October Afternoon

Thursday Sketch: To the left

Hey OA friends!  Its Laura Craigie here today with a sketch I made for you guys :)

I will admit I'm not the best at making sketches, but I sure do love working from them!  I tried to think of the products I would use as I created this sketch and incorporated those into it.  Lately I can't get enough of putting little strips of washi tape on the edges of my pages, and just had to include that on my sketch too.

I like to think about where the "weight" of my page is, and I often like to have it heavier on one side.  So one of the big parts of this sketch is weighing things a little more to the left.  There is still balance on the page though by creating a small bit of things in the upper right side, and adding the embellishment square on the right side too.   

Here is the page I made which uses lots of goodies from the Daily Flash Milk Money line, and I snuck a few brads, and a label sticker from Public Library too.  This page doesn't have a clear title and sometimes I'm okay with that, it's not always necessary to telling the story.

How awesome is that ledger washi tape though??  Love it!

 

I love creating little clusers of embellishments on my pages like I did here with the Tin Pin, and Designer  Brads. 

Well you guys, that's it for today! I hope you guys feel inspired to use my sketch and if you do please share your creations in the October Afternoon Flickr Gallery!  I'd love to see them :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

-Laura :)

Monday Challenge: DIY Patterned Paper

Is there such a thing as a happy Monday?  If there is, I wish you all one!  

I am happy to be here with a new challenge for you guys.  It's quite a simple one, and one I know I need to do more often.  My challenge is to make your own patterned paper with stamps.  I was looking through all my amazing October Afternoon stamp sets and settled on the All Boy Daily Flash set because it had so many different star stamps, that I knew I could repeat them for a great pattern.  

 Because I started with a large piece of my DIY patterned paper I had plenty left over from the layout to make a matching card.  I used all the same supplies I had out on my desk and made this card.

It might be hard to tell, but I coated the monogram B with Glossy Accents.  It's makes a fun glossy detail that you really helps the card to pop.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I had so much fun with these projects, and I hope you feel inspired to pull out your stamps and put them to work! :)

Please feel free to share you work in our Flickr gallery over here.

See you soon,

Laura

Thursday Sketch: Make It Your Own

I always look forward to the Thursday sketch posts here on the October Afternoon blog, because each new sketch reinforces the fact that there are so many ways to approach a layout. Today's post will most definitely demonstrate that, as Mou and I share two very different layouts based on a single sketch. 

As I created this sketch, I envisioned a layout with room for seven photos. I could see this working with a bunch of photos depicting a series or time lapse, with a week in review page, or, in the case of the layout that I created, with a school year in review page. 

Given the subject matter, it seemed only natural to reach for the Daily Flash Milk Money collection as I worked on this page. As much as I love the green houndstooth pattern of the Milk Money "Spelling" patterned paper, it was a bit too bold to use behind the various photos, so I softened it a bit by adding a sheet of vellum over it, and then layered additional papers over it. The resulting cluster of papers stands in for the rectangular background found in the sketch. I used some Daily Flash chipboard alphas and letter stickers for the title, and printed my journaling on some Snapshots Double Take label stickers. To complete the layout, I added a variety of accents peeking out from among the photos, including stickers, chipboard shapes, and washi tape. 

Mou joined me this week, and delighted me with her interpretation of the sketch. Her layout demonstrates that sketches can be used as springboards and do not need to be followed like maps. They provide a general sense of direction, but allow for exploration and experimentation. 

Here's what Mou had to say about her page:

I loved how the simplicity of Jill's sketch made it so versatile. I used a neutral cardstock as background and added some colors with Sprinklers from Witch Hazel collection and acrylic paint. Then I used bits and pieces of Daily Flash Snapshots and All Boy collections along with washi tapes from various October Afternoon collections. I created the title with different sets of Daily Flash and Mini Market alphabet stickers. I love how quickly this layout came together, thanks to an easy and fun sketch!

There you have it -- two different takes on one sketch. I'm sure that even more than two are possible. We'd love to see where this sketch takes you, so be sure to share your projects in the October Afternoon Flickr gallery. 

Thanks for visiting today! 

-- Jill 

Monday Challenge: Shaped Journaling or Sentiment

Hi OA Fans, Mou here with today's challenge: Shaped journaling or sentiment. Here's an example:

Image via Pinterest

And here's my take on the challenge

In keeping with my layout theme, I sketched a sail boat shape on cardstock and cut it out with scissors. You could use diecuts if you like. I created a background by applying some white gesso with palette knife to tone down the Me First 12 x 12 paper from Daily Flash All Boy collection. I also used bits and pieces from Postcard 12 x 12 paper and Journal Cards from Travel Girl Collection along with Daily Flash Days of Week washi tape and Daily Flash Travel phrase stamp.

Here are a couple of close up shots

 

Today I have Laura with me and take a look at her FUN boy card!

and a close up

Laura says: "I loved the idea of Mou's challenge with shaped journaling or sentiments!  I have a thing for stars and knew that was the shape I wanted to go with.  I tried it a few different ways, and in the end decided the best way to get a perfect star shape was to stamp the sentiment in rows, and then cover it with a paper that had a star cut out of it.  Now I realize that might be "cheating", but I think the point is that I never would have made this fun card without the challenge, and isn't that the whole point, to be inspired to create? :) I was definitely inspired, and I love this great boy card I was able to make using the great stamp set from Daily Flash All Boy."

Thanks Laura!

Journaling within a shape can be fun! I hope you'll try it :)

Thursday Sketch: Lots and Lots of White Space

Today's sketch features one large photo element, four large embellishments, and lots and lots of white space. I (Vivian) have long gravitated toward white space, as I love the clean and simple look it helps to create. This week's sketch lets you put the focus on one photo enlargement (or photo collage, if you wish) and also lets a few key embellishments shine:

Here's my take on the sketch, featuring Daily Flash Snaphots products:

Here, I used chipboard cameras for two of the large embellishments at the top, combining a tab sticker and a heart sticker for the third large embellishment. In lieu of the large embellishment at the bottom, I combined three different chipboard sayings. The three different-colored embellishments at the bottom help to balance the color at the top and center of the layout:

If you create anything inspired by this sketch, please share it with us in the October Afternoon Flickr gallery.

 

Tuesday Tutorial: A Quick & Easy Stamped Background

Hey everyone! Roree here.

I have something to share with you all today. I am NOT a stamper. There... I said it. It is not some startling revelation I have made, just a fact. The problem with that statement is I love stamps. I collect them with full intentions of learning how to stamp, trying cool stamping techniques, but I just never follow through. I have so many of OA's wonderful stamp sets, but sadly I rarely ever use them. But today I am taking a step towards my dream of someday adding stamping to my list of crafting credits and I am creating a card with a quick and easy stamped background. Will you come along on my journey?

First, my supplies:

I started off with the Dude stamp set from the Daily Flash All Boy collection, an ink pad, and a panel of paper.

OA has put together a wonderful arrangement of stamps, so why mess things up? I inked the stamps directly in the package.

Then, I placed the stamp set on my paper panel:

And because I collect stamps but not all of the supplies needed to use them, I had to search through my supplies for something large and flat to press the stamps as evenly as possible. The spacer block from my Cricut Cuttlebug machine worked quite nicely!

After removing the spacer block and the stamps, here is what I was left with:

A beautiful stamped background! Now I know... some of the images aren't solid, but I wasn't expecting perfection. I am just happy I got all of the images on the paper. And I do like the way it turned out. It's just a practice panel anyway. Practice makes perfect, right?

After several more attempts, I put my practice to the test and added the stamped images to some patterned paper, added some fun embellishments, and came up with this fun card:

I just love the stamped images against the patterned background. The pattern helps take the eye away from any slight imperfections in my stamping. So does the stitching.

And the awesome embellishments from Daily Flash dress the card up and hide some of the spots in the middle where I didn't get an even pressure.

All in all, I say it was a success. And it was pretty easy too. I think you will all be seeing a little more stamping on my projects in the future. **fingers crossed that I keep it up**

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Monday Challenge: Put a bow on it!

Happy Monday! :)

It's Laura Craigie here today and I have a new challenge for you, and that is to put a bow on it!  I have admitted before that I tend to be a girly girl, and I just can't seem to stop using bows lately.  The best part is that when it comes to bows, October Afternoon has you covered.  There are some great little bow stamps from the Silent Night line here, and here, also puffy bow stickers from Daily Flash Egg Nog, and of course the adorable bow paper and matching sticker in the Daily Flash Girl Talk line.  

So I made two cute cards to hopefully inspire you to put a bow on it!

For my first card I incorporated a paper bow, and mixed some older CakeWalk papers with the new Girl talk for a cheery little card.

 

My second card I cut out a paper bow from the "Gossip" patterned paper.  You sure could get a lot of bows from one sheet of paper if you cut them all out! :)

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you feel inspired to create a card or project with a bow on it!  If you do, please share them in the October Afternoon Flickr Gallery.

Have a happy Monday, and a great week!

Laura :)

Thursday Sketch

Hi everyone, Mou here with Vivian today with a sketch for you.

Here's my take 

I mixed my October Afternoon collections together: the background is The First Noel side B from Silent Night Collection. I trimmed the 12 x 12 paper down to 8.5 x 11. I cut narrow strips from Stamp Book and 12 x 12 paper from Travel Girl Collection and Midnight Clear Side B 12 x 12 paper from Silent Night collection. I used a couple of Memory Cards and several Double Take stickers from Daily Flash Girl Talk collection. The chipboard Hearts are also from the Daily Flash Stars & Hearts Flash Chip sheet.

And here's a close-up of my layout.

Now, let's take a look at Vivian's take on my sketch

Vivian says: " When I first saw Mou’s sketch, I immediately thought of the Daily Flash 6” x 8” paper packs. The larger 3” x 3” squares worked perfectly with the sketch on an 8.5” x 11” background. I used one of the patterned paper blocks as a photo mat and the other two as design elements, adding same-color die cuts with dimensional adhesive for a tone-one-tone look. I stuck pretty closely to the sketch, using the labels from the Daily Flash Double Take sticker sets as the bits peeking out from behind the larger blocks. I layered chipboard elements for added fun and dimension and to continue the tone-on-tone part of my design. I loved how easy this sketch was to work with!"

Thanks Vivian for the fun layout! 

Isn't it amazing,how different her layout looks from mine even though we both based them off the same sketch? How would you use my sketch to make your page? 

Tuesday Tutorial: Chipboard Grid

Hi everyone! Alex here bringing you this week's tutorial. Or should I say this week's fun idea? It's nothing advanced. Just a fun tip on how to use the negative part of the Daily Flash chipboard numbers.

If you take out all the numbers you will have this fun chipboard grid left. I just had to make something wiht it :-) I started by designing my "pattern" by moving around the numbers. After that, I traced one of the pieces on the back of the papers I wanted to use and cut them out leaving some space on the outside of the traced line. Before you start sticking them down, move them around until you find a design you are happy with and snap a picture.

Remove the protection sheet on the back and stick down your patterned pieces.

Voila! You have a lovely little patterned grid to use on your layout or card. Add a little extra adhesive on the back of the paper pieces before you put it down. 

I also covered the text on the top of the grid with a strip of paper. This is how my layout turned out.

I have used the lovely DF Girl Talk collection together with various Daily Flash elements. Like this tin pin from the Good Day set.

And my favorite chipboard hearts and arrows!

For my title, I have used the Strawberry Ice Cream and Mason Jar alphas.

I hope you enjoyed this little fun idea on how to make your own chipboard grid!

Have a happy Tuesday!

//Alex

Monday Challenge: 5/5!

It's May 5, and while some are celebrating Cinco de Mayo, and others are celebrating Children's Day, Roree and I have decided to celebrate the day with a 5/5 challenge. Here's the idea: of the five combinations below, choose two to create your own 5/5 project. 

- a list with five items

- five photos

- five accents from the same sheet or package

- five stamped images

- five different patterns

Roree opted to use five accents from the same sheet of Stars & Hearts chipboard along with five different patterned papers, including a few from the Daily Flash Girl Talk collection.

Don't you love the way she uses the hearts here to create petals? Roree has such a gift for figuring out creative ways to use items. She's so imaginative! 

As for me, I attempted the 5/5 challenge by using five photos, behind which I arranged a row of five different patterns. Since two of the patterned papers featured diagonal stripes, I decided to throw in an extra polka dotted pattern, ensuring that I had five distinct patterns on the layout. 

This layout was a kick to put together. Recently, my daughter and I walked in on the cat getting up to some mischief, and when she realized that she was being watched, she tried to play it off as if she was just going about her ordinary business, but that plan didn't quite work out for her. I had fun putting a "voice" to the photos with some help from a few die-cut Flash Blurbs speech bubbles. 

We'd love it if you would play along with this week's challenge! Be sure to link us up to your project in the comment thread below, or you can post your project in the October Afternoon Flickr gallery.  

Happy 5/5! 

-- Jill