3 Printable Project Sheets & Brand New Inspiration with French Country By Maggi Harding

Hello, G45ers!

Welcome to another special day here on the Graphic 45 blog. Today we are excited to share the news that Maggi Harding will be completing her tenure on the design team after two amazing years and stepping directly into a new role with us as Special Project Designer. Maggi has been so generous to share her enormous talent with us over these last few years. From layouts to minis, cards, altered art projects, and more, her diverse skill set has been a valuable asset and a constantly renewable source of inspiration for us and hopefully you readers too. In her new role, she will develop workshops for us to use and share all over the world, and she will be in charge of our always popular monthly class series. In honor of this announcement, we are sharing a brand new French Country - DCE cabinet that Maggie has created, along with three of her greatest hit project sheets from her last year as a design team member. 

 

French Country Cabinet

By Maggi Harding

 

"I am so excited that French Country is coming back as a Deluxe Collector's Edition!  I had this dreary black cabinet hanging around and decided it would be perfect to repurpose using the French Country DCE.  I love how it's now a cheerful piece covered with sunflowers.

 

I wanted it to have a distressed vintage look and to achieve that, I first painted the wood that would show with vintage white paint.  Then I covered those surfaces with Crackle Accents and finally, I rubbed Distress ink into the cracks to give it an aged look.  After finishing the wood, I used the beautiful blues from the collection and chose the sunflower paper, Abundance, as my focal paper.  I love the imagery on this paper.

 

The flowers I used at the top are a combination of some older Prima vines and vines that I made.  Here's a tutorial I did some time ago to make these vines." ~Maggi Harding

 

Link to YouTube video to make sunflower vines

 

Tips:

1. Use matte medium to adhere and cover your papers.  You'll get a really nice smooth finish and your paper will be protected from snags and scratches.
   
   
   
2. You can give your project a different look by changing out the hardware.  My cabinet had wooden painted knobs on it.  I changed those out for glass knobs that looked so much more vintage.

 

Before & After 

 

 

 

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• French Country - Deluxe Collector's Edition (NOW IN STORES!)
• Provance
• Abundance
• Deja Vu
• Grandeur

 

Other Supplies:

• Prima Mountain Lily Vine
• Knobs from Hobby Lobby
• Distress Ink - Gathered Twigs
• Vintage white acrylic paint
• Crackle Accents
• Spellbinders Nested Leaves Die
• Spellbinders Blossom 2 Die
• Microbeads
• Tiny daisy-like flower punch
• Wire
• Blossom 2 Die

Here are three excellent project sheets by Maggi.  Be sure to print these out and try them at home.  

Safari Adventure Album

Printable Safari Adventure Album Project Sheet

 

 

Off to the Races Card & Envelope Set

Printable Card & Envelope Set Project Sheet

 

#SimplyG45 Cafe Parisian Wallet Mini Album

Printable Mini Album Project Sheet

 

 

This week's prize package includes a Midnight Masquerade Patterns & Solids 12x12 paper pad, an 8x8 paper pad, decorative chipboard, die-cut tags and pockets, and a Square Ivory Tag Album, a $50+ value!  To enter to win, just comment here on the blog and/or on Facebook each day.  We will announce one randomly chosen the winner on this Friday's blog. 

 

Thank you for being a part of this exciting announcement and the Graphic 45 family. We hope you are as excited as us about this next step for Maggi. We'd love to hear about some of your favorite creations of hers from the last two years in the comments below, and we are as excited as you to see what she comes up with next. We hope to see you here again tomorrow and be sure to keep an eye out for Maggi's first monthly class creation, coming Summer 2017. 

Happy Papercrafting!

Visit your LSS or order online today! Looking for Graphic 45 products?  Store Locator 

Joanne Bain's Farewell: A Father's Day Card Tutorial From the Master of Detail and Design

Hello, G45ers!

Thank you for joining us today for an extra special farewell edition of our blog.  Today we honor Joanne Bain for sharing her incredible talents and passion for fussy cutting with us these past two years! Joanne has an eye for style, composition, and layering beautifully fussy cut images from our pattern papers to create stunning layouts, cards, and mini albums.  In this post, we will share a brand new Father's Day card Snapguide Tutorial, as well as five of our all-time favorite projects, ranging from a layout to a mushroom house. But first a little about the artist in the spotlight, so pull up a seat and get ready for a fantastic feature.  

 

"I am Joanne Bain from Queensland, Australia.

I am a very proud mother of 2 and I am happily married to my best friend and have been for 23 years. He is the best husband a girl could ask for and is very supportive of my paper crafting. Most of my inspiration for this craft comes from my wonderful family and friends and also the beautiful array of products that are now available. When I am not scrapbooking, I am kept busy with all activities involving raising a happy family and I like dabbling around with photography which is perfect as I always have something to scrap. 

We live in sunny Queensland Australia along with our 2 dogs and more pet birds then I can count. I have been a scrapbooker for 14 years since my daughter was the age of 3 and then 11 years ago along came the other special boy in my life my gorgeous son, many of my creations tend to feature them.

My preferred scrapping preference is 12 x 12 layouts and creating off the page/altered projects. I am not locked into a specific scrapping style, as I am happy to give anything a go, but I would describe my style as structured with lots of layers, fussy cut paper cutting, detail and dimension.

I am lucky enough to have been published in Australian Scrapbook Memories and Australian Scrapbook Creations magazines numerous times." ~Joanne

 

Project - Father's Day Card

By Joanne Bain

 

‘I love the colours of the Communique collection, they are beautifully neutral and I think perfect for making a masculine Father's Day card.’ ~Joanne 

 

 

Check out How to Create a Fathers Day Card by Joanne Bain by Joanne Bain on Snapguide.

 

 

 

 

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• Communique - Deluxe Collector's Edition
• Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Brad Staples

 

 Here are a few of our favorite project by the wonderful and talented Joanne. 

 

Dream Layout

 

"My little man he is a dreamer and in turn he has made my wildest dreams come true so I thought it was very fitting to create a page about him using a dream catcher. As my little man is a nature lover I wanted to create a country feel for my page and the Graphic 45 French Country papers were perfect for this. What says country more then sunflowers and roosters right? I fussy cut and layered all of the sunflowers and then topped my page off with the crowing rooster. I added lots of strings and coloured cotton for texture and to make it look and feel more like a real dream catcher. I added lots of texture to my background and added a very light wash of Dusty In Colour Hot Chocolate for added contrast."  ~Joanne

See full post here.

Mushroom Fairy House

Joanne's shares this amazing Snapguide Step by step tutorial on how to create your own mushroom fairy house.  

 

 

Check out How to Create a Mushroom Fairy House by Joanne Bain by Joanne Bain on Snapguide.

Place in Time Planner

"To create my planner I decided to use the Ivory Mixed Media Album as I wanted quiet a neutral colour as a base for the planner. I then mixed 3 of the gorgeous Graphic 45 collections, Place In Time, Childrens Hour and Time To Flourish. These 3 collections mix together perfectly giving me a beautiful finished product. It was a mammoth task to complete, but one that is so worth it. I titled my planner LOVE to remind me everyday that no matter how hard life gets to always respect and love the life I have." ~Joanne

 

Check out more photos of the planner here. 

 

Cafe Parisian Flower Cart

 

Check out How to Create a Basic Flower Cart by Joanne Bain by Joanne Bain on Snapguide.

 

Celebrate - Expanding Mini Album

See more photo here.

 

 

This week's prize package includes a Midnight Masquerade Patterns & Solids 12x12 paper pad, an 8x8 paper pad, decorative chipboard, die-cut tags and pockets, and a Square Ivory Tag Album, a $50+ value!  To enter to win, just comment here on the blog and/or on Facebook each day.  We will announce one randomly chosen the winner on this Friday's blog. 

 

Thank you for joining us for this fond farewell.  Be sure to thank Joanne for sharing her amazing work with us these past few years.  Joanne, we look forward to watching you on your artistic journey and look forward to seeing what you create in the future!  Join us again tomorrow for a fantastic upcycled cabinet by Maggi Harding.  Until then pull out your stash and get busy having fun!  

Happy Papercrafting!

Visit your LSS or order online today! Looking for Graphic 45 products?  Store Locator 

A Ladies' Diary is Back in Action! Tag and Bracelet by Pam Bray

Hello, G45ers!

Happy Memorial Day to all of you reading this in the states. Today, we are also celebrating the return of one of Graphic 45's most popular releases ever, A Ladies' Diary - DCE, once again available on store shelves near you. In honor of that, Pam Bray is sharing a set of upcycled projects featuring this lovely collection. Her first project is a beautiful tag created from some left over  G45 packaging. Pam uses various pieces from the collection to create a pocket on the tag and also adds some crinkle ribbon for just a touch of feminine vintage flair. Then she shares a coordinating A Ladies' Diary bracelet because sometimes wearable crafts are the most fun. This would make a perfect gift set!

Before we get to the projects, it is time to announce this week's blog prize! We are giving away a Midnight Masquerade prize pack. To enter to win, just comment here on the blog and/or on Facebook each day.  We will announce one randomly chosen winner on this Friday's blog. 

 

 This prize package includes a Midnight Masquerade Patterns & Solids 12x12 paper pad, an 8x8 paper pad, decorative chipboard, die-cut tags and pockets, and a Square Ivory Tag Album, a $50+ value!  

 

A Ladies' Diary Upcycled Tag & Bracelet

By Pam Bray

“I love to upcycle items I find, buy, beg from friends, collect…you get the picture. I just love making something from nothing or creating something different from the purpose it originally served. I started collecting the packaging from Graphic 45 products when I first joined the team so I have several of the tag like packaging. They are perfect not only for gift tags, books, banners, but also they can become their own gift source by adding small pockets, boxes or other dimensional pieces on the back.” ~Pam Bray

  

 

Tips:

1. Check the wood aisle in your local craft stores for fabulous items to upcycle.
   
   
2. Save packaging, small boxes, and other ephemera to use on projects.
   
   
3. Look at your pattern paper to the images that are on them…you never know which images you will be able to fussy cut and use to decorate with.
   
   
4. Wet ribbon down with water; wad up and hold together with clothespin until dry will create crinkle ribbon

 

 

  

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• A Ladies' Diary - Deluxe Collection (Back in Print - In Stores Soon)
• Recycled Tag - Staples Packaging

 

Other Supplies:

• May Arts Ribbon Olive and Gold Crinkle Ribbon
• Tatted Ribbon
• DecoArt Media: Carbon Black and Yellow Oxide Paint
• Americana Decou-page and Satin Varnish
• Spellbinders Medallion Five Die
• Clear Gemstones
• Small Stapler
• Xyron Mega Runner
• Pop Dots

 

 

A Ladies' Diary Pinterest Board

Looking for more A Ladies' Diary ideas?  Check out our Pinterest Board.  We have a board for each collection we design, as well as for all different types of projects, so make it easy to search.  
 

Thanks for joining us today for a peek inside two great A Ladies' Diary projects by the talented Pam Bray. We are so excited to have this one back on store shelves and in customers hands. We'd love to hear what you will use it for in the comments below. Don't forget to comment here and/or on Facebook daily for your chance to win this weeks prize. See you back here tomorrow for more crafting goodness. 

Happy Papercrafting!

Visit your LSS or order online today! Looking for Graphic 45 products?  Store Locator 

Steampunk & Mixed Media Come Together for Two Amazing and Different Projects

Hello, G45ers,

Happy Friday! We have two great projects to get you in the mood for some crafting R&R this weekend, by design team members Aneta Matuszewska and Alexandra Morein. First up, Aneta takes it to the beach with a vivid Voyage Beneath the Sea double page layout. The seashells, net, and custom background on this evocative layout will bring you right back to those restful Summer days on the sand with the sound of the sea in your ear. Next, Alexandra debuts a creative and quirky Steampunk Debutante - DCE notebook, loaded with space to fill with quiet contemplations on those relaxing weekends at home. The details on this notebook are fun and functional, with a magnetic closure and twine binding. Before we venture forth, it is time to announce this week's lucky blog prize winner! 

The winner of this week's prize is....Gigi Steel! 

Gigi commented on the blog, "Beautiful 45 crafts. I'm always looking for more supply storage ideas!"

Congratulations, Gigi! Please email info@g45papers.com to claim your prize. 

 

Prize Package A Ladies Diary - DCE, Portrait of a Lady 12x12 Pad, 12x12 Patterns & Solids Pad, a Journaling Chipboard, Ephemera Cards, Shabby Chic Metal Brads, Clock Keys, and a set of ATC Black Policy Envelopes-that is over a $100 value!

 

Voyage Beneath the Sea Double Page Layout

By Aneta Matuszewska

"Hello everybody,

Last year my husband and I visited the Dominican Republic. The place was just magical and we’ll never forget this trip.

I still have to find time to make an album from this beautiful paradise and this double layout is for sure, something to begin with:

 

 

 

 

 

Graphic 45 Supplies:

 

• Voyage Beneath the Sea paper pad 12x12
• Voyage Beneath the Sea chipboards and tags
• Café Parisian paper pad 12x12
• Children’s Hour paper pad 12x12 - April

 

Thank you for stopping by today and have a crafty day!

xoxo" ~Aneta Matuszewska

 

Steampunk Debutante Handbound Notebook

By Alexandra Morein

 

"This notebook was created from start to finish using chipboard, cardstock, some printing paper and beautiful paper from the Steampunk Debutante collection.  

To add a little zest, I’ve created a double cover which works like a “magical wallet”. It is magnetic, as well as it is help by the ribbons and it can be open to both left and right direction, reveling space for quick tucking in some tiny tickets and paper pieces.

A couple of the inside signatures are bound to the notebook’s spine using a thin twine, and the tails of the twine are embellished with the metal cogs and some beads to compliment the overall design.
 

I’ve cut out quite a lot of the small details out of the paper sheets from the Steampunk Debutante and layered them on the cover to create a finished composition."

 

 

 

 

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• Steampunk Debutante - Deluxe Collector’s Edition (currently out of stock) 

 

 

 

Join us today, Friday, May 26th at 11 am PST on Facebook for a LIVE video! We will be teaching a fast and fun Masquerade Mask tutorial, sharing great insider tips, and of course giving away prizes! Fun fact, if you can't join us live you can watch the video afterwards.  Just click the video tab on our Facebook page.

 Thanks for joining us on this fabulous Friday, and thanks to Aneta and Alexandra for providing this lovely inspiration. We hope you can have a weekend full of rest, relaxation, and craft time. Let us know what kinds of craft projects help you unwind in the comments below. Congratulations again to Gigi and do not forget there is one more chance to win TODAY on Facebook. 

Happy Papercrafting! 

Visit your LSS or order online today! Looking for Graphic 45 products?  Store Locator 

Portrait of a Lady: Box & Album Tutorial & Special Tati Scrap Feature

Hello, G45ers!

Good day to you and welcome to a day we are going to spend featuring a couple picture perfect Graphic 45 Portrait of a Lady projects. Lena Astafeva leads things off with a beautiful box, complete with a matching mini album. We love how the ornate border works as a frame for the portrait in the center of the cover. Check out her YouTube video for a better look and the SnapGuide tutorial for full details on how to create your own. Tati Scrap is up next with a gorgeous mini-album that squeezes in a ton of fun details into a tiny package. She includes a variety of metal pieces in to add depth and weight and all the fold out pages are perfect for filling with mementos. Take a look below to see the perfect inspiration to bring this collection to life. 

   

Portrait of a Lady Box & Album

By Lena Astafeva

"Today, I want to show a small set: a box, and inside it there is an album. I used Portrait of a Lady collection and a Mixed Media Box. To create such album is very simple. I’ve prepared the tutorial, you can also watch it on video." ~Lena Astafeva

 

Check out How to Mini-Album With Box by Elena Astafeva on Snapguide.

 

 

Lena's Box & Album Video Tour

 

Graphic 45 Supplies: 

• Portrait of a Lady 12x12 Pad
• Portrait of a Lady 12x12 Patterns & Solids Pad
• Portrait of a Lady Decorative Chipboard
• Portrait of a lady Journaling Chipboard
• Portrait of a Lady Ephemera Cards
• Mixed Media 5x5 Box-Ivory

 

 

Hello Beautiful Album 

By Tati Scrap

"Hi !! Today a project with a new Graphic 45 collection...it is a beauty!!

Portrait of a Lady

In love ..." ~Tati Scrap

 

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• Portrait of a Lady
• Portrait of a Lady Chipboard
• Metal Door Plates and Knobs 
• Ornate Metal Label Holder
• Stamped Metal Brads
• Metal Keyholes 

 

This week we are giving away a set that includes A Ladies Diary - DCE, Portrait of a Lady 12x12 Pad, 12x12 Patterns & Solids Pad, a Journaling Chipboard, Ephemera Cards, Shabby Chic Metal Brads, Clock Keys, and a set of ATC Black Policy Envelopes-that is over a $100 value! To enter to win, just comment here on the blog daily or over on our Facebook page.

Thanks for joining us today for this journey through an album of Portrait of a Lady projects by Lena and Tati. We hope you have enjoyed their work as much as we have. Don't forget you can comment below for your chance to win items from this lovely collection and more. Let us know how you have been using Portrait of a Lady recently. We hope to see you back here tomorrow when we share even more design team creations. 

Happy Papercrafting! 

Visit your LSS or order online today! Looking for Graphic 45 products?  Store Locator 

Happy Papercrafting! 

Visit your LSS or order online today! Looking for Graphic 45 products?  Store Locator