use this pearl all around the top of the edging.  Serious glam, here!

So, you choose the paper or papers you would like to design your dress in, along with embellishments for it. Then choose your background.  I chose a frame that was just slightly largely than my background.  I used two different colours for it. Then I left some room on my frame, around the edges, for the rolled up paper tubes.  However, it did look pretty darn good without the paper tubes.  I then made all of the embellishments that surround my dress because it looked a little lost on the background without them.  I found some matching ribbon for it to hang on the wall.  I used two different kinds and textures, then made a smaller bow of the stranded pearl.   (I actually acquired this ribbon at a party.  I asked the host if she would be discarding it and if so, could I have it. Hehehe...)

It took me a good full day to make everything, but I enjoyed every step.  If it were by popular request, I would make a tutorial with pictures and detailed step by step instructions for any or all parts.

Here's the link for that template/pattern:http://www.stardel.com/vv/2012/04/25/dress-template-by-card-crazy.  If you make one yourself, be sure to share your pictures!  Now get off your booty and get scrap'n!  Until  the next time!

Making It Happen

It's Sunday evening and my eyes feel like they are going to pop out of my head. Hehehe...

I had to squeeze in another blog.  I try for 2 a week and I can't believe it was that long ago that I did an entry.  Right now I have so much going on, it's tricky to choose what I want to blah, blah, blah about.

The three digital layouts below are from Bella Gypsy's, "Make It Happen" collection.  As you know B.G. is one of my favorite digital suppliers.  They are just so versatile.  The colours are fantastic.  They offer huge collaborations, kits and collections.  It's never the same.  They do whimsical, cutzie, sophisticated.  Always changing, just like me.  I like a little bit of everything.  For me, the bigger a kit, the better.  Especially, when I want to use an occasion or event where I took a lot of pictures.

For instance, the birth of my first child.  "Click, click, click".  Be sure to read the journaling on the last page.  Especially, if you are in the mood for a little giggle.  Awe, he's so tiny! Hehehe...

I was checking out Pinterest to do some scraplifitng.  I love the stuff on there, but when I finish my layout and then look at the place where I got my inspiration it hardly ever even resembles the original.  I guess that's a good thing.

I want to do an instructional tutorial for a download that I also got on Pinterest.  It's a template for a dress that you paper craft.  I finished it all up and it looks...AMAZING!  I can hardly believe that I made it.  It looks like something someone else with a lot talent made. Hehehe...

I am sure you will love it and have your own ideas on how to make it beautiful and yours.  Be ready for it, but until then, happy scrapping!

A Parisian Mini Scrapbook

Welcome to The Cherry On Top.

Whoo hoo! A super, happy Saturday to all of you out there in cyber land!

I have finally managed to get my butt up to the attic, where all of my actual, traditional, scrapbooking things are. Although, I'm in the middle of at least 3 different projects, this Paris one has been really fun so far, as expected. I'm working with just pink, black, white, off white, silver and gold.  

My pictures are pretty pathetic. Why on earth would we take such lame pictures of Paris?! A little too much Parisian beverages of the alcoholic sort perhaps? It wasn't the first time I've been there and I'm sure I'll go back again, but this trip was special. It was for my hubby's and my 5th year wedding anniversary. Although, that was 3 years ago. I still can't believe it was 3 years ago. It feels like just yesterday. We go out once a year for a weekend away from high maintenance children and it really is a needed experience.  

Paris is a super, super place to visit. The architecture is amazing and of course the food is good. We stayed at a lovely little hotel not far from the Arc De Triumph and did the typical touristy stuff. The Louvre had about a 4 hour wait to get in. So we ditched that. I had already been there and it was definitely an awesome museum. A must see.

So here is the start to my mini Paris Album. It has to be a mini because I only took a dozen pictures or so. A small sized book is best for that. This is a 6x6 and I have to say, totally lame for pages with dimension. Ugh! I will no longer buy these sleeve type books. They just can't handle any kind of thick embellishments and I love embellishments. I may try to figure out if I can somehow dissect it and make a different kind of book, but with the same covering. If it is a success, I will be sure to let you know how it goes. 

I really wish I had some kind of set or collection for this book, but alas, not. I just gathered my color pallet through all of my collections and made no special purchases. This means a lot of home made stuff and a dash of extra creativity.

OK, enough blah, blah, blah... Enjoy the pictures. I will be posting the other pictures as I get them finished.

My rather mundane attempt at layering. Not sure if it is lack of skill as it is a lack of cash for an abundance of coordinating goodies. All the same, we make do with what we have. Above is an upcycled clothing tag.

The above page is pretty cool. I'm digging on that transparent tag. I've always loved black and white. It seems like a timeless classic. Does that make any sense? Hehehe... I rounded the corners on some layers and just went a bit nuts with the bellies all in black and white.

The Notre Dame and another dame. Hehehe...

There you have the beginnings of a mini, filled with terrible pictures and much needed bling and glitter, for it is Paris.

I have another huge project in the works, but I don't want to spoil the surprise. So, I'll just be showing little glimpses of the work in progress.

Have a restful and wonderful weekend!

Inexpensive Yet Thoughtful Teacher Appreciation Idea and a Free Template

Welcome to The Cherry On Top, Creative Crafters.

I scoured the web (Are they even calling it that any more?) for teacher appreciation ideas.  There a lot of good ones out there, but nothing I wanted to do personally. So, as usual, I made up my own thing. I have boys that are not exactly the easiest of children and I'm sure their teachers have to put forth an extra effort on them. So, I wanted to do something a little special. I'm fortunate enough to have my oldest child attend a small, neighborhood school. I made a plate full of cookies for all of the teachers in his school. I put them in the teachers lounge for all to enjoy. Chocolate chip cookies are kind of a delicacy, here in Belgium. Especially, home made ones, and I made his teacher one of those french fry boxes with her own, extra large cookies in it. Below, is the tag I used on my delivery basket.  (Up-cycled clothing tag)

 My recipe is that of Better Homes and Gardens.
Too bad the day I chose to bake was one of summer's hottest. Man, my kitchen was hot!
The chocolate actually started to melt in the car on the way to both schools. I  never saw that coming.

Awe!  I dropped one of the cookies. I guess I'll have to just throw it away. As if?! Hehehe...
These lucky teachers actually received cookies that were still a little warm.

Here are the french fry boxes. The template can be found on www.tipjunkie.com. My staple for creative inspiration. As you can see, I used some very old scrapbooking paper that has been sitting around for over a decade. The embellishments definitely made a difference. Bright and fun and calm and cool. Excellent for Elementary Ed.

My youngest son has Autism. He goes to a special school where he has at least 6 different, specialty teachers. That's a lot of gifts to make! That's also why I chose something like this.

A basket full of goodies for some well deserving teachers. I made two plates full with about 50 cookies on each plate and then the super large cookies for 8 teachers. It took me all morning to bake the cookies and make the boxes and I probably spent around $10. Not bad for the buck, eh?!

That's one simple way to thank your teachers. Let me know any other ideas you've got.

Thanks for stopping by The Cherry.

A Zoo-per Mini Album Scrapbooking in a Shaped Book with a Zoo Theme Tips and Tricks

Welcome Savvy Scrappers!

I purchased this Bo Bunny shaped book a little while ago because I just had to have it. It's perfect for my numerous zoo trip pictures. I actually had to add a few inserts so that I could put a few more pictures in it. I thought the colors were really nice, natural, soft. So, I kept with that feel when I chose my embellishments.

I made, what I thought was a mistake throughout the book. Gluing everything right side up when I thought it was suppose to be upside down. However, when you stand the book up and flip the pages, it all comes out great. Wheew! Hehehe...

Tip: Burlap is great for a natural appeal and also a fantastic way to recycle an old potato bag.  I'm so pleased to read how many readers also like economy scrapping. Many of the embellishments are from Karen Foster. They matched perfectly.

I have to toot my own horn a little when it comes to the flowers above. Hehehe... I was trying to use paper flowers and fabric flowers, but none of it looked right. It seemed out of balance. Then I started toying with this natural string and there they were! I used a 3D Dot to keep it all together. It was very easy to construct. Pull colors from your photos and use them on your embellishments for cohesion.

This page was done in a snap. The only thing I did was add the photos, dark brown ribbon, Safari sign, giraffe patterned circles and zebra. Done! Scrapbooking in small albums goes really fast and ya don't have to use a lot of materials.

I have to admit, that I found the shaped pages really tricky to work with. There is not a lot of space, but it forces you to think more creatively. I chose gold as an accent color to add pop and warmth. This page is still growing on me.

My favorite part about this page are the colors. Green, black and white. I never thought of that combination, but it really works here. Animals prints are ideal for zoo themed scrapbooks, right?

Another challenging shape to work with. If I had just the right giraffe picture, there may have been no challenge what so ever. Hehehe...

Tip: Circles are perfect when space is of the essence.  I still can't believe I got 4 pictures on this very small page. 

Ah, back to square! Now, I can go crazy again. Well, this is not such a crazy page, but more simple. I think this elephant must have modeled for Karen Foster. Don't you? Hehehe...

This hippo page was so cute, I didn't want to cover it.  It was also a more difficult page to layout. If I had some smaller pictures it may have been better. How do you like those 3D eyes? Just a little more fun added to an already great book.

1,2,3 and finished! Tip: A little backing on part of the picture help make it stand out without taking up all of that precious space. Not a lot of room for embellishments.  So, I went tall and skinny and small and round for balance.

Above is one of my own pages.  I traced around the cover of the book and added a little more color around the edges. Keeping with the biological feel with natural twine and grass like, fun fibers.

The page below says it all, A Good Time. Belleware was a beautiful park/zoo. Liam cried for 30 minutes at the top of his lungs, on the way home. "Ik wil niet naar huis! Ik wil niet naar huis!  Ik wil niet naar huis!"Hehehe...In a flash, he was a sleep and when he woke up, he continued the shouting, "Ik wil niet naar huis!" Hehehe... (I don't want to go home.) 15 years later and we still laugh like hell at that story.

I made a glittered edge and glittered around the holes for some much needed bling. What appears to be grass is actually part of a picture of a tree that I cut out with small scissors and turned upside down. It now serves as a pocket for my very large mascot shaped tag with more fun fibers.

That's a wrap for today's blog. I hope you all have a great week and may you create something beautiful if not with paper then perhaps with words. 

Thanks for your visit. Make sure ya do it, again.

Happy scrapping!

Digital Scrapbooking Summer BBQ's Page Inspiration

Welcome to The Cherry On Top.

Summer is here my super scrappers!  The smell of BBQ is making me drool. So, is this awesome collection by A-Manda Creation. This is an enormous collection that I bought from the Digital Scrapbooking Studio. I could not believe all of the goodies that came with this kit. I've been using it like crazy, all across my scrappy endeavors. I can't take all of the credit for some of the clusters you will find here, because they came in the kit. They are really amazing and also an excellent source of ideas for my own clustering projects. This first page is by far, my favorite page. It might even be once of my favorite digital pages over all. I feel almost guilty telling you that it took me 20 minutes to make this.

This whole white space thing is a real catcher. I love it and hate it. Hehehe.... Sometimes it can look just perfect and other times...Well, it just feels like there is something missing. I would use awesome photographs if I were going to leave a lot of white space or have kick'n embellishments, like the ones in this kit.

I'm not sure if it's from the time I spent as an editor of a newspaper, but white space just really jumps out at me. I'm growing to like it more and more, but it was tough in the beginning. I plan on using this technique more and perfecting it.

These bright colors are screaming summer fun. The variety is almost unfathomable.  It just keeps going and going. Including alphabets, titles, cluster frames, word art, quick pages, design papers, a brag book and probably hundreds of embellishments....all I did below was insert a background and the pictures. Doesn't get much easier than that, does it?!

Above and below are two different kinds of layouts.  They were made specifically for my Facebook Page, The-Cherry-On-Top.  This is one new trend that I am totally into.  It's kind of surprising because I usually find it a lot more challenging to make something fantastic when there is a limited amount of space.  Shaped books can totally make me crazy. Maybe it's because I always try to get too many pictures on one page?

It's a wrap!  Another blog to add to the archives.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Come back again or visit me on FB.  

Just Be Your Crazy Ole Self Because it Really Doesn't Matter

Welcome to The Cherry On Top!

Just a bit of banter, realization and sharing in hopes of bringing you up a notch, making you smile and seeing your own self worth.

I get a giggle out of the little cartooned captions that are going around Facebook lately. I can relate to a lot of them and often laugh out loud at a good few, too. Those helped inspire this poster I made.  

As we grow older, we learn through our life experiences. One very important lesson I learned a little late was just be yourself no matter who scoffs at you. My mother tried to warn me that these people are, "just jealous"or perhaps envious. I suppose, back then I didn't have enough confidence in myself to believe it.

When I look back at all the opportunities I turned down because I had little trust in the actual good that some people attempted and so little faith in myself, it saddens me to a degree, but also strengthens me now. Fortifying a belief that one must do what one must do even it is a bit odd, different, special or above ordinary. People out there are jealous of those who aspire to their dreams. Envy should not make one put another down only to try to lift themselves. Envy should encourage a person to make their own dreams come true.

I also learned that no matter how much we hold back or shake our heads in agreement although we do not agree. It rarely benefits us and often does not even improve relations anyway. We feel like we are holding back so that people will not look at us funny or judge us, but won't these kinds of people find something anyway even when we are trying to satisfy them?

They might even be our family or people we consider to be our good friends. If they really are that, then we should not change what we believe or do things that make us uncomfortable for their benefit.

Just be...yourself.