Out With the Old and In With the New!

The new year is here … and the Cookin' Up Creations Design Team says,

“OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW!”

Let's face it, we all have a scrappy stash …. things that we are hoarding, forgot we had, never got around to using … yeah, you know you have it, too! And if you're like us, you may have gotten new supplies and tools as gifts or maybe you hit the after-holiday sales; and we all know that Winter CHA is just around the corner, when the scrap companies will be releasing NEW designs!

The Design Team members will be using OUR stash all month to make way for all the new goodies that have come or are yet to come our way. You'll see how we are whittling away our stash in our Design Team reveals throughout January. And you can join us by using up your own stash in the Blue Plate Special challenges. We'll be focusing all month on ways to use what you have to make room for more .... well, stuff!

So … we know you have some stash (don't we all) and we know you are eyeing all those new supplies … so join us as we say “OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW!”

Reminder - Live Chat Tonight w/Patty Penn

from Mark's Finest Papers.

I just wanted to post a reminder about the live chat tonight at the Cookin' up Creations website with Patty Penn, Design Team Member for Mark's Finest papers.



Mark's Finest Papers is one of our very generous sponsors this month!! Please be sure to check out their amazing products. And if you get a chance, check out Patty's blog as well - Winnie's Whims & My Crafts and see some of the amazing creations that she has made using the Mark's Finest Papers products.

The chat is scheduled for tonight at 9:00pm EST December 29th, 2010!

We're looking forward to having Patty on the site with us and I hope that you'll join us for this awesome event.....now go, spread the word!

Chat Room: Just go to the homepage....www.cookinupcreations.com and at the top right hand corner you should see the word chat....click that button, wait for it to load, type in your name and enter.....come chat with us.

CUC's Project of the Week - 12/28 - Nordica!

It was very difficult to choose a layout, card, or project this week!  There were so many amazing things to choose from but I finally decided that since I personally love altered projects and because this is the gift giving time of year, that I would choose a project of the week.  I loved the idea of using stamps and tissue paper to alter candles and we had many beautiful ones created here but I loved the way Nordica took that Blue Plate Special Challenge to the next level and also created this clear topped box using our sponsor SEI's Kris Kringle line.  Very cute and a perfect hostess gift for the New Year holidays!

Design Team Reveal 12/28/10

Its the last week in December and time for the final reveal for the current design team. Of course they rocked it as usual. Check out the fabulous things they did with products from SEI, Ormolu and Mark's Finest Papers

Barb

I had so much run making this snow globe card, using Kris Kringle patterned papers and a felt snowflake from s.e.i. I love the patterns and colors in this cute paper line! I cut the penguin with the Cricut Jolly Holidays cartridge. The globe is packaging saved from a pack of buttons.

 

Cassy

I loved using these Ormolu spots to enhance some "love" cards. I used cardstock, paint, Reminisce glittered cardstock, and more. I also got a little inspiration from one of our BPS challenges to use some "stamp" edges to create a faux stamp to enhance a card! TFL!

 

Jo

When I started working on my layout this week, I decided I had so much fun product to work with that I completed two layouts!
My first layout started with some really cute numbered tags from Ormolu. I loved the reds and greens in the tags so I made them into Christmas presents and added a few more boxes, some buttons and of course a cute pic of my two dogs in front of the Christmas tree!

 My second Layout uses the SEI Moonrise line of papers, some vintage buttons, some old paper frames that I distressed and some lace to make a layout of my daughter being silly in the fall leaves. I love the metallic shimmer of these Moonrise papers so I wanted to use as many metal embellishments as I could. One of them is even a smashed bottle cap!

Nordica

For this week's reveal I got to create another "altered" item! Since I had so much fun making altered votive candles as Christmas gifts, I decided I needed some pretty boxes to put them in . I used the SEI Kris Kringle paper line along with some misc. black cardstock, misc. glittered ric-rac, misc. gems, and Saran wrap (for the window) to create this pretty gift box. The flower is punched out of the SEI paper also, with two sizes of Marvy flower punches. I love the colors in this paper line!!

Sandy

On this first card I was able to use all three of the monthly sponsors and I love the way all the products worked together.

 Products used: SEI Moorise papers - Ormolu tag and circle tag - Mark's Finest Paper stamps - AC pen - Unknown button

On this second card I focused on SEI Moonrise papers but did manage to use the Mark's Finest Paper stamp on the clear button (which is hard to see in the picture).

Sarah

Since I was so over Christmas projects this month I decided to use the SEI kris kringle papers along with the pretty tags from Ormolu to do a lovey layout. I also used the stamps from Mark's Finest Papers to make the "you crack me up" tag.

 

Shawna

For my altered item I did a t-shirt this week. I used the cute SEI iron ons. They are so fun and easy and my daughter just loved the outcome. I definitely recommend these. Such a great product!

 Tabitha

This week it was altering time again. I used the SEI Tumble Dry Dye and altered my flowers for this altered frame.

Tamara

I really love how this turned out. I love the clean space look. I used ormolu and just added gold buttons and mm rubons.

1-2-3-4-5 Santa Loves Me

Make-up Monday at CUC!

The presents are unwrapped, the fudge devoured, the needles on the tree - falling off (at least in my household), and the pictures have been taken.  Print those babies out and check out our Blue Plate Specials for some amazing inpsiration so you can get those pictures scrapped!

Our Technique Tuesday challenge is to use modge podge to create a festive decoration.  Here Barb used modge podge, some wooden shapes and beads, and some patterned paper to create a beautiful holiday trim.  Check it out!

For What's New Wednesday, Bev challenges us -Whether it' s old or new... it's time to dig out those stashed away scenery papers (or create from scratch) a Layout with a scene.  Here is her snowy example:

In our Transformation Thursday, Sarah encourages us to use up those scraps to create an altered gift bag. This doesn't have to be Christmas.  It could be birthday, Valentine's Day, any holiday.  Here is her beautiful example!

For our Focus Friday, Tabitha challenges us to use up those eyelets on a layout or project.  Here is Tabitha's cute layout!

Check out Nordica's cute challenge sketch from Liz Qualman for your holiday photos.  She also challenged us to use a Christmas song title on our layout.  This sketch is perfect for the holidays:

And here is her example:

And lastly for our Sunday Inspiration, Tamara encourages us to look to outside resources also for our inspiration.  She shares a link to Target for some really pretty bedding and uses the colors for her inspirational layout.  Here is the Target bedding:

And here is her layout:

So, use whatever inspires you, and create something pretty to share with others!

Sorry, I'm a day late posting this (I was out yesterday) but I'm guessing you all are busy too and may not even see this until next week, LOL! Holly Jolly from Designs by Krista was a darling kit to work with. I create layouts in 8 x 8, so I tend to only use one photo so it's easily visible, but occasionally I use 2 or 3, like in Happy Boy (below). Here's what I made with Holly Jolly ~ hope you like the pages. Merry Christmas!

Layout of the Week - 12/22/2010 Robin Wade

This week I decided to do something a little different and pick a layout from the Random Files section of the Gallery....in doing so, this layout by Robin just completely jumped right out at me...




It's absolutely stunning and I love everything about it! Makes me wish for a little bit of snow here in North Carolina as well. Heck, it's cold enough, and with weather this cold you'd expect snow....

Any hoo, Congratulations Robin on having the "Layout of the Week" this week at Cookin' up Creations!

Please make sure you visit Robin's Gallery and leave her some much deserved love there!!

Merry Christmas!!

Live Chat with Patty Penn from Mark's Finest Papers

I just wanted to let you all know about the live chat coming up the Wednesday after Christmas at the Cookin' up Creations website with Patty Penn, Design Team Member for Mark's Finest papers.



Mark's Finest Papers is one of our very generous sponsors this month!! Please be sure to check out their amazing products. And if you get a chance, check out Patty's blog as well - Winnie's Whims & My Crafts and see some of the amazing creations that she has made using the Mark's Finest Papers products.

The chat is scheduled for 9:00pm EST December 29th, 2010!

We're looking forward to having Patty on the site with us and I hope that you'll join us for this awesome event.....now go, spread the word!

Chat Room: Just go to the homepage....www.cookinupcreations.com and at the top right hand corner you should see the word chat....click that button, wait for it to load, type in your name and enter.....come chat with us.

DT Reveal Week#3 ~SEI, Mark's Finest, & Ormolu..

This week the team used an assortment of paper lines from S E I, tye-dyes & rub ons too, tags from Ormolu and even stamps from Mark's Finest Papers. If you haven't had a chance to check out the featured sponsors yet this month, please take an opportunity to do so today!!

And now for your Design Team Reveal

Barb

This week I had fun with the "Blobby Bobby" set from s.e.i.'s My Own Monster iron on transfers. These iron on kits include a monster body and lots of options to make your own creation. I bought a pink t-shirt and made a cute, girly monster for my nearly 3 year old granddaughter, Anna. Here's the completed shirt:




It just so happens that both my daughters and their families were here last night for our family Christmas. Anna broke a snow globe and completed covered her pretty dress in water and glitter, so she ended up wearing her monster shirt the rest of the evening. Doesn't it look fabulous with her new tutu?



Cassy

How did Tammy know that my daughter's favorite color was Lime Green? When I got the package for this month, Hannah was thrilled to see Lime Green SEI Tumble Dry! So with that, we did a group project. We bought a Max Ezra tank top and folded it vertically. Then we banded it and sprayed it with SEI Tumble Dry. It was so easy to use! Just spray, air dry, and then tumble dry for 20 minutes to set the green. I do wish that we would have sprayed the tank a little more thoroughly so it could soak in a bit but the end result was just cute. Then we added a Peace t-shirt transfer and she just LOVED it!



Jo

This week I had fun creating cards with products from our December Sponsors. My first card is actually a gift card holder. I used this cute tag from Ormolu to attach the gift card on and still have some room to write a little note too! I loved the colors on this tag!! Some Thickers and a metal flower brad completed the look.



My second card combined SEI Moonrise papers and some fun stamps from the "Our Side of the Pond" set from Mark's Finest Papers. There are some cute sayings and animals that come with this set of stamps! By using American Crafts stamp markers, I was able to add multiple colors to the stamp and still get all the details. I also added Tim Holtz brads and some twine.



Nordica

This week I created a 12x12 layout using the Kris Kringle paper line and die cut shape by SEI, two cute journaling tags from Ormolu, some Divine Twine, misc cardstock, and misc gems. I wanted to capture my boys decorating the "kid tree" together and the awesome sketch posted by our very own Sandy on 12/11/10 was perfect for my layout! TFL!



Sandy

This week I created an altered door hanger for my scrapbook room. I used the SEI Moonrise papers as well as the SEI Tumble Dye on some twill ribbon that I made into a rose. I also once again used the circle frame stamp by Mark's Finest Paper that is from the Flourishes and Frame set.



Other products used are:
Lil Davis Designs Twill ribbon - Gel-a-tins Stamp (S) - AC Ribbon - Anita's Acrylic paint - Staz-On ink - Wooden Door Hanger

Sarah

For my first card I used the fun and funky SEI Kris Kringle papers and embellishments for the christmas card. I also used sequin waste and red paint

For my 2nd card I paired the SEI papers with the stamps from Mark's Finest Papers. I also used a digi stamp and stickles.


Shawna

This week I created a 12x12 page with the SEI papers, stickers and diecuts. This line is perfect for fall and even everyday photos like these. I am planning on getting some more for Thanksgiving pages as well.



Tabitha

I created this layout using the Kris Kringle line by SEI. I also used lots of glitter on the chipboard snowflake, button and twine.



Tamara

This week I got to work with a stamp set from Mark's Finest papers

This first card I used the background stamp to give the crackle effect on my paper. I also used some fabric and embroidery thread, and brads.



On this next card I used the woven stamp that was in the same set.



Be sure to come check out the forum for great friends and great projects.

Make up Monday Dec 20th

What a great week of inspiration here at Cookin' up Creations! Hopefully everyone can try a few of these great challenges!

On Technique Tuesday, Tamara showed us a a way to use mesh as a mask to create different types of backgrounds. Here is her beautiful finished layout:


On What's New Wednesday, Penny reminded us to use our Magic Mess. She also showed us a great example of selective coloring and challenged us to use this technique:


On Transformation Thursday, Nordica showed us a neat technique to change ordinary candles into works of art.


On Friday, Cassy encouraged us to Focus on our leters. She gave several beautiful examples of hand cut and stamped letters to inspire us to do the same!

On Saturday, Shawna shared a sketch from Liz Chidester and gave us her take on this great layout!


On Sunday, Tabitha shared an inspirational tutorial and her example of a lovely Christmas Wreath!!



Have a great day and check out the Dessert Prize for this month's challenges!