Using stencils for your background

Hello everyone. Do you have that piece of patterned paper that just doesn't quite do it for you? Well here is an easy solution to give that paper an uplift. First the layout.

Below is the paper in its original form. It is a bit boring.

To complete the paper you will need distress ink, inking tool, and a stencil of your choice. I used a stencil from Prima. The ink is Tim Holtz Tea Dye. To start, place your stencil over the paper. With the inking tool begin by gently rubbing the ink onto the stencil from the outside in. You can also press the inking tool onto the various areas of the stencil to get even better coverage. Below shows the stenciled area on half of the paper so that you can see the difference.

When I had the complete paper stencilled, I added more ink around the outer edges of the paper. I also used an antique brown glitter spray that unforunately you cannot see in the picture.

To complete the layout I used a dark brown cardstock for the base. I then took a mustard coloured cardstock and cut it down to an 11" square. Around the outer edges I stamped a border stamp with a darker brown ink. I adhered this to the brown cardstock, centering. I then took another piece of patterned paper which is the same as the stencilled paper. I turned it over and used the other side. I cut it down to a 9 1/2" square. I then distressed the edges of the paper and using the same brown ink as with the stencil, I heavily inked the edges. This I adhered to the mustard cardstock, centering. The stenciled paper I cut down to an 8 1/2" square. It was necessary to re-ink some of the outer edge area. Again with the same border stamp and darker ink, I stamped around the outer edges. This was adhered to the centre of the second patterned paper.

I added the chipboard gate, antique leaves and flowers to the layout as shown. Here is a closeup of the bottom left corner.

And there you have it. Experiment and have some fun.

HAPPY SCRAPPING!!!!!!!

Online Freight Sale

We're having an

ONLINE HALF FREIGHT SALE!!!

 

Valid for all orders placed online until January 31st, 2013. Valid on all orders $30 or more before taxes and shipping costs.

Discount will be given when processed through our register in store. Freight discount won't appear when checking out online. We process all purchases manually. No payments are processed online.

Which of these lines do you choose from?

Thank you to everyone on the blog and on our Facebook feed for giving us feedback on our picks from CHA...when in doubt, always ask the customers and I did, and we're ready to go with more orders.  We'll be sending out a newsletter and blog post of the products we're getting in soon.  However, while checking everything out, I've noticed that there's a lot more companies jumping on that Project Life train and coming out with lines similar to Simple Stories with the album and all the different refills....flashcards, journaling cards etc. etc. etc. 

So which lines to carry when they all seem to be doing the same thing??  Check them out here and let us know which ones you think stand out the most...pros and cons. I don't think pricing is an issue as they're creating these lines to be quite competitive with what's already being offered.  Sometimes there's too much of one thing coming out in the new releases....is this one of those times? Not all the lines are carrying the same size albums.  Some might be interchangeable...some might not be.  I'm sure there's some I've missed and if I did, please include it in your comments and I'll seek out some more information to add on here.

Please note:: Some of these companies haven't updated their websites because CHA is ending today, but you might've seen advertising for them on other social media forums. I've provided images and links to the ones I know are available. The links are attached to the names of the companies.

We R Memory Keepers:: Re-branded all their products and have now included sleeves that are like envelopes. Their new line for these products is called "Albums Made Easy System". No images online yet :(

American Crafts:: Have teamed up with Becky Higgins and in April will be releasing box programs with flashcards, paper pads, albums in 12x12 and an odd size of approx. 9x11.  The photo sleeves that have the different quadrants, pockets and sizes like We R and Simple Stories have now.

Bo Bunny:: Misc Me line has binder albums that are 8x9 with calendar dividers, note cards, a variety of flashcard pieces with a variety of options.  They're starting off with 3 different themes and will likely expand in the future.

 

October Afternoon:: Also joining the club with "Daily Flash"...check it out on their blog.  They have a sneak peek of it up there now. 

Simple Stories:: Currently the leader in this area along with We R Memory Keepers. To expand on their Sn@p line they're adding higher quality albums in a variety of sizes.

Echo Park:: Their Photo Freedom line has been doing well and having their sleeves fit the We R binder albums has helped them sell their lines. However, the idea with all the different flashcards etc. puts them on this list as well.

So, which company do we think got it right? Each one has a uniqueness that represents their brand, but does it out-do what we already offer? (Currently we have Simple Stories and Echo Park, like everyone else :)))

Let us know what you think...leave a comment here or visit us on Facebook to see what everyone else is saying.  Thank you for you input.  I look forward to seeing what you're thinking :)

Jillibean Soup CHA New Products

Hello everyone!  Well, I'm busy writing orders and seeking some opinions.  Let me know what you think about these new lines from Jillibean this time around...is it something you would consider getting for your stash???

To see some more views you can check out their blog.  They've started to post photos from their booth with projects and ideas on how to use their newest products.

JILLIBEAN SOUP



BIG SALE THIS WEEKEND!!!

Come by the store or shop online for our

CHA SALE.....

 

25% off the entire store

 

....nothing held back...we need room for all the new products set to start hitting the shelves in a couple of weeks....don't wait, the early bird always gets the best selection :)

 

Sale starts Friday January 10th...ends Tuesday January 15th!

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year from all of us at The Bug!!!  We hope your holidays were filled with happiness and joy!!  We would like to thank you for being a part of our family here at the Bug by watching our blog, shopping online and in-store and continuously supporting us throughout 2012!! 

 

We're looking forward to 2013...new classes, events, tons of new products and inspiration.....we can't wait to start sharing it all with you!

 

Now that 2013 has started, that means CHA is right around the corner....literally....next week!!  We've started to see lots of sneak peeks but we're not allowed to show them online yet.  However, as we get them in that we can share, we'll post them here.  We'd love to hear from you!!  Let us know what you think!!

 

Up first~~Tim Holtz!! 

 

We love Tim Holtz! 

Check out what he has coming out this year on his blog...he's started he reveal for his lines from Ideology and Sizzix.  We're loving what we've seen so far...do you like it too?  Help us with knowing what you're looking for so we can know what to order....leave your comment here or LIKE us on Facebook to share your ideas with us there.

Check out Tims blog here for all the products...TIM HOLTZ BLOG