Chantalle McDaniel's Blog Posts

06.16.15

Howdy!  Layle here with you again today for a 3rd project for day 2 of our Simple Stories & Top Dog Dies Product Swap! 

Both design teams have swapped products and will be sharing on our blogs all week long.  Join us for some great inspiration as well as a chance to win a prize package from both Top Dog Dies & Simple Stories! 
Today we'll have 3 (yes, 3!) posts from design team member Chantalle McDaniel with 3 stunning layouts using our 3 newest collections & 3 Top Dog Dies.  Here's Chantalle's last project -
_______________
My final share today is this airy page using the new ‘So Fancy' collection and the Circle Die Set from Top Dog. 
 
 
When I was testing this die out, I initially thought about using the shapes in a circular pattern on the page. One of the shapes came out half cut, where the test paper had failed to cover the area, and I thought how much the shape looked like a little cloud. Total change of plan and I ended up with this arrangement instead. I love how that kind of evolution takes place in a project sometimes!
 
 
I wanted to keep the page uncluttered, so I have kept lots of space between the elements - topping the circle shape with half the middle, flower-like shape. Some have been raised on foam tape for dimension and one has been given a sparkly finish with the addition of some fine glitter. Some others have been stamped for interest.
 
 
To compliment the ’So lovely’ banner, I have snipped the edges of a couple of phrases from the So Fancy Expressions sticker sheet and added them at intervals behind the circles. A few enamel dots and photo stickers add whimsy and as a final flourish, some small paint spatters (fake the really tiny ones with a good white pen, like a Uni-ball Signo.)
 
 
Thank you so much for stopping by today. If you would like to see more of what I get up to, you are most welcome to pop by and say hello on Instagram @chantallemcdaniel.
_______________
Now for even more fun!!  Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below and we'll draw one lucky winner on Sunday to win a Summer Vibes prize pack!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

After you've entered, head on over to the Top Dog Dies blog to see what their team has created.  Make sure to enter there as well - they're giving away a $50 prize!

Want to follow Top Dog Dies and keep up with all of their great projects & products?  Here you go!

Instagram: @topdogdies

Facebook: www.facebook.com/topdogdies

Twitter: @TopDogDies

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/topdogdies

Website: topdogdies.com

Blog: http://www.topdogdies.com/blog

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/topdogdies

 

Join us again tomorrow for more projects using Simple Stories & Top Dog Dies!

Supplies
06.16.15

Howdy!  Layle here with you again today for another project for day 2 of our Simple Stories & Top Dog Dies Product Swap! 

Both design teams have swapped products and will be sharing on our blogs all week long.  Join us for some great inspiration as well as a chance to win a prize package from both Top Dog Dies & Simple Stories! 
Today we'll have 3 (yes, 3!) posts from design team member Chantalle McDaniel with 3 stunning layouts using our 3 newest collections & 3 Top Dog Dies.  Here's Chantalle's second project -
_______________
Howdy!  Chantalle back with you again for my 2nd layout.  This layout uses the new ’So Rad’ collection. Totally perfect for the dude in my life!
 
 
I’m also working with a Top Dog Banner die. I’ve made the most of the So Rad 6x6 pad and cut multiple banners which I have adhered in the centre of the page, to draw the eye in.
 
 
Experiment with different media. I used vellum with the die and tried to cut acetate (although the type I had was too thick, so it didn’t work this time around.) I’ve arranged the banners overlapping each other and then stitched them to my page using a sewing machine.
 
 
The photo sits in it’s own ‘cheat’ pocket. I was inspired by the awesome bonus pockets and die cut shapes you get with the So Rad Sn@p Cards!
 
 
• To create the pocket, I used a craft knife to carefully cut along the striped line on this Sn@p card. I didn’t cut all the way to edge, just enough to tuck my photo inside the slit. To prevent the photo from falling all the way through, I popped a bit of foam tape near the bottom of the underside of the card.
 
• I dislike my handwriting, so I used the notebook shape from the So Rad Bits & Pieces pack for journalling. I then attached this to my photo using an eyelet. 
 
• Finally, I punched a hole into a star shaped chipboard sticker and threaded a small chain through it to connect it to the photo.
 
 
A couple of pencil doodles are a commitment-free way to add personality to your project. If you are happy with the result, you can always go over the line work in pen.
 
 
_______________
Now for even more fun!!  Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below and we'll draw one lucky winner on Sunday to win a Summer Vibes prize pack!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

After you've entered, head on over to the Top Dog Dies blog to see what their team has created.  Make sure to enter there as well - they're giving away a $50 prize!

Want to follow Top Dog Dies and keep up with all of their great projects & products?  Here you go!

Instagram: @topdogdies

Facebook: www.facebook.com/topdogdies

Twitter: @TopDogDies

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/topdogdies

Website: topdogdies.com

Blog: http://www.topdogdies.com/blog

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/topdogdies

 

Join us again later today for 1 more project from Chantalle using Simple Stories & Top Dog Dies!

 

Supplies
05.07.15

Hello everyone! It’s wonderful to be back sharing some pages I have created, with a bit of focus on my little girl. Settling beautifully into life in ‘big’ school, it’s with awe that I see her growing before my eyes, taking on board the new challenges that life has to offer. A bit of nostalgia led to the creation of my first layout. We must be having fun, because time feels like it’s flying!

I have started this page using a beautiful, bright ‘I AM’ Important 12x12 sheet. I’m sure you have seen (and maybe even bought!) the new Sn@p Packs. I absolutely love them! I find them super versatile and love creating pages with mine, as they have pretty much everything you need, including die cuts! For this project, I have worked with the ‘Lovely’ Sn@p Pack and taken inspiration from the beautiful floral prints. My base layer comprises of a 6x4 card as well as some leftover Sn@p sticker remnants, which have been positioned in the centre of the page.

Next, using a 12x12 stencil, I went over specific areas with some Impasto to give a bit more texture to the page as well as continue the floral theme. I have used Impasto because it dries clear, which I love, as it doesn’t distract too much from what going on in your project. Here is a step by step pic. Note: It takes a fair bit of time to dry. Heat guns can speed this process up, but don’t apply the heat too close as it will bubble and spoil the surface. Once fully dry it will be transparent.

I then went about layering lots of little elements, including the pretty flower die cuts and some filigree leaves that I cut using my Silhouette Cameo.

I also created some simple paper roses which add a bit of rustic charm.

‘Life with you’ was cut out of a 4x4 card and as a final flourish, I’ve added some resin flowers and a couple of small enamel dots.

 
My next page is all about that all-important first day of school! When I saw this ‘Year in Review’ paper from the Life Documented collection, I knew it would be perfect for documenting each of my children’s first day. I love the way Erin’s has turned out!
 
 
Full of ‘busy-ness’, (just like the thoughts that were running through her head at the time, I’m sure!) I love that the paper already has prompts printed on to it. It gave me a great jumping off point to get down lots of aspects of the day.
 
 
She was strangely obsessed with a little cat-shaped notebook that I had bought her the day before. She insisted on taking it with to school and drew little pictures for her new classmates. I saved one she brought home that afternoon and scanned it, printing it off onto white cardstock, to make a little embellishment.
 
 
The larger image on the page opens up to reveal a small mini album containing messages of support she received via my Instagram account. This was made easy by using a 3x4 accordion file from the ‘I AM’ interactive elements.
 
 
The decorative clip holds it closed and can be removed to reveal more pictures inside as well as some screen grabs that I printed off to fit.
 
 
The printed numbered list proved very useful to jot down her thoughts on the day’s events and she added her own personal touch like proudly writing the numbers 1-10 (I love how some are backwards!) and a small note to me.
 
Thank you so much for stopping by. If you would like to see more of what I get up to, you are most welcome to pop by and say hello on Instagram @chantallemcdaniel.
 
'Til next time!

 

Supplies

Pages