piggytalesacademy

Update & some new designs

Things have been a little crazy around here lately!  I've been trying to stay ahead of things this holiday season, but it always seems like something creeps up in the end!  Oh well, I've been enjoying the Christmas music, cooking with the kids and driving around looking at the lights outside...not to mention the wonderful weather we've been having!

Our Design Team has been hard at work getting designs submitted, and I've been holding out on posting for a while now.  Here's a few AMAZING projects created by Design Team member Renee Moris-Dezember using the November 2010 PTA kit...

"Too Beautiful" Layout

Technique by Renee: "Though this is not a new technique I still LOVE to do it! STITCHING…it just always adds that little extra “something” to your layout or project. However, you must be careful, because when machine stitching…it is NOT forgiving.

Also, on this layout I hand-drew some elements and cut them out and added my own “shape” to this layout…but using pop-dots you add dimension and just a bit a depth. And last but certainly not least…I made a paper flower…using a paper flower from the kit as my base…and then began to layer multiple sized die-cut shapes until I got the look I wanted…I fastened it all together with a brad."

 

"Papa & the Kids" Layout

Technique by Renee:
"Using my Scorepal I scored lines onto my background piece of paper. I wanted to use a solid piece of paper but I wanted to add just a touch of pattern. Then I roughed up the edges with a piece of sandpaper giving it the effect of a “Fall Leaf” and adhered it to my layout front."

Thanks so much Renee for these great tips! 

Debbie

Gift Card Holder

Here's another unique project created by Design Team member Windy Robinson using the November kit. 

Gift Card Holder by Windy Robinson

To create gift card holder:
1) Create card holder by cutting patterned paper 5.5" x 10"
2) Fold into a tri-fold holder by flipping bottom flap up and securing pocket with adhesive

3) embellish pocket with alternate patterned papers from kit

4) add flower and swivel chipboard arm and secure with brad

Thanks Windy!

Debbie

More November projects

Here's a creative card created by Design Team member Windy Robinson.  I love how she altered the flowers to create a new unique embellishment.

Double Layered Flower Card by Windy Robinson

To make flower: 1) trim petals off of flowers

2) add glue dot to petals

3) adhere to the back of a whole flower

4) embellish flower by inking and adding layered buttons and ribbon

 Debbie

Card Ideas

Here's some great card ideas Design Team member Laura Davis created using the November 2010 PTA kit.  I love how Laura mixes and matches product from different collections to create a totally different look.  I also enjoy seeing how she layers embellishments to create added dimension to her cards. 

Debbie

Welcome DT Member Laura Davis

It has been so fun getting to know our Design Team members!  This week we're featuring designer Laura Davis.  When asked to tell us a little about herself here's what she said...

 

"Hello, my name is Laura Davis, I am a wife and a mother to a 15 year old daughter.  My family and I live in beautiful Denver, Colorado.  I enjoy running, working out, cooking and creating.  Creating is my passion.  I love being inspired, and inspiring others.  I am thrilled to be a part of the Piggy tales Family!

I scrapbook/create because I am smitten over the rich products this wonderful industry offers through colors, textures and techniques.  Nothing says "I love you" more than a homemade heartfelt card, LO, or altered item."

Thanks Laura!  Check out some of her amazing and creative cards!

"My Friend" Card using product from May 2010 PTA kit

Card using product from November 2009 PTA kit

"Hi" Card using product from March 2010 PTA kit

 
 
 

Have a great day,

Debbie

Design Team Intro-Renee' Morris-Dezember

 

I’m a mom, wife and teacher and recently I’ve gone back to the classroom and just can’t believe how much happiness it has brought back to my life. I live in Eastern Washington State, which is the desert side of the state. I have three adorable kiddos and a very amazing hubby, who supports all that I do. I have been scrapping for over 10 years! I scrapbook because it helps me to document our crazy BUSY lives and it also helps me to think about the things that are important and put them into perspective. You can visit me at my blog: www.reneedezember.blogspot.com

Here's some fun projects Renee' has created!

"Beautiful Bride" using product from June PTA Kit

"My Kids" using product from July PTA Kit

"What a Life" using product from March PTA Kit

Design Team Intro-Shannon Morgan

 

Hi, my name is Shannon Morgan. I am a Northern girl living in the South......that takes some getting used to, but I'm not going to complain about being able to wear flip flops in March, but ask me again in the summer.....! I am a stay at home mom and I am very thankful to be. I have two crazy, yet loveable kiddos and two dogs....one of which who thinks she's a little person trapped in a dog body.....they all keep the house colorful, loud and busy. There's never a lull! I am glad though, I can't imagine life without them. I have a husband who is strangely supportive of my need to create.

Speaking of creating and scrapping......I scrap for sanity, I scrap for Patrick and Mackenzie in hopes that they'll see that I really did LOVE them and all the no's, go to your room's and because I said so's will melt away. I want them to remember all the fun things we did even if it's just looking at clouds or eating cookies. I think that's what life is all about really, isn't it?

Here's some projects from Shannon using some of our March and April PTA kits...

 Thanks Shannon!  Can't wait to see more projects from you!

Design Team Intro-Windy Robinson

We're so excited to have Windy on our Design Team.  I love her cards and the creative ways she uses product!  Here's some info about her...

About Myself...

My name is Windy Robinson and I am trilled to be a part of the Piggy Tales Academy Design Team. I'm the mother of 5 year old Campbell and 2 year old Hadley, and the wife of wonderful Brian. We reside in Loveland, Ohio-- a suburb on the east side of Cincinnati. I've been scrapbooking for about 12 years, and started making cards a little over a year ago. Since then I  have fallen head over heels in love with card making, and have been fortunate to have my work published in Paper Crafts and Cards magazine.  In my spare time I enjoy hanging out with my family and volunteering in my community. If I can do something helpful and creative everyday, I'm a happy girl!

Why I scrapbook?

My reason is simple... I scrapbook and make cards because I love to share and learn, and this wonderful craft enables us all to do that on so many levels. The most enjoyable part of it for me is not only forging wonderful relationships with paper crafters who live in my community, but also with those who live all around the world.

Thanks Windy for the inspiration!

Debbie 
 

 

  

Design Team Intro-Grace Tolman

This week we'd like to introduce Grace Tolman!  Here's a little about her...

 

My life in a nutshell: 
During the day I stay at home with my kids, a 6 year old son and 4 year old daughter. Our days are filled with school, trips to the library, park days and sometimes when they're good a trip to Burger King or McDonalds. At night I work part time as a Retail Associate at Aeropostale. A hip, fun clothing store that I constantly use as a great source of inspiration for my paper projects. I have a loving and very supportive husband of 7 years. He's supported me all the way in this addiction I call "scrapbooking".
Although I’ve been doing some type of scrapbooking since grade school, I only started to scrapbook seriously after my son was born. When he was born I knew I will be staying at home with him but coming from a fast paced sales job I was afraid I would ran out of things to do during the day. Little did I know that with a newborn you won’t have anytime to do anything else. Anyways after going through a basic scrapbooking class I was hooked and haven’t stopped scrapping since. My style has evolved through the years but there's one thing that never changes- my quest to tell the story. That's always the first thing I think of when I want to make a scrapbook page and/or project. And lately I've been inspired by pattern paper and fun, bright colors.

Thanks Grace!  Here's some great projects from her...

 
  

Design Team Intro - Danielle Wycough

I've had a chance to get to know our new Design Team a little better and am so impressed with their amazing talent.  Each week we'll feature a new Design Team member so you can see what I mean.  

First I'd like to introduce to you Danielle Wycough.  Here's a little about her...

 

Hi! My name is Danielle Wycough. I live in Texas with my Prince Charming, and our 5 Wonderful Children. I am married to an amazing man, who is my soul mate. He works so hard to provide for us, and I am completely thankful for the gift of him. I am very fortunate to be a stay at home mother to Callie - 13, Ethan - 10, Garrett - 8, Shelby - 7, and Chisum - 5. They keep me very busy with their activities, and I love every minute of it. I have been Blessed beyond what I could ever deserve with my family. They are my heart.

I started scrapbooking 3 years ago, when I was asked to make a page for a scrapbook as a present. One day I walked into my local scrapbook store (Huge! HUGE! mistake. The clouds parted, and I heard harps playing!!! That was all it took. I was hooked. I love every aspect of scrapbooking, and all the possiblities that are available through papercrafting. I started to create cards in 2009, and although I enjoy creating layouts, cards has become my forte. I hope that through my cards, I can make one person smile. It is not only a therapy, but it has become a mission for me. I taught a Scrapbook Bible Study for my church, and the fact that I can incorporate my passion for scrapbooking and my faith is one reason that I love paper crafting. I have been published in Cards Magazine, and have had the honor of being a part of some fabulous Design Teams.   

I also enjoy sewing, crocheting, reading when I can, and being outside. I wish I could keep a flower garden, but I have accepted that I have a "black" thumb. I love to ride horses. I love wearing stilettos, the higher the better. In fact I would ride horses in them...if I could figure out how to do that. I don't know the last generation in my family that did not have blond hair and blue eyes. I am originally from Palm Springs, California. I can drive a tractor and bale hay...I have driven a tractor while wearing heels! One of my favorite sounds is the sound of my children laughing. I teach a 3rd and 4th grade Sunday School class. I love to sing at the top of my lungs. But, I can not carry a tune. I love to sit and soak up the sunshine. I like to hang our clothes on a clothesline outside. My favorite vacation spot is anywhere tropical. I eat lots of junk food, and drink way too much coffee. I snort when I laugh. We have some of the best friends that a person can have. I seize the moment, sometimes over think things, love with all my heart, would give you the shirt off my back, and I thank God each and every day for the life He has given me.

Thanks Danielle!  Here's some projects Danielle has created using our March and April PTA kits...If you'd like to see the directions for these projects check them out in the gallery on the top right of our blog.

 
 

     

Enjoy!

Debbie