Archives for October 2011

It’s been a busy month of October here on the Pebbles blog.  We’ve had some exciting announcements from our parent company American Crafts.  You can read all about them here and here. 

We’ve also been celebrating all things fall.  Our talented designers created lots of amazing fall themed projects including a fabulous tutorial by design team member Aphra Bolyer to create your own fall decor piece using Pebbles patterned papers and products.  Here’s a peek at the finished project …

Speaking of tutorials, design team member Elizabeth Carney also shared a fun tutorial to help you get ahead of the game in the Christmas gift giving department.  Our Welcome Christmas collection features traditional reds, green and browns, with the perfect mix of holiday icons.  Elizabeth’s gift bucket would be perfect for teachers, neighbors, friends, you name it!  See all of Elizabeth’s step by step instructions to create this fun and easy gift here.  

Finally we love our guest designers here at Pebbles.  This month the very talented Liana Suwandi and Tania Willis joined us to share their creativity.  Be sure to visit this post to see all of Liana’s amazing projects and this post to see Tania’s wonderful work.  

We have lots of amazing projects and posts lined up for the month of November so be sure to visit us daily to see what we’re up to here at Pebbles! 

For today’s edition of “Sketchy Thursday” I asked some of our design team members to create a project based on this fabulous sketch by Becky Fleck.

Design team member Eva Pizarro added a trendy banner to her layout using the Fresh Goods collection and shares a few tips as well.  Here’s what Eva had to say … “I love to use sketches for my layouts, specially sketches with lots of photos because I step out of my comfort zone (1 photo layouts). For this layout I decided to use the Fresh Goods collection, the colors are great and that kraft woodgrain paper is absolutely my favorite! I have two tips for this layout: 1) use foam dots for you banners, they will stand out more. and 2) if you don’t have a matching alpha use a light colored chipboard alphabet and change the color with your inkpad. If the ink doesn’t dry use some clear embossing powder on top.”

Pebbles supplies used:
Fresh Goods Flower Basket (751183)
Fresh Goods Signage (751186)
Fresh Goods Window Display (751185)
Fresh Goods Come Again (751191)
Fresh Goods Freshly Picked (751193)
Fresh Goods Dimensional Phrases & Icons Stickers (732076)
Fresh Goods Masking Tape Stickers (732078)
Fresh Goods Chips (744118)
Fresh Goods Clothes Pins Natural Wood (744278)
Welcome Christmas Candy Dots (744266)

Other supplies used:
Cardstock (American Crafts)
Thickers (American Crafts)
Ink (American Crafts)

Design team member Wendy Sue Anderson followed the sketch almost exactly while creating this wintery layout using a mix of Pebbles collections.  Here’s what Wendy Sue had to say … “I love using a sketch as a starting point for my layouts, but usually I end up with a layout that doesn’t resemble the sketch at all.  This time was different for me – I’m not sure it it was the photo size or what, but this sketch was truly a challenge for me.  In the end, my layout looks very much like the sketch it was based upon.  I had fun mixing and matching a few of the different Pebbles lines to add all of the colors I wanted to use for these snow photos of my little guys.”

Pebbles supplies used:
New Addition Baby of Mine (751157)
New Addition Toothpick Flags (747134)
New Addition Fabric Brads (747139)
New Addition Boy Ribbon (780011)
Fresh Goods Window Display (751189)
Fresh Goods Freshly Picked (751193)
Fresh Goods Signage (751186)
Fresh Goods Local Market (751190)
Fresh Goods Toothpick Flags (747153)
Fresh Goods Fabric Brads (744277)
Fresh Goods Vanilla Button Candy Dots (744276)
Welcome Christmas Sleigh Ride (751178)
Welcome Christmas Crimson ABC Stickers (732069)
Welcome Christmas Toothpick Flags (747146)
Welcome Christmas Fabric Brads (744267)

Other supplies used:
Cardstock (American Crafts)
Baker’s Twine (Divine Twine)
Rub Ons (American Crafts)
Ink (American Crafts)
Thread
Corner Rounder
Punch

And finally design team member Pearl Liu this fun and cheerful layout complete with a ticket border similar to that in the sketch.  Here’s what Pearl had to say … ” I loved this unique grid design that I’ve never considered before and was particularly pleased to go with a multi photo layout, allowing me to scrap my teenage kids with their church youth group here.  I usually follow any sketch closely at the beginning of my design – in this case I followed the placement of the photos and the ticket border across the top half of the layout. After that I made the sketch my own , using different types of Fresh Goods embellishments to create what I want in terms of a balanced design.”

Pebbles supplies used:
Fresh Goods Flower Basket  (751183)
Fresh Goods Window Display (751189)
Fresh Goods Rain Check  (751184)
Fresh Goods Dimensional Phrases & Icon Stickers (732076)
Fresh Goods Embossed Masking Tape Stickers (732078)
Fresh Goods Chipboard Flowers  (747155)
Fresh Goods Dimensional Butterflies  (747154)
Fresh Goods Toothpick Flags (747153)
Fresh Goods Chips  (744118)
Fresh Goods Clothes Pin Natural Wood  (747278)
Welcome Christmas Buttons (747147)

Other supplies used:
Cardstock (American Crafts)
Border Punch (Martha Stewart)
Tickets

Good morning everyone!  Today we are featuring cards created by some of our design team members using their favorite Pebbles products.

First up, I (Lynn Ghahary) created a pair of cards using the Fresh Goods collection and my stash of punches and die cut machine.  I had originally created the apple on my first card to go along with a school themed layout I created a few months back.  I didn’t end up using it but I loved it so much that I held onto it knowing it would come in handy in the future.  I decided it would be a great addition to a thank you card (perhaps for a favorite teacher).  The next card I created used the same stitching technique as the apple card but this time as the center of a sweet little flower.  Punching (or die cutting) several of the same shape and then stitching them down the center is one of my favorite techniques – and I use it often!  It adds such great depth and dimension to any project.  Give it a try!

Pebbles supplies used:
Fresh Goods Flower Basket (751183)
Fresh Goods Daily Special (751185)
Fresh Goods Window Display (751189)
Fresh Goods Local Market (751190)
Fresh Goods Freshly Picked (751193)
Welcome Christmas Santa’s List (751182)
Hello Duplicate Rub Ons (747115)
Thanks Duplicate Rub Ons (760241)


Other supplies used:
Cardstock (American Crafts)
Die Cut Machine (Silhouette, Sizzix Big Shot)
Dies (Stampin’ Up!)
Twine (Divine Twine)
Punches (EK Success)

Design team member Valerie Mangan also created a card set using the Fresh Goods collection.  Valerie focused on one of our newest embellishments to the Pebbles line of products – the Fresh Goods Dimensional Butterflies.  Here’s what Valerie had to say … “I took inspiration for this card set from the Fresh Goods Dimensional Butterflies and the clean, simple graphic patterns of the line itself. I framed simple die cut shapes from a mix of bright patterns for the focal point. I added some texture with embossed paper, machine stitching and dimensional elements, like the Chips, Butterflies and Button Candy Dots.”

Pebbles supplies used:
Fresh Goods Rain Check (751184)
Fresh Goods Flower Basket (751183)
Fresh Goods Front Desk (751187)
Fresh Goods Signage (751186)
Fresh Goods Sticky Notes (732080)
Fresh Goods Dimensional Butterflies (747154)
Fresh Goods Chips (744118)
Hello Duplicate Rub Ons (747115)
Thank You Duplicate Rub Ons (747116)
Yellow Button Candy Dots


Other supplies used:
Ribbon (American Crafts)

First things first, I have a winner to announce from last week’s “Guest Designer” giveaway. Thank you all so much for your comments. And the lucky winner is …

Congratulations! Please email your full name and mailing information (including your phone number for shipping purposes) to pebblesincdt(at)gmail(dot)com and put “Guest Designer Winner” in the subject line.

Did you know that Christmas is less than 60 days away?  If you’re like me and haven’t even started your Christmas shopping and list making than today’s How To Tuesday tutorial is for you.  Design team member Elizabeth Carney shows us how to create a fun and easy gift bucket using Pebbles Welcome Christmas collection.  It’s the perfect way to dress up those holiday gifts!  Here’s what Elizabeth had to say … “I love making Christmas gifts, but for my busy life they need to be something that is not only cute but easy! Using the fun Pebbles Welcome Christmas products and this tin made making neighbor gifts this year a snap!”

You will need the following supplies:  clear paint bucket, several sheets of patterned paper from the Welcome Christmas collection as well as Dimensional Stickers, Layered Embellishments, Ribbon, and Fabric Brads.

First, cut the Santa’s Workshop patterned paper into a long strip of 2 ¾ inches and then glue together. You need to use 2 strips due to the strips not fitting all the way around the tin. Cut excess papers off then glue to paint bucket.

Cut the Christmas Gift patterned paper into a long strip of 1 inch wide. Again you will need 2 strips. Glue strips together cutting excess papers off then glue to paint bucket.

Using the Welcome Christmas ribbon (or any trims you want) decorate around the tin.  Add a Welcome Christmas Layered Embellishments over the trims for a more dimensional effect.

Using Welcome Christmas Dimensional Stickers adhere a sentiment sticker towards the top of the tin.  Add Welcome Christmas Decorative Twist Ties towards the bottom of the tin.

Using a circle cutter cut a circle for the top of the lid. Add Welcome Christmas fabric brads adhered to top of lid.

Finally, using twine, add the metal can opener and tie to handle of tin.

Pebbles supplies used:
Welcome Christmas Santa’s Workshop (751176)
Welcome Christmas Christmas Gift (751173)
Welcome Christmas Dimensional Stickers (732071)
Welcome Christmas Layered Embellishments (747145)
Welcome Christmas Fabric Brads (744267)


Other supplies used:
Clear Paint Bucket
Twine
Candies

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend.  Today on the Pebbles blog we’ll be mixing and matching some Pebbles products to show you just how well our collections can be used with one another.

Design team member Melanie Blackburn focused on a primary color scheme on her adorable layout.  Here’s what Mel had to say … “I love to mix and match papers, embellishments and stickers – this assignment was perfect for me! I love the color combo of this layout on which included multiple collections. My goal was to show that themed collections do not need to be used only for themed layouts, they can be easily incorporated in everyday type of layouts. Hopefully this has inspired you to mix and match your collections. Happy Mixing!”

Pebbles supplies used:
New Addition Little Prince (751161)
Fresh Goods Signage (751186)
Fresh Goods Window Display (751189)
Fresh Goods Daily Special (751185)
Welcome Christmas Gingerbread House (751180)
Welcome Christmas Border Stickers (732072)
Fresh Goods Toothpick Flags (747153)
Fresh Goods Sticky Notes (732080)
With Love Mini ABC Stickers (732087)
With Love Gift Tags (747160)
Navy Blue Candy Dots (44209)

Other supplies used:
Cardstock (American Crafts)
Thickers (American Crafts)
Ribbon (American Crafts)
Punches (Marvy Uchida)
Spray Mist (Studio Calico)
Die Cut Machine and Cartridge (Making Memories)

Design team member Sarah Webb used several different Pebbles collections on this adorable layout.  Here’s what Sarah had to say … “I have been waiting (rather impatiently 😉 to have an excuse to use the lovely calendar paper from the New Addition collection.  A Mix and Match assignment was the perfect excuse. I spread out the lines and pulled out a fun combination of paper. The lines worked so well together!”

Pebbles supplies used:
New Addition Calendar (751139)
New Addition Little Hands (751144)
Welcome Christmas No Peeking (751172)
Fresh Goods Clothes Pins Natural Wood (744278)
Fresh Goods Chips (744118)
Fresh Goods Dimensional Butterflies (747154)
Fresh Goods Mini ABC stickers (732079)
Fresh Goods Sticky Notes (732080)
Fresh Goods Denim ABC stickers (732074)
Fresh Goods Rain Check (751184)
Fresh Goods Daily Special (751185)
With Love I Heart You (751203)
With Love Sweetheart (751204)
With Love Gift Tags (747160)
Hearts Candy Dots (744279)
Brown Button Candy Dots (747138)

Other supplies used:
Cardstock (American Crafts)
Baker’s Twine (The Twinery)
Stickers (October Afternoon)
Punch (Martha Stewart)