Annette is one of our amazing Design Team members. She says, “I am a wife, mother, scrapper and photographer. My life is filled with creativity in various ways and getting my daily dose of ’scrapping’ is very important to me. I love to create anything with paper. I would describe my style as simple and the photos form a very important part of every page. I believe it is important to have a good balance between products and photos. Being part of the ATB design team is a great honor for me and I look forward to sharing more of my ideas with you.”

You can learn more about Annette, see more of her work and photos of her sweet children by visiting her blog.

Annette created these adorable altered clothes pins. She says, “The pegs can be used to attach photos, notes or just fun stuff (on the fridge or a wall). They are also great to use to close party packs.”

Instruction
1. Cover the pegs with some left over patterned paper.
2. Attach some gorgeous ATB Chipboard Tags from the “tag kit 2″
3. Tie ribbon through eyelets on the tags.

Here are some cards Annette also made using ATB Chipboard Tags and Soft Strips along with white and colored cardstock, ribbon and staples. Try making some for yourself - you’ll love them!

I would like to introduce Lisa Falduto - she is one of our very talented designers at ATB.

Lisa says, “Imagine me elbow deep in Patterned paper, embellishments, tools, adhesives and anything else Paper Crafting related! That is where I love to be, love to spend my time. I’m a paper crafting fanatic and love every minute of it!”

Lisa’s love for paper crafting shows in her work. Try making these projects Lisa has recently designed using ATB products.

School Supply Box

Supplies
1 cardboard pencil box
1 sheet each of School Days, Chalkboard, and Love my School Patterned Papers
School Days brads

Instruction
1. Cut a strip of Love my school with blue lined side up to fit around
school box. You may have to cut 2 strips and overlap. Cut a saying from
the Love my school sheet to place on the front of the box on top of this
strip with a brad on either side of it. Now, secure this with adhesive so
it wraps around the outside edge of the box.
2. Cut a piece of chalkboard so it fits the top of your box leaving a 1/8″
white border showing. Do not attach this piece yet.
3. Cut various sayings out of the Love My School sheet, and pictures from
the School Days sheet and place these on top of the chalkboard sheet above.
4. Scatter brads on the top where you want them and secure.
5. Finish off the box by tying a small piece of ribbon in a knot and
securing it to the lower right hand corner of the box.

Love Letter Mail Box

Supplies
1 Sheet each Head over Heels, Amore, Secret Admirer and Pink Floret Patterned Paper
1 Package Babe-Love 3D Crystal Appliques
1 Love Punch and Emboss
1 Circle punch larger than the punch and emboss
1 Mini tin mailbox (I got mine in the Target dollar spot)
6″ Coordinating 1/2″ ribbon

Instruction
1. Measure and cut a piece of the Pink Floret, solid side up that wraps
around the outside arch of your mailbox and secure in place making a slit so
it fits over the rivet in the mailbox flag.
2. Measure and cut a piece of Amore for the same area you just covered.
You will want to make this piece about an inch more narrow than the previous
piece so when attached it will leave a pink border. Secure in place.
3. Cut two 1/4″ strips of Secret Admirer. This will serve as the trim
between the pink and blue pieces you just attached to the mailbox.
4. Attach the “Love” Crystal Applique on top of the mailbox.
5. Remove one of the mailbox end caps and trace around the outside edge on
the brown side of Head over Heels. Cut both of these out slightly inside
the drawn line to make them a little smaller and then adhere to the ends of
the mailbox.
6. Use the Love punch and emboss to punch into the solid brown side of
Secret Admirier. Use your circle punch to punch this entire piece out.
7. Create a pink rectangle the size of the flag and adhere. Place the Love
punched piece centered in this rectangle and adhere. Tie on ribbon accent.

Janelle is one of our very talented ATB designers. We’re sharing some of Janelle’s latest ATB designs.

Janelle says: “I live in Georgia with my wonderful husband, Christopher. We have 3 fabulous kids; Meghan-8, Matthew-4 and Brenden-2 . I have been scrapping since 2000, and I have finally found my groove!

I thoroughly enjoy scrapbooking, being the family historian, and preserving all our memories for many generations to come. I have had the honor to have been published in Memory Makers, Scrapbook Trends, Paper Trends, Paper Art, Pine Cone Press, Cards!, Scrapbooks Etc. and Scrapbooking Keepsakes.”

To make Janelle’s Sweet Fabulous Wand…
1. Purchase a wooden wand from your local craft store. (Mine is from Michaels)
2. Adhere some ATB Patterned paper to the star with glue stick. I used ATB’s patterned paper from the Essential Scrapbooking Kit.
3. I cut up and applied one of the Uber Luxe Soft Strips - they’re adhesive back.
4. Add some 3D Crystal Appliques for some added bling.
5. Tie some ribbon around the handle.

Super fun! I have a had time keeping it out of my kids hands! They keep telling me they want to use it to turn daddy into a butterfly!

Jessica Ulery, one of our very talented Design Team members has designed this super cute Valentines Day box. Here’s how to make one for yourself…and someone else too!

Supplies:
Around the Block Flocking and Glitter Kit
Around the Block Glue Stickers – Flourishes
Around the Block Soft Tags
Around the Block Frame Tape – Lace #2
Wooden Box
White Paint
Brown Ink

Instructions
1. First paint wooden box white. After it dries, ink the edges all the way around.
2. Place the glue stickers where desired and gently shake pink flocking over them. Remove excess by dropping into Around the Block tray.
3. Cut the part of the soft tag off that would be used with the paper tagger. Round the edge so it blends with the rest of the edges. Glue down with small Zots.
4. Decide how long your frame tape needs to be and tear it off. Ink the edges and allow to dry.
5. Peel off backing and stick to the lid of the wooden box.
6. Use glue included in flocking kit and put a drop randomly in the middle of every few flowers. Apply pink flocking shaking off the excess.
7. Allow to dry and enjoy your Valentine’s Gift Box!

I would like to introduce Tina. Tina is one of our talented design team members. She has designed some super simple and fun ornaments you can make with your children.

She says: “This Holiday season I am in a ornament swap. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to use the Around the Block Glitter and Flocking kits! They are so simple to use and so fun for the whole family! My elementary school boys made one for each of their teachers as well!!”

Here is what you do…

Supplies
Around the Block Flocking and glittering kit
Misc. Ribbon
Glass or plastic ornaments for your tree

Instructions
1. You simply choose a pattern or word from the rub on glue sheets. They are placed on see through plastic so it makes placement so easy.

2. Center on the glass ornament, rub down, and peel off plastic backing.

3. Then pour your glitter over the glue word and gently press the glitter or flocking into the glue.

4. Blow off excess glitter glitter and add ribbon.

Simply, rub on, pour glitter and blow! How fantastic is that? You should see my nieces bike helmet!! Soo cute!

A very talented Scrapbook & Paper Crafts designer and a member of ATB’s Design Team, Vanessa Colant, brings a fun and funky style to the Block! Vanessa has created a gorgeous Christmas Gift Bag and Christmas Card using ATB products. We invite you to try these ideas this holiday season.

Here’s a bit more about Vanessa…

Hi everybody, my name is Vanessa but everybody calls me Nessa or Ness. I’m a 27 year old Belgian girl. Do you know where Belgium is? it’s in Europe and it’s a very little and rainy country. We really need some sun here….

My mother tongue is, of course, French but I’ll do my best to write you in my best English. I live with my man and our 2 little boys (30 months and 7 months). I don’t work, I’m a stay at home mum so I have a lot of time for my passion: scrapbooking!!!!! Scrapbooking is a great part of my life!! I need it in my everyday life, to escape from my very speedy mummy life…I love to create !!!! As Jennifer says it, I’m a bubbly and cheerful girl, so I think she’s right…????? What do you think ?

Gift Bag Project

Instructions:
1. Cover bag, or create your own bag and cover with ATB Patterned Papers (Ornaments and Ho Ho Ho)
2. Paint Sassy Swirls Chipboard Letters green.
3. Attach Chipboard Letters, Ultimate tag kit tag and paper sentiments with adhesive.
4. Draw on doodles with permanent black marker.

Christmas Card Project

Instructions:
1. Cut a card back out of ATB Patterned Paper (Snow Storm) 5″ x 5″. Draw a black frame around edge of card with a permanent black marker.
2. Cut out sentiments from ATB Patterned Paper (Christmas Magic & Merry Christmas). Cut out bracket shape, circle and scalloped border (Snow Storm). Outline sentiments & shapes with a black permanent marker.
3. Attach sentiments & shapes with adhesive.
4. Cut out star and attach Christmas Epoxy Tag to star. Attach Star to corner of card with the Paper Tagger.
5. Attach a strip of green ATB Paper & Fabric Ribbon Tapes to bottom of card. Adhere “LOVE” sentiment to top of Ribbon Tape.

It’s been a while since we’ve posted a project on the blog. Here’s a fun one to get you in the Christmas Spirit. Make these sweet Christmas ornaments with a few items you probably already have around your home.

Supplies:

Cookie Cutter

Patterned Paper (We used ATB Christmas paper designs)

Narrow Ribbon or Rick-Rack, cut to a 7″ length

Glitter

Pony Beads

Glue

Instructions:

1. Trace your cookie cutter onto the back side of your patterned paper. Cut out your design with scissors or an Xacto knife.

2. Spread some glue out on a paper plate and dip your cookie cutter in the glue to coat the edge. Place cookie cutter on top of the paper design. Allow to dry.

3. Dip other edge of cookie cutter into the glue, then sprinkle glitter over glue. Allow to dry.

4. Gently run ribbon through the top of your ornament pulling back a little of the glued paper. Re-glue if necessary.

5. Slide a charm or small ornament (if desired) over ribbon. Pull ribbon ends to the top, then slide pony bead over ribbon ends. Tie a knot at the top.

Today’s project is designed by Molly Peckham, one of our designers at Around The Block. She used the Christmas papers to do an every day layout - who would have thought!? We encourage you to re-purpose a product just like Molly did.

By: Tina Freeman

Tina is a member of our ATB design team. She designed this project we’re featuring today. We’d love to see your version of this fun project, so if you create it, honor us with a photo of yours in our Gallery!

Here’s Tina’s instructions:

This was such a fun Project. I used all the papers from the new collection that Around The Block released at CHA winter! Look for them in stores now!

First I took a naked pencil holder and cut the pattern paper to fit the sides, I used Therm O Web sticky dots sheets to adhere it to the pencil holder. I then used the Around the Block Antiquing Tool to sand down all the edges on the pencil holder. I love the look clean look that sanding the edges gives when working on altered projects.

I used different die cuts and flower shapes traced on patterned papers from Around The Block to make the flowers for the tops of Around The Block Journaling Pencils.

After cutting out the flower shapes, I layered them into 5 different blooms. I just took different shapes and sizes and layered and played with them until I found 5 blooms that I liked.

I added glitter glue to 1 or 2 layers, or 1 or 2 different flowers on each bloom.

The centers of the blooms are either Around The Block Brads or Around The Block Chipboard Flowers.

I used Around The Block Ribbon Tapes (they’re self-adhesive!) on the pencils, you wont believe how easy they made it for us to use this ribbon! You simply peel it off the protective backing and start at the top of the pencil twisting the pencil as you guide the ribbon down toward the tip. It doesn’t have to go all the way to the tip, it is just an accent for the stem of the flower, and it also makes for a soft comfy grip in the pencil.

I attached the flower blooms to the top of the pencil with a 3d glue dot from Therm O Web and then used a flower punch to punch another smaller flower to add to the back of the flower to hide the top of the pencil from all sides. Sort of like the backing of a flower you buy in the store.

I filled the pencil holder with clear Easter grass so that the pencils stand up in the holder with out sliding around. It also gives the holder the feel and look of a vase with flowers in it.

I stamped a few little flowers and a stem with leaves in brown ink on the outside of the pencil holder and added one more flower for accent.

You can really let your imagination run wild, there are no rules. Just play around until you see something you like and go for it! That is the best thing about this wonderful hobby; it is all about you and your creativity.

ATB Weekend Project - Spring Bouquet

Yep, you read it right! Check out this wonderful spring bouque of cookies in the shapes of flowers and butterflies along with ATB’s wonderful Spring Patterned paper (as grass) and Flower Chipboard Shapes. This project was designed by Sarah Amos. Sarah runs her own cake and confectionary home-based bakery in near Kansas City. Check out her tasty talents here: www.sarahmakescakes.com.

We’ve tasted her amazing cakes and can vouch for the quality. They’re the best ever!
Check out this Around The Block cake she made for us, it was amazing…

Make Your Own Spring Bouquet…
(And don’t forget to post a photo in our gallery! We’d love to see what you create.)

ATB Products
Spring Patterned Papers; Pink Florret and Sunshine
Flower Chipboard Shapes
Paper Tagger

Other Products
Sarah’s Cookies (recipe below)
Metal Bucket
Ribbon
Styrofoam® Ball

Instructions:
1. Bake and decorate cookies.
2. Cut strips of patterned papers in 1/4″ strips, curl with edge of scissors and fill bucket. The paper curls will support the cookies.
3. Tag 3 Flower Chipboard Shapes to a bow and attach to pail with Zots by Therm O Web.
4. Stick the cookie lollipop sticks into the Styrofoam® ball, then cover with paper curls.
5. Enjoy your beautiful bouquet!

Sarah’s Sugar Cookie Recipe + Notes
6 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
2 cups butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract or desired flavoring (I like almond myself)
1 tsp. salt
60 Lollipop sticks

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Mix dry ingredients and add a little at a time to butter mixture. Mix until flour is completely incorporated and the dough comes together.

I roll out my cookie dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper - chill until stiff and then cut out my cookies - this helps with more complex cookie cutters and spreading of the cookies!

Bake cookies for 12 minutes at 350*F till the bottoms are just browning. Insert lollipop sticks into the cookies as they come out of the oven and are still hot.

Recipe makes approx. 60 - 3″ cookies.

Marshmallow Fondant (Frosting)
16 oz bag marshmallows
2 tbsp water
2 tsp flavoring (I like almond or vanilla)
2 lbs powdered sugar
1/4 cup Crisco plus more for kneading

Grease your bowl you will melt your marshmallow in and your mixing bowl with shortening. Place one half of your powdered sugar in your mixing bowl and make a well - drop in your 1/4 shortening.

Melt the marshmallows, flavoring and water in the microwave (30 second bursts - stir after each burst). After they melt remove and quickly scrape into your mixer bowl that has the powdered sugar in it.

Using the paddle attachment start your mixer on low speed. Mix until combined. Mixture will be very thick. Add powdered sugar a bit at a time and mix in. Once the mixture is too thick for you paddle - change it with the dough hook. Mix in the rest of the powdered sugar.

Wrap the fondant in plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Let the fondant rest until cooled - 1 to 2 hours or overnight.

To color the fondant just add a drop of gel coloring and knead the coloring in just like kneading dough. Roll out your fondant just like any dough - if it sticks to your surface use shortening. Use the same cookie cutter you use for your cookies to cut out your fondant. Place your fondant on your cookies as soon as they come out of the oven. The heat of the cookies will adhere your fondant to the cookie.