Well, OK then!

I completely forgot to write my own blog post for Sketchy Thursdays yesterday despite having written the actual ST post, LOL!  Duuuuuuhhhh!!!!

I based this sketch on a layout I made for Scrapbook News and Review a few months ago. 

Love by Heidi Myers Supplies Cardstock: The Paper Company, Stampin’ Up!; Patterned Paper: EK Success; Glitter Paper: Colorbok; Staples: EK Success; Ink: Clearsnap; Punches: Fiskars, Stampin’ Up!; Adhesive: Scotch 3M; Other: brads, acrylic accent, rhinestones, crepe paper, thread

Originally published in Scrapbook News and Review January 2011

To apologize, how about I share the tutorial that accompanied this layout?  ;oD

Crepe Paper Pleat Tutorial

 

Pleats are a great way to add texture, softness or whimsy to a scrapbook layout or card. There are several ways to make a pleat and several materials you can use. Today I’m going to walk you through how to make one using crepe paper and your sewing machine.

 

Gather your supplies:

 

• Crepe paper roll
• Double-sided tape
• Thread
• Sewing Machine

 Step One: Determine where you want your pleat on your project and run a line of double-sided tape the entire length of your desired pleat.

 

 

Step Two: Beginning at one end of your tape line, press down the end of the crepe paper and then fold it back toward the end of the crepe paper. Lightly holding the fold, bring the crepe paper back toward the tape line sticking it down on the line to make a pleat as wide as you desire. Repeat until you’ve covered your entire tape line.

 

 

Step Three:  Stitch down the middle of your pleat with your sewing machine. I usually like to stitch three lines although the number is a matter of preference. Since I was making a playful layout I allowed my lines to weave and cross a bit, although again, this is a matter of preference.

 

Please note, your needle is going to get a bit sticky because you’ll be stitching through your tape line. No worries. When you’re finished just give it a quick swipe with a baby wipe or damp paper towel to clean off the build-up. (Make sure you’ve unplugged your machine first!)

 

 

 Step Four (optional):  If desired, rough up your pleat a bit by pinching and lifting the pleats.

 

This method for pleating works just as well with strips of fabric or patterned paper and ribbon. You can also attach your pleat to your project with glue, staples or brads. I have tried all these and for the smoothest, most even pleats I think the double-sided tape method works best.

 

Fun, eh?  Hope you enjoyed my pleating tutorial.

For more tutorials and articles in scrapbooking, cards, stamping and multi-media check out Scrapbook News and Review. 

Be sure to hop on over to Sketchy Thursdays to see what our Design Team made for your inspiration with the sketch.  Today is the last sketch for the current DT.  Let me know how much you've enjoyed their work!!!  Next Thursday 4/7 will be the debut of the next DT's work! 

Hope to see you playing along, too!  This week there's an AMAZING Scrapbook Circle kit up for grabs.  Trust me, it's gorgeous!

Hope you have a great weekend planned!  We're forecasted for 99 today.  I'm just not ready for that yet.  Oh, well.  The kids are excited that swim season is almost upon us. 

♥Heidi

Ain't Fall Grand?

I want to express gratitude to all the wonderful people who have accepted me and my often quirky crafting style onto their design teams. 

Today I'd like to express particular thanks to Tessa of Precocious Paper.  I am so lucky to be a part of her amazing team, getting to work with her gorgeous flowers, and I am especially lucky to have found such a wonderful friend!  My jaw drops at every one of her creations.  The girl just oozes talent and creativity and she just inspires me to no end.  And then to get to actually hold little works of Tessa art in my hands and create with them??!!!  I am soooo lucky!!!!

This particular layout features her Sewing Pattern Petals. 

Supplies Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye; Flowers: Precocious Paper; Stickers: Jenni Bowlin, Colorbok; Chipboard: Bo Bunny; Brads: My Mind's Eye; Twine: EK Success; Stamp: Autumn Leaves; Ink: Tsukineko; Pen: Zig

I wish you could see this layout IRL.  I used the My Mind's Eye flocked paper and it's just gorgeous.  So touchable!!!

This is a picture taken last month during our trip to California.  My husband's grandmother, 95-year-old Grandma Lu Lu, lives just minutes away from Disneyland so we made sure to visit her.  The last time she saw The Girl she was about a month old!!!  I am so happy that the kids have been able to meet some of their great grandparents during their lives. 

Another project I recently made with EIGHTEEN Precocious Paper flowers was a Fall Flower Tree for the Scrapbook News and Review Halloween newsletter.

Supplies Flowers: Precocious Paper; Paint: Plaid; Styrofoam: FloralCraft; Other: pins, ribbon

This bad boy features Black Lace and Felt Flowers,  Orange Bridal Satin Blossoms, Halloween Shimmer Rolled Fabric Flowers, and the Halloween Bouquet of Fabric and Felt Flowers.

If you missed the tutorial on how to make this little cutie in the Scrapbook News and Review newsletter, stay tuned to this blog this weekend for a rerun.  Click HERE to sign up for the SNR newsletters.  They're full of great eye candy and information.  Of course, IMHO you really should subscribe to the magazine, too.  Especially this month!  It's a special double issue with over 500 pieces of artwork, projects, tutorials, and articles!!!!

Be sure to check out the Precocious Paper blog for some additional and very gorgeous inspiration from other members of the DT!!

Hope you have fun plans for the weekend.  Tomorrow is The Girl's birthday party at one of those bouncy places.  I'm liking this having their birthday parties outside the home!!!!