Monthly Archives: September 2011

Weekly Challenge : 3 Photos, 3 Patterned Papers, 3 Brads

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Today, we’re starting a new challenge series on the BG blog.  You’ve loved the sketch challenge and we’ve loved seeing your work so we thought we’d bookend our weekday posts!  Each Monday, you’ll continue to find our Basic Sketch series and now on Friday, you’ll find a Weekly Challenge.  A perfect way to jumpstart your creativity for the weekend, wouldn’t you agree?

THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE : Create a layout using 3 photos, 3 patterned papers and 3 brads.  You may use any additional product that you’d like in addition to those required to participate in the challenge.

This week, I’ve also asked three of our BasicGrey design team members to participate in the challenge :

Random Thoughts | Lady Grace Belarmino

SUPPLIES : [CURIO] CUR-3018 Chiffonier, CUR-3032 Muslin, CUR-3035 Cabriole, CUR-3038 Sticker Elements, [ORIGINS] ORG-2285 Pieces, [BITTERSWEET] MET-1554 Glazed Brads.

BG deign team member Lady Grace Belarmino found a clever way to inclue additional patterns other than the three spelled out in the challenge.  She says, “Using only 3 patterned papers in a layout was a huge challenge to me. I love layering, fussy cutting and creating my own embellishments with it. When the challenge was presented to me, I immediately thought of using patterned papers that has many elements on it that can be used as an embellishment. I immediately thought of the Chiffonier patterned paper from the Curio collection. That specific patterned paper inspired the creation of this layout. With the use of both sides of the 3 patterned papers, I was able to achieve a design that looked like I have used many patterned papers.”

Tail Feathers | Leanne Pearce

SUPPLIES : [INDIE BLOOM] INB-3411 Pico De Gall , INB-3401 Tres Chic , INB-3400 Panache , INB-3428 Accordian stickers , MET-3424 Stitched Brads , INB-3431 Petals , MET-3422 Brads and Buttons , INB-3419 Element Stickers, [OLIVER] VER-2719 Sticker Alphabet.

With a specific recipe of the weekly challenge to jumpstart her page, design team member Leanne Pearce created one of a kind embellishments for her layout.  Leanne shares, “I used mostly Indie Bloom products; I love all the finer details in all the embellishments that accompany the papers. They make finishing off your pages super easy. The canvas petals flowers I really loved but wanted to use them in a different way I cut them in half and they then became super cute Indie Bloom clouds.” 

That’s My Girl | Pamela Young

Supplies: [HELLO LUSCIOUS] HLO-3230 Inviting, [INDIE BLOOM] INB-3412 Mole, INB-3399 Abandon, MET-3423 Glazed Brads, [GREEN AT HEART] GAH-2154 Chip Stickers ABC’s, [PORCELAIN] POR-1628 Chip Stickers ABC’s.

Design team member Pamela Young gives us a bit more insight on how she created her layout for this week’s challenge.  “Before I started, I cut the butterfly out of my Inviting piece of paper, then I started layering pieces of the Mole and Abandon papers along with my photos.”  She says, “I added my title using two different alphabet sets.  After I laid it all out, I decided I wanted a piece of paper behind my Inviting sheet for a border but didn’t have a full sheet of paper left so I pieced parts of both the Mole and the Abandon papers behind my layout.  My brads are in the center of the right butterfly.”

We can’t wait to see what you create for this week’s challenge!  Leave a comment below with a link to your project and we’ll select one commenter at random to receive a collection pack of your choice. Comment must be posted by October 6, 2011 at 11:59p MST.

If you upload your layout to your blog or online gallery, be sure to also upload it to our new BasicGrey Flickr page so that other BG fans can find your work easily.

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CONGRATULATIONS to our winner selected at random from the comments we received by the noted deadline :
Mieko S          

Fun challenge! Stunning pages. I’ve uploaded my layout to Flickr gallery.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60498497@N08/6213007484/in/pool-1739804@N20/

One Collection, Two Projects : Origins

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My Boy | Marinette Lesne

Supplies : [ORIGINS] ORG-2251 Henna, ORG-2237 Relaxation, ORG-2249 Renew, ORG-2250 Sugar Pea, ORG-2239 Brown Sugar Scrub, ORG-2252 Mineral Soak, ORG-2235 Hot Stone, ORG-2282 Bloomers, ORG-2285 Pieces, MET-2275 Stitched Brads, BUT-2275 Assorted Buttons, ORG-2258 Sticker Mini Monograms.

Thank You For Your Generosity | Marinette Lesne

Supplies : [ORIGINS] ORG-2251 Henna, ORG-2252 Mineral Soak, ORG-2282 Bloomers, MET-2275 Stitched Brads, BUT-2275 Assorted Buttons, ORG-2285 Pieces, MET-2283 Decorative Clips.

If you’re anything like me, completing a scrapbook layout also means making a complete mess of your work space.  Since you already have coordinating product at the ready, why not make a second project?

Here, BG design team member Marinette Lesne first created her single page layout.  Before cleaning her work surface, she then took the same product and created her card.  Her creative process was simplified as she didn’t have to pick and choose which product to use as she already had perfectly coordinated product out and at the ready!

Do you take this approach when you creating?  Or will you in the future?

BasicGrey Altered : Photo Frame

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Altered Photo Frame | Tammy Tutterow

Supplies: [OUT OF PRINT] OUT-3324 Publication, OUT-3319 Newsflash, OUT-3335 Element Stickers, XHA-CL536 Sweet One 4×6 Stamps, [BLING IT] BLI-1707 Bling (Indigo/Sky), [NOTIONS] FAB-8010 Flutter Blossom, [TOOLS] Precision File Set.

Patterned paper and embellishments aren’t simply for scrapbook layouts or cards.  Instead, today design team member Tammy Tutterow shows how to put your BasicGrey product to work in your home decor with this photo frame.  With step-by-step photos and a play-by-play walk through, Tammy makes this project simple to complete – simply create and then sit back and enjoy the compliments!

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Have you ever had a favorite pattern paper that you loved and wanted to create with but couldn’t bear to hide away in a scrapbook album when your project was finished?  Or maybe had a favorite flower embellishment that was too lovely to not to enjoy seeing every day?  Or perhaps a favorite photo that makes you smile and melts your heart melt just a bit every time you see it?  Those feelings are some of the ones that feed my inspiration and love for making home décor pieces for my home using papercrafting products.

If you have never made a décor project, one of the easiest projects to start with is an embellished photo frame.  To make my project faster and easier, I like to use frames that are already painted.  If you check the clearance aisles at craft and hobby stores you can often find frames that are ready to use really inexpensively.  They may have a bit of damage to them, but since you will be re-facing them, the damage is unimportant.  If you are unable to locate pre-painted frames, most craft retailers carry wood frames that can be easily painted.

To begin, I try to match the frame color to the paper I plan to use.  Remove any decorations and hardware from the frame.  Apply a glue medium to the front of the frame and place your patterned paper over the frame.  Use a dry cloth to smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles.  After allowing the glue to set up for a few minutes, trim the excess paper away from the edges and openings with a craft knife on a craft mat.  Use a file (the black file in the BasicGrey File Set) to smooth the inner and outer edges.  Filing will create smooth edges that will give your frame a polished and finished look.  If you like a vintage look, brush Distress Ink on the inner and outer edges.

To create a unique embellishment for this frame, I stamped an image from the Sweet One stamp set on patterned paper.  After coloring and cutting out the image, I adhered it to a piece of scrap chipboard, which made it sturdy enough to use as a dimensional embellishment.

To create a base for the fabric flower, I added a chipboard backing to the large pink spoked flower from the 12×12 Element sticker sheet.  I added the red ring sticker (one of the nested stickers in the frame block) over the spoked flower and there adhered the fabric flower to the center.  I adhered the flower/sticker element to the lower right corner of the frame along with two other large round stickers.

Next, I layered two large blue paisley stickers with the flower and round stickers.

I added adhesive foam squares to the back of the back of the stamped embellishment and tucked it slightly into top edge of the flower.  As a final touch, I added blue Bling It stones to the blue paisley stickers.

Making décor pieces with favorite products adds a special and unique opne-of-a-kind touch to your home décor.  Additionally, embellished frames make great gifts that create a real lasting impact.

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This project is the perfect way to put your favorite collection to work or to create a one of a kind item from discarded scraps.  This frame would also be a quick and easy holiday gift!

It’s a…New Arrival From BasicGrey!

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Introducing a bouncing new product line from BasicGrey. That’s right, after making its
original mark on the paper and fabric industries, BasicGrey is taking its first steps into the exciting baby and child market, with nine impressive merchandise categories. This bundle of joyful gifts, home decor, and storage ideas will speak to anyone celebrating a new beginning, whether they’re welcoming a little one or simply updating the look of their home.

This precious debut includes:

Storage Barrels : Inspired by shipping containers, these industrial strength, food-grade quality, nesting storage containers are available in three sizes: small (11 1/4″ x 8 5/8″), medium (13 1/4″ x 13 3/16″), and large (16 1/8″ x 18 5/8″). Available in four popular designer collections (Hello Luscious, Black Tie, Vagabond, and Recess), there’s
something for every style and taste. Whether they’re used to hold blankets and toys in a nursery or crafting and office supplies, these chic, easy-to-clean containers will make getting organized a barrel of fun!

Art Cards & Custom Frames : A, B, C. . . decorating and learning are as easy as 1, 2, 3 with this A-for-adorable set of 26 alphabet art cards. For a unique gift or home decor piece, they can be displayed in one of our coordinating frames, available in white and gun metal.

Memory Game : Families will take a trip down memory lane with this coaster-style game of concentration.

Swaddling Cloths : Babies are the most precious of gifts and should be wrapped in nothing but the best, so we’re introducing 100% cotton muslin swaddling cloths. Sold in four unique sets of two, these gentle wraps are ideal for swaddling newborns, lining cribs, and more.

 

Chipboard Monograms : Much thought goes into the naming of babies, so it makes sense that new parents would value the attention given to baby-name decor. Our white chipboard monograms, which can be used to spell a name or special word, make adding a personalized touch to a nursery (or any room in the home) easy. Letters are sold individually and include the negative shape, offering added creative opportunity.

Gift Card Monsters : Giving a gift card just got a lot more fun with our mash of monster card holders. With four freaky friends to choose from, gift givers will find just the right friendly fright to contain their gift cards and folded bills.

Designer Frames : If there’s one thing new parents have in common, it’s a bundle of baby photos, so we’ve introduced a new line of designer frames to house those adorable images. The frames are available in 12″ x 12″ and 7″ x 7″, and come in many fabulous BasicGrey designs.

 

Iron-On Ties & Lace Collars : Making standout baby gifts just got easier with our whimsical and stylish iron-on designs.  With both neckties and lace patterns, fast and fresh baby (and kids) clothes are just the swipe of an iron away.

Canvas Art : Our large-scale canvas art, makes it easy to make a statement in a nursery or any other area of the home.  And with four collections to choose from (Black Tie, Hello Luscious, Recess, and Vagabond), there’s a style to fit any and all decorating tastes.

Click here to view our complete new Baby & Child catalog.

It’s not always easy taking those first baby steps as the new arrival, so we’d like to thank you for taking the time to get to know our products as we segue into this new and exciting market. We hope our bundle of new products and unique designs have showered you with inspiration as you celebrate your own new beginnings, whether you’re welcoming a little one into the world or simply updating your the look of your home.