This week I have three “dimensional” cards to share using the Farm Girl Collection. One of the things I love about the October Afternoon Collections is the versatility of their papers. The patterns and prints are always varied, sophisticated and offer opportunities for everyone, no matter what their style. I hope these cards demonstrate the versatility of this lovely collection.

“My Favorite” Side-Step Card

I have used my Cameo to create the base for this card using this file here – but there are several free templates on-line you can use to handcut very quickly. Once you have the base created, it is easy to add the decorative elements. I used dimensional dots to mount some pieces as this really gives the card a lift without adding too much bulk. Layer the pieces you want to build up some color and if you want the card to fit into a standard envelope – do not make any element stand higher than the tallest panel.

I love these little chickens and the strip of words from the Miscellany Pack adds a splash of color along the bottom.

“Just for You” Centre Step Card

Once again I have cut the base using my Cameo and this file – but again, great templates are available online. The key to making this style of clean and simple card is to try and get perfectly aligned layers. They don’t work well unless everything is perfectly lined up with even margins, and it’s simple to do. Just take your time and use a repositionable adhesive, so if it’s not quite right the first time – you get a second crack!

This type of all-purpose card is great to have on hand for when you need a card on short notice. The Farm Girl collection lends itself to making projects for those who appreciate hand-made items, cards and gifts.

“For my Friend” Swing Card

This is one of my absolute favorite style of cards – and it really impresses non-crafty people too! The cutting file for the base can be found here. This is more of a masculine style card which I made to showcase the versatility of the collection – which at first glance might not seem suitable to more grown-up projects – but the papers really are truly beautiful.

This little piece from the Chip ‘n Stick pack was my favorite – I just love the vintage style imagery of the tomatoes and they match the gorgeous stained woodgrain print so well.

All of these cards fold completely flat for easy mailing. They also will fit in a standard size envelope – and let’s face it – no-one like paying more for postage than they have to!

I hope you have enjoyed these projects – please post a comment with any questions and be sure to check back next week for some more ideas.     – Lowri

Good morning OA fans, Danni here with you today to share a tutorial to create a very fun sentiment on your cards or title for your layouts.  I love the look of the embroidered sentiments or titles and wanted to give it a go with a sticker or die-cut from the new Travel Girl line.  I have created a step by step picture tutorial for those of you who would like to give it a try, it's really fun and easy.

 Here is the card i created using my embroidered sentiment

merci card

 i needed a dog-sitting thank you card and this was a fun way to use this cute dog from the Travel Girl line

 and here is the step by step picture tutorial to create an embroidered sentiment

If you decide to give this technique a try we would upload your projects to our OA Flickr Gallery. We would love to see layout titles and card sentiments alike, the more the merrier.  Thanks for visiting with us today, we are excited to see YOUR take on it.

happy creating?

danni

Hi there OA fans! Alex here with a challenge for you.

I love patterned papers! I don't know if you can call it a techique, but what I love the most is to mix and match different patterns on my layouts. If I could, I would squeeze in an entire collection on one page! But don't be afraid; I won't challenge you to do that! My challenge for you is to use five or more patterned papers on one layout/card. Two sides of one paper counts as two different papers.

On this layout I have used six different patterns:

If you ask me, October Afternoon papers are made to mix and match like this. They are just perfect for all of us who love patterns. This lovely Midway collection is no exception!

I created my title using a card from the Miscellany package together with a word sticker and the colorful Midway alphas. 

I have used two different papers for my background and from the rest I cut the stripes. Using stripes is a great way to incorporate many different papers on one page. I let each stripe end with a ring of the same pattern. I made the rings using two different circle punches.

Joining me today is Roree. Just look at this stunning card she has made for us!

I love it down to the tiniest little piece of patterned paper she has used!

Now lets see what Roree has to say about her project.

I absolutely love patterned paper. It is the one scrapbooking product I collect (and hoard!) the most. So when Alex gave me the challenge to use five or more different patterned papers, I was ready! I created this fun card using the new Travel Girl collection. Because many of the paper sheets in this collection have strong patterns, I decided to cut four of the papers into strips. I layered the the Guide Book and Mix Tape patterned papers by creating a division between each with thin strips of the Directions patterned paper, blocking each pattern. Doing this, I get the full affect of each without one overwhelming any. For the last piece of paper, I cut out the word "explore" from the Journaling Cards sheet and created a tag. I finished the card with some white ribbon, a Tidbits label, and a couple of Shape Stickers.

Thank you so much, Roree! Your card is amazing!

I hope we have inspired you to take our challenge and start mixing and matching those gorgeous OA patterned papers. Don't forget to share your work with us and upload your projects to OA Flickr Gallery. Show us your love for patterns!

Here is the layout I created using the sketch.

I kept the 12x12 format but decided to use a 3x6.5 inch photo and tucked the 3 smaller photos on the sketch under my main photo just to make it more me. Of course once I did that the whole layout changed but that's the great thing about sketches you can make it your own.

And here is what Jill had to say...

October Afternoon is pleased to announce another new addition to its Design Team by welcoming Laura "Lulu" Craigie!

Laura resides on an island in Canada with her husband and three little boys. Her passion for photography and crafting led her to scrapbooking 8 years ago and she hasn't looked back since. When she's not scrapbooking, Laura can be found watching her boys play sports, puttering in her garden or out hunting for a Geocache.

Laura's work has been published in Scrapbook Trends, CARDS, Scrapbooks Etc. and Scrapbook & Cards Today magazines.  She has worked with several different companies and is currently a Garden Girl for Two Peas in a Bucket.

Below is an example of Laura's work. To see more and to get to know her better, visit her blog at www.paperlulu.com.

Watch for Laura's contributions to the October Afternoon blog beginning in June!

This week I have been busy using the Midway Collection. This fun and bright collection was perfect for creating this mini-album and I have used some very informal cell phone pictures taken on a day-trip to the carnival!

Midway Mini Album

I have created this album from scratch using my Cameo and two die-cutting files from Lori Whitlock (found here and here). The album can be created by hand (search online for accordion fold binding) but using a digital cutter makes light work of a lot of the measuring and all of the cutting!

I have chosen to make all of the inserts out of envelopes and tags – but the cutting files offer a number of options which are all included with the download. I also scaled down all the cutting files by 65% before I started as I wanted my album to be smaller. Just remember to scale all elements in the same proportion – otherwise they will not fit together.

The picture above shows a couple of details from the album cover. I cut a slit in the hat and slotted a couple of stickers into the cut. One of my favorite tips is to use talc to remove the stickiness from the back of stickers – which basically turns them into die cuts and lets you play around with placement without fearing you will stick them in the wrong place! The little camera button is my favorite embellishment of all – I could have used 10 of them in this project alone!

This album has a simple construction and is held together by the accordion fold spine. There is a detailed instructional video on YouTube which guides you through the process and each set of two fold is held together with eyelets (see Pictures 1 & 2 above). I chose to reinforce the covers with chipboard but you do not need this step. Each “page” is slotted into the spine and you can choose to glue them in. I found they were a tight fit without gluing and I like being able to pull the envelopes out to look at too, so mine were not glued in (see Pictures 3 & 4 above).

The picture above shows the envelopes and tag inserts in more detail.

The tags and envelopes are simply decorated with several elements from the collection including the Word Stickers, Brads and Tid Bits.

There are so many fabulous design details in these collections – I know that I am going to use every scrap of this one over a few years to come as my kids grow up!

Dad’s Treat Boxes

To demonstrate how versatile this collection is – I have used a couple of bits and pieces to make these fun Father’s Day treat boxes. They both contain a gift voucher to a wine boutique for my husband and Father-in-Law (hope they don’t read this blog!)

I have cut the boxes using my cuttlebug and this great Sizzix die and then used some of the Sew Fun Banners and Tin Pins to decorate. Fun, simple and a great way to use up some of your leftovers too.

I hope you have enjoyed these projects – please post a comment with any questions and be sure to check back next week for some more ideas. – Lowri

Hi everyone, Mou here with a spring project! The April showers have brought May flowers and new plants have sprouted. Around this time every year, we get ambitious and start our own garden at home. This year, I'm keeping a garden journal. I have always loved altering books with paints and gels. This time,however, I'm sticking mostly with papers to alter an old book I found at our library's used book shop.

I picked a book with a green cover for the garden theme. I cut out a seed packet from Farm Girl 12 x 12 Wheelbarrow paper and attached it at about the center to decorate the cover.

Next, I cut away some pages from the book. To do this, slide in a cutting mat below a stack of pages you want to remove. Leaving about half an inch from the binding, lay a ruler and cut with a sharp craft knife by carefully pulling toward yourself. Cut some windows the same way.

Of course I couldn't do away with paints altogether, so I splattered some on each page. Load your brush with a mix of paint and water, tap on the brush handle with a finger to splatter the paint, and let it dry.

Cut the rim around one of the seed packet images to frame the window. Add some banners from the Farm Girl Sew Fun Banners pack and stitch them in place. Use Woodland Park 12 x 12 alpha stickers to spell out a title for your journal. Attach a seed packet image to peek through the window.

Add some painted diecut tickets, patterned papers, chipboard accents, and washi tapes. Journal on the tickets.

Attach patterned papers and other accents to the page. Add photos. Journal.  

Add a coin envelope splattered with paint. Insert a tag in it to journal on. Use a phrase stamp to add words. 

Hope you enjoyed today's tutorial and would give altering books a try!

Good Morning OA Fans, Danni here with you today to share a card inspired by a current trend everywhere from fashion, to home decor to scrapbooking: ARROWS

  source for all arrow inspiration pictures:  interior collective

While arrows are not a brand NEW trend, they are a current trend and one I haven't played with a LOT. I love the arrows and how they look on projects, so I thought today I would challenge myself to use some arrows from the new Travel Girl line.

So, let's get trendy with ARROWS

I considered using my Cameo to cut arrows in various patterns and fun, but decided to showcase all the fun arrows in the Travel Girl line, from patterned paper, to tin pins, to fun die-cuts and elements.

We would love to see your take on this trend, whether you create your own arrows, use arrows as embellishments, create background paper, anything goes, let's see your take on this trend?

 And joining me today is Amy with her interpretation of getting trendy.  Amy chose to share her take on the Trend: Ombre

 WOW what a gorgeous result!  I know you'll be inspired to pull out your Travel Girl line and create a layout inspired by her beautiful design and colors!

And here's what Amy had to say in her words:

 We hope we've inspired you to take our challenge and pick a current trend that maybe you haven't tried in your work yet.  There are so many from color palettes, to embellies,  to design elements, so many fun ones popping up.  If you do take our challenge, please post your work in our OA Flickr Gallery so we can all be inspired! 

Thank you for joining us this Monday!

Happy creating?

Danni & Amy

Hey everyone!  Roree here with today's Thursday Sketch Challenge.

I created this sketch just playing around in Photoshop:

It is not quite to scale for a 12 x 12" layout or a square card, nor is it to scale for a 8 1/2 x 11" layout or A2 card. It sort of landed somewhere in between the two. I apologize for that. Hopefully you can look past that and use the overall design or elements as a jumping off point.

I decided to create a card using the sketch:

I stuck with the general design of the layout, only replacing the flowers and a label in place of the photos and using a white twill bow in place of the journaling.

As for products, I used patterned paper from the Travel Girl collection, Shape Stickers, Chip 'n Stick, and Tidbits from the Woodland Park collection, and Buttons, Designer Brads, Shape Stickers and Washi Tape from the Midway collection.

"I loved the staggered photo placement in Roree’s sketch and used that as the jumping off point for my layout. I used Daily Flash Snapshots here, which were perfect for this series of photos. Two of the photos are matted on colorful polaroid frames cut from the Compose patterned paper. The third photo is matted on the Say Cheese! Memory Card. I poked a hole in the card behind where my photo would go and then cut up towards the flash, trimming the zigzag edges so that I could tuck the corner of my photo under the flash. I titled and finished my layout with various other elements from the Snapshots line. "

I hope you enjoyed today's sketch and the samples Vivian and I created using it. If you get a chance to play along, don't forget to post your project in the OA Flickr group.  I can't wait to see how you interpret it.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Happy Tuesday!

Today's tutorial begins with a scrap stash excavation: dust off the tools you may have once used to set eyelets (remember those?). If you don't have these, then any kind of paper piercer (such as an awl) or small hole punch will work. I love the boldness of the letters on this sheet of Daily Flash Snapshots "Click!" patterned paper. The words and phrases can easily be substituted for letter stickers to create a title for a layout. I decided to add some whimsical flavor to the letters by punching holes in them. 

I positioned the setting base (a.k.a. the tool thingie with interchangable tips) over the base of the letter, and pounded it once with a hammer.I then kept punching the holes equidistantly, moving the setting base accordingly.

(On a side note, my neighbor has a bird who became entranced by the sound of my hammering, and each time I would pound the hammer, the bird would attempt to replicate the sound, squawking loudly. You can see a few imperfect areas below that were the result of me laughing so hard.) After punching holes in each letter of the word "photograph," I was ready to assemble my layout, with the punched title featured prominently, its colors similar to the those of the black and white photo of my husband. The word "photograph" wasn't just an arbitrary choice. It relates to other elements in the layout, as well, all of which were compiled from the Snapshots and Travel Girl lines. There are so many great photo-themed items in those collections! 

So how are you sprucing up your titles? I'd love to see your ideas!  Be sure to share them in the October Afternoon Flickr gallery. 

Thanks for stopping by today!