Monthly Wrap Up

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! 

Sketchy Thursday

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

Dear Pebbles

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)

How To Tuesday

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

Mix & Match Monday

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)

Guest Designer: Tania Willis and a GIVEAWAY!

Hi everyone! I am so excited to introduce you to this week's Guest Designer Tania Willis.  Let's get to know Tania a little better ...

Describe yourself in 3 words … sensitive, creative, ambitious.

My guilty pleasure is … Coldstone Creamery Coffee Lovers Ice Cream with Snickers, Roasted Almonds and Caramel mixed in – YUMMO!

You’ll never find me without … C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine - Spearmint.

You might be surprised to know that I … skipped my Junior year of high school and graduated at the age of 16.

My least favorite chore is … matching socks.

I started scrapbooking in ... 1996 as a newlywed, but quickly got bored with the limited supply of cutesy stickers and paper.  I picked it up again in 2002 after my first daughter was born.

My favorite thing about this hobby is ...  being able to use my talent to encourage, teach and inspire others all around the world.

If I were a Pebbles product I would be …most definitely the Chipboard Flowers!

Tania created so many amazing projects for us today including this gorgeous home decor altered frame.  Here's what Tania had to say ... “As soon as I saw the ‘follow your dreams’ embellishment, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it!  My mantra has always been ‘dream big and when those dreams come true, dream bigger.’  With the coordinating embellishments, border stickers and paper strips, this framed piece came together in a matter of twenty minutes. Once it was complete, I covered the stickers with a piece of computer paper, then splattered paint to give it that finishing touch.”

Tips: Create antennae for the butterflies by adding twisted jewelry wire to the back before adhering to your project.  Also, don’t have mist?  No sweat!  Water down acrylic craft paint 1 part paint to 1 part water and create splatters using an inexpensive paint brush by dipping into the paint then holding the brush parallel to your paper and tapping it lightly.

Pebbles supplies used:
Floral Lane Warm Thoughts (751117)
Floral Lane My Darling (751126)
Floral Lane Icon (732056)
Floral Lane Floral Lane Phrase (732054)
Floral Lane Chips (747108)
Floral Lane ABC Stickers (732052)
Fresh Goods Dimensional Butterflies (747154)
Fresh Goods Masking Tape Stickers (732078)
Fresh Goods Dimensional Border Stickers (732077)
Lollipop Button Candy Dots (747114)

Here's what Tania had to say about her next project ... “For this layout, I simply gathered all the pink elements I had from both the Fresh Goods and Floral Lane collections to create a somewhat monochromatic layout.  At first glance the bold raspberry pinks seemed just a bit overpowering for the soft pinks in the patterned papers, so to help make the transition from bold to soft easier on the eyes I sprayed my background paper with a medium pink shimmer mist.  Then by grouping the bolder products into three substantial groups and using the paper strip from the Smile Everyday paper I was able to combine products in a way that worked perfect for accenting my loud photo.  It helps that the photo itself had several different shades of pink to help pull the colors together.”

Pebbles supplies used:
Floral Lane Memory Lane (751119)
Floral Lane Sweet Thoughts (751120)
Floral Lane Smile Everyday (751123)
Floral Lane Phrase Stickers (732054)
Floral Lane Icon Stickers (732056)
Floral Lane Chips (747108)
Fresh Goods Front Desk (751187)
Fresh Goods Dimensional Border Stickers (732077)
Fresh Goods Chipboard Flowers (747155)
Fresh Goods Masking Tape Stickers (732078)
Lollipop Button Candy Dots (747114)

And finally Tania also played along with our theme this week and created this amazing layout welcoming fall.  Here's what Tania had to say ... "“To fit in with the Fabulous Fall theme, I decided to create a whimsical fall layout using a non-traditional color palette.  Instead of focusing on pumpkins and acorns and falling leaves, I focused more on greeting fall by using repetitive hellos with subtle hints of fall icons.  I did this with a single punched fall leaf and turned the velvet yo-yo into a ‘pumpkin’ by adding a brown stem and green cording before adhering to the layout. Dark brown splatters help pull a bit of warmth into the soft color palette.”

Pebbles supplies used:
Floral Lane Hello (747115)
Floral Lane Warm Thoughts (751117)
Floral Lane Icon (732056)
Floral Lane Velvet Yo-Yos (747112)
Floral Lane Chips (747108)
Fresh Goods Masking Tape Stickers (732078)
Fresh Goods ABC Stickers (732074)
Fresh Goods Chipboard Buttons (747152)
Fresh Goods Freshly Picked (751193)
Fresh Goods Daily Special (751185)
Fresh Goods Come Again (751191)
Fresh Goods Dimensional Border Stickers (732077)
Surf Button Candy Dots (744275)

Thank you so much Tania for creating so many amazing projects with Pebbles!  And now for a GIVEAWAY!  To enter simply leave a comment on this blog post telling us which of Tania's projects was your favorite.  One lucky winner will be chosen at random to win a prize pack full of Pebbles goodies.  Submit your comments by Monday at midnight (EST).  I'll announce the winner Tuesday morning. Good luck!

More Fall Projects with Ashley, Laura, and Valerie

Design team member Ashley Stephens created this stunning layout about her family's trip to Paris in the fall last year.  Here's what Ashley had to say ... "Before I moved here to Germany, I lived in Turkey where  it's hot and sunny 80% of the year (the other 20% is rainy). For those two years we really missed out on the beautiful changes that happen in fall! We got a chance to visit Paris last year, though, and got to see the oranges and reds in the trees, the leaves on the ground, and cool, crisp air! It was gorgeous there and we were so thankful to get that little glimpse.  For this page, I started with hand-stitched leaves and then built the rest of the page around them in fall colors. The toothpick flags help add that happy feeling that we had while we were there and also create a great focal point."

Pebbles supplies used:
Fresh Goods Come Again (761191)
Fresh Goods Freshly Picked (751193)
Fresh Goods Rain Check (751184)
Fresh Goods Embossed Masking Tape Stickers (732078)
Fresh Goods Toothpick Flags (747153)
New Addition Adorable (751155)
New Addition Fabric Brads (747139)
New Addition Brown Button Candy Dots (747138)
Floral Lane ABC Clear Stamps (747106)
Welcome Christmas Buttons (747147)

Other supplies used:
Cardstock (American Crafts)
Embossing Powder (American Crafts)
Ribbon (American Crafts)
Chipboard (Pink Paislee)
Tag (Ranger)
Floss (DMC)

Design team member Laura Craigie created this adorable card and treat bag combo perfect for welcoming the cooler temperatures of fall.  Here's what Laura had to say ... "When I think of fall, I think of falling leaves, sipping hot chocolate, and watching my son's soccer games outside.  So, I decided to make a card, and a paper container to tuck a hot chocolate pack into for my son's coach.  I started off just making a bunch of leaves to use, and went from there.  The paper sour cream container is something I've seen lots of places lately, and easy to make.  Just take a 6x6" piece of paper, run glue along one side and make a tube.  Then you just adhere and pinch the tube ends in opposite directions.  For a more finished look crimp the ends together."

Pebbles supplies used:
Fresh Goods Window Display (751189)
Fresh Goods Come Again (751191)
Fresh Goods Mom & Pop (751194)
Fresh Goods Chipboard Buttons (747152)
Floral Lane Duplicate Rub-on Hello (747115)

Other supplies used:
Cardstock (American Crafts)
Thickers (American Crafts)
Tag (Avery)
Embossing Folder (Sizzix)
Rosette Die (Tim Holtz)

Design team member Valerie Mangan celebrates fall in the Garden state just like I do and documented a fun family outing on this gorgeous layout.  Here's what Valerie had to say ... "For this project I focused on a few snapshots of a very ‘fall in New Jersey’ experience; our annual trip to a local farm market where they go over-the-top at Halloween.  I mixed a few lines for this page but relied heavily on the Flora Lane line – a great versatile line. I cut small flowers from the With Love paper from the Floral Lane line and stacked them for some dimension and cut my little banners from scraps."

Pebbles supplies used:
Floral Lane With Love (751122)
Floral Lane Thanks a Bunch (751125)
Floral Lane Chips (747108)
Fresh Goods Signage (751186)
Fresh Goods Mom & Pop (751194)
Fresh Goods Embossed Borders Stickers (732077)
Fresh Goods Embossed Masking Tape Stickers (732078)
Welcome Christmas Toothpick Flags (747147)
New Addition Brown ABC Stickers (732064)
Button Candy Dots Yellow

Other supplies used:
Cardstock (Bazzill)
Ribbon (American Crafts)