TIPs: Start practicing these bows with satin ribbon (that’s the soft shiny ribbon). This ribbon is more pliable and results in good bows. Try not to go with a thin ribbon. This ribbon tends to be harder to manage. A good size is 1/2 inch wide.  My red ribbon is about 1/4 inch wide ribbon and the polka dot one is about 5/8 inch wide ribbon to give you an idea of sizing.

Let’s start with a simple flat back knot:

(The below photo is suppose to be #4)

The next bow I am going to show you how to make is just one step above a knot. It’s called a flat bow.  

NOTE: I used a red ribbon just to show some contrast on the steps, but you could use the same ribbon for all of the bow.

Now, for the most complicated bow for this tutorial, we will make a double loop bow (aka a 4 loop bow)

I omitted the step where you cut out the ribbon from the spool.  You will need to do this before you can proceed.

And here are the final versions of the bows added to some projects.  

I used the amazing kit called Country Love Kit from ETC by Danyale and the following Hybrid Items: 

• The Tag Bag Collection: Hybrid Templates and Cutting Files by Geeky Diva Designs 
• Paper Roses by The Cutting Files
• Carrot Box Template Set and Cutting Files by Kelleigh Ratzlaff

I wanted to make sure that I labeled it correctly because even though it obviously looks like dog food, sometimes we have dog treats that look like yummy human cookies.

It takes less than an hour to make something like this.  

Start by picking the container and a digital kit of your choice.

Supplies:

• Mellow Starter Kit by Basic Grey
• a container
• Red Sticky tape

Let’s get started!

Measure the circumference of the container allowing for some overlap to secure the label.  Play around with papers and elements to create a nice layout for the front of the container.  In this case, I made sure that I measured out about how much of the label would be visible when I put the container where it is stored and kept the main elements and label about that size.

When I add shadows on my hybrid projects, I usually make the shadows a bit bigger and deeper than normal so they look real when printed.  

Another tip is to use regular paper, not cardstock, for your container labels. Regular paper will conform to the shape of the container easier and it will stay in place with less effort.

Secure the label in place by applying red sticky tape to the back of the label and where the label overlaps before applying it to the container.

Every diet plan has some space to fuss around and reward yourself… find it!  I am not telling you to cheat on your diet, I am telling you to look a healthy prize for yourself, you deserve it! The diet plan I am doing counts carbs and sugars, it doesn’t mean I can’t eat them, just that I need to moderate my consumption of it.

My sister is doing this diet change with me, which helps (we even send each other pictures in our phones of our yummy intelligent meals).  She also told me about this amazing new improvement done with sugar-free candy, it is called ALCOHOL SUGARS! Finally sugar-free candy taste “real” and they satisfy my sweet tooth.

So, what did I do?  I made a REWARD bottle!  At night, I count my numbers and, if I am on track, I can have 2 or 3 pieces of delicious chocolate!  Doesn’t it sound good?

supplies:

• Bad Romance kit by Geek Chic Scraps

• empty bottle of gummy vitamins (these tend to be clean in color and the label peels of super easy)
• ribbon
• tape measure
• printer paper – in my opinion I like printer paper to use as bottle labels, it is just my preference.
• Your own personal reward!  (or how about making one for that special person? There is no better gift than showing you care and are proud of them)

This project was pretty easy, thanks to the awesome Bad Romance kit by Geek Chic Scraps.

1. The kit comes with a tear paper template which made it so much easier for me to work that idea into the design.  It also was just perfect for making a label after changing a few dimensions.
2. There is a set of doodles that I did not know about in that kit that help me out with the design of the label.  I love little surprises when I get kits.
3. The little stickers that come in the kit are just perfect to add to a bottle label.

For the top of the bottle I traced it to a bit of paper I printed from the Bad Romance kit by Geek Chic Scraps.  Glued to the lid and then wrapped some coordinated ribbon to it.  If my kit had gone with the original orange lid, I would have left it alone because I kind of like the look of the lid with all the “twist open” instructions.

Of course the last step was just to fill that cute bottle with my rewards SUGAR-FREE Dark Chocolate DOVES!

Now, go and make yourself a reward bottle because you are doing GREAT and you deserve it!

I decided to make some Three Kings Day goodies for the teachers that my daughter can take to them in the morning at drop-off time.

My little one has 2 teachers and I don’t know their taste very well, so I decided to go with chocolate covered cherries and a hot beverage mug.  Either the tea or coffee lover can use both of those gifts.  They are very simple to make and they look so fancy.  I hope you like them!

Supplies:

All is Bright by Jan Hosford

Truffle Box: Hybrid Template and Cutting Files by Geeky Diva Designs

A Fresh Start by Jennifer Fox and Amy Stoffel

The main attraction on these are the big flower or scalloped circle piece.  They are pretty simple to make and I will explain to you in a few steps how to make these.

Steps:

1. Start by deciding the size of your piece. Mine depended on the size of my chocolate box, so I did my chocolate box first.  I printed one of the wonderful pattern papers from “a fresh start” kit by Amy Stoffel and Jennifer fox.  Using my cricut machine and the SVG file that comes in the “truffle box” by Geeky Diva designs I cut out the box and put it together.  I measured the longest side of the box and that was the size for my scalloped piece.
2. I create a digital square bigger than the size of the circle I needed that had the images I wished to use, in this case from “All is bright” by Jan Hosford.  Next I printed the squares.  Using my cricut with the “center” option, I positioned my blade in what I thought was the middle of my image selected the desired size and cut (in this case a circle) and cut. This “center” option is perfect for this since it uses the position of your blade as a center point and cuts your cut around that center point.
3. The crepe paper scallops were simple to make.  Turn your image around and using either tape or glue, start folding crepe paper on the border of your piece.  The size of the folds don’t have to be consistent so don’t worry.  Go around the entire circle and then cut off the excess of crepe paper.  I used a dry brush technique with a couple different colors of metallic paint to add more interest to the crepe paper.  Then, using some scissors, cut out some scallops.
4. Turn your piece around and using the same folding technique, add some ribbon to cover the meeting ends of the cardstock and your crepe paper.  You can add bling, buttons, ribbon or any other 3D effects to the medallion.

Here is a look at the adorable pattern paper I picked for the box of chocolate.

I also made one more medallion for the front of the hot beverage mug I mentioned before.  I created a simple box and put the mug inside and then wrapped with tulle and added the medallion.

These little holders are so easier to make that you will have them done in no time. These could also be used for the upcoming Valentine’s Day to giveaway at school – you could even write some cute saying or sentiment on the holder.  Let your imagination go with these easy to make holders.  You could use a candy cane or pencils, just adjust the measurements to fit whatever goodies you want to add.

Supplies:

• Sweet & Crafty Scrapbook Pack by QuirkyTwerp - printed digital paper or cardstock (or pattern paper and cardstock too)
• Sweet & Crafty Scrapbook Pack by QuirkyTwerp - printed digital elements
• hole punch
• slit hole punch or Basic Grey Notch Tool
• lollipops
• double sided tape or glue
• foam tape (or dimensional)

Pattern: I made a very simple and easy pattern for you to follow. Please note that you should measure your lollipops before you start as some lollipops tend to have wrappers a tad bigger than this pattern size.  (adjust size accordingly)

This is a close up of the decorated front of the holder and the closure.  The strip of paper at the top is .5×3 inches, it added a nice contrast.  I added pop-dots on my medallions, but you could just add them as part of your paper and that simplifies your step of cutting the decoration and pop-dotting it.

I wanted to show you a close-up of how the lollipop goes in.  Note that my lollipop’s wrappings are a tad too big. I will trim as much of the wrapping as I can without exposing the lollipops, so this is why you need to measure those lollipops before you start.  

Enjoy!  Let me know if you have any questions regarding this mini tutorial.

My challenge to you is to create something that utilizes digital stamps.  You choose your project but there is a catch…. you need to use either a Halloween theme or halloween/Fall colors in it.  Which should be easy because The Digichick shop is blooming with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Fall kits.  Just in case you are still getting used to the new gorgeous look of the store, you can still search by THEME by going down in the Categories pull down menu under Seasonal and Theme kits.

The rules for this challenge:

1. You may use any designer’s goodies you wish to complete the challenge. We would love for you to show us what you do with the products by our designers at The Digichick Shop
2. Create a Halloween or fall-themed projects that HAS a digital stamp.
3. Your project must be new as of today, October 16, 2010.
4. Load your project to your gallery and then leave a link to your project in the comments section of this post.
5. The deadline for this challenge is Saturday, October 31, which gives you two weeks to create and share your project with us.
6. One lucky participant will be randomly selected from all entrants to win a gift certificate to Arty Pants Digital Stamps’ store!

My sample is using the most amazing fall color combination I’ve tried… I just love that bright yellow and blue I got, not my usual Fall color, but I love the contrast.

supplies:

• silly cow digital stamps by Arty Pants Digital Stamps
• Russet Riches kit by Danielle Engebretson
• other non digital items: ribbon, felt flower, radiant pearls, glimmerz, bling, blue paper.

And here are some of the digital stamps and doodles the store has to offer you. ALL IMAGES linked to the store.

Arty Pants Digital Stamps
Danielle Engebretson Designs

With these images, you get a .JPG, .PNG and a .PSD file. Why a .PSD file? A .PSD file contains different layers to make digital paper piecing a reality! No more printing the same image multiple times to make digital paper piecing, now you can make it in one single print out with the help of a clipping mask!

I have put together a video that explains you how to use these amazing images. (Please do excuse my voice, since I have a cold that doesn’t want to go away.)  I will also show you a few tricks on what to use to clip to your layers in your image.

I will be using Witch Girl by Arty Pants Digital Images and Confectionerie Scrap Pack by Quirky Twerp:

In this video, I will take you step by step on how to:

1. use only part of the image vs. using the entire image,
2. how to make clipping mask with paper and,
3. how to use elements for texture as a clipping mask.

If you have any questions please let me know in the comments.

I kept the template really simple, which means you can embellish and make it as complex as you wish or keep it simple the way it came.  When I created the template I thought about a card, but you will see that we got a brag book sample in the wonderful creative samples, so let your imagination go WILD!  Remember the good things about templates is that you can rotate, flip or modify templates to your likings, so have fun!

If you need help learning to use templates, click on the tab at the top or HERE.

Rules:

• Participants can use any designer goodies they want to complete the challenge, of course we would love if you show us  what you do with items from our designers at The Digichick Shop.
• You need to use the template below as inspiration (at least) for your project.
• The project can be ANYTHING Hybrid.
• You need to post a link to your project in the comment section of this post.
• You will have 2 weeks to complete the challenge.

And our prize is….  A $10 Gift Certificate good till the 3rd October 2010 to:

*** DOWNLOAD HERE ***

Samples:

Dalis used Rue Papers + Elements by Paislee Press (September Guest DT)

Cathy used Endless Summer Days by Jennifer Fox and Michelle Batton

Jacinda used Berry Preppy Kit by Wendy Page

Vivienne used Vincent’s Room by Viva Artistry

Sharyn used Endless Summer by the Digichick Designers, Lil Dude by Jennifer Fox, Nikki Epperson, and Melissa Bennett,  Karla’s Spring ’10 miniBOOK and Day box’s are from ABCs & 123s : the Elements by Sugarplum paperie

Joana used Blush Taffeta by Danielle Engrebetson.

Can’t wait to see what you make!

So, what’s better than be greeted at the door and bearing gifts? Nothing. You know that feeling you have when you get home and your dog or cat is waiting for you and greets you at the door? We are going to do that with our teachers, greet them with love and a little something more.

This amazing template set is a door hanger, is a door hanger pouch and it could even be a mini card holder. You could even make all 3 and put them together in a little basket!

Finished project:

Supplies:

• Cardstock by American Crafts;
• Tape by 3M;
• Ribbon;
• Glossy Accents by Rangers;
• Bling by Prima Marketing;
• Digital Cutter and Make the cut (optional)
• AND the following digital products: Door Hanger w/Pouch & Card Holder Template Set by Kelleigh Ratzlaff and Little Classroom Scrapbook Pack by Quirky Twerp.

I looked at the template and I knew I wanted to make it as big as I could. I wanted a big enough pouch to put goodies inside. My problem is that I have a printer that does NOT have a borderless printing option. I decided instead of printing my project to cut out the template using my digital cutter and some coordinating cardstock. This allowed me to cut one of the templates at 12 inches tall and proportional width and the second door hanger at 12 inches tall but stretching the width a bit more than the regular template had.

After cutting the templates and scoring the lines, I measured the size of the front of the door hanger and made squares (and rectangles) to cover the cardstock. I made my fronts using the amazing Little Classroom kit by Quirky Twerp.

Putting the little project together is really easy. I taped the front and the door hanger body to the cardstock template I had cut. I removed the circle opening for the door because

I wanted to try punching out a different shape, but you could cut out the circle shape in your digital cutter. Added some bling, some Gloosy accents and ribbon to finalize the look…. and of course all that it needs is to be filled up with some Caribou Coffee (our version of Starbucks) gift cards and some candy as energy busters and these little gifts will sure bring a smile to your teacher.

A little close up to show the bling on the blackboard, and on the school bus headlights. Not sure if you can see it, but there is some glossy look on the apple and crayons.

One last thing… did you guess what I used for the confetti filling on the door hangers? If you didn’t let me tell you I have been looking for a use for those empty rolls of ATG gun tape. After you finish a roll of ATG tape, you have yards of release paper that I usually throw out… NO MORE… ladies it is great confetti. Cut it in half, crumple it in your hands and you have kraft glossy confetti, it doesn’t get better than that! So now go and make something fun!

I liked embossing when you did it using a light table and a brass template.  I first started using a window or a glass table, because I didn’t have a light table, that is how much I liked embossing.

Through the years more and more tools have appear to make embossing easier and I most likely have them all, but I am not going to talk about them all.  I will talk about my favorite embossing tool which is my diecut machine.  I use a BIG SHOT by Sizzix (also known as BIG KICK) but the same outcome can be achieved in a Cuttlebug machine by Provocraft.  These machines make embossing a card an action of just seconds instead of minutes.

Embossing adds texture that can be subtle or GRAND.  In my sample I wanted something with weight and pizzaz!

Supplies:

1. Celebrate! (brite)July Guest: Chelle’s Creations
2. Rectangular Envelopes Set 1 – The Cutting Files
3. Doilies Shapes Set 1 – The Cutting Files
4. Embossing Folder – Cuttlebug
5. Big Brad – American Crafts
6. Big Shot – Sizzix

I embossed AND sanded the emboss areas to make the white from my paper come through. This specific embossing folder I am using also saves me from having to add an outside sentiment. How clever, huh?