Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Get to Know Rita


Please join us today and take a moment to get to know one of our Designers, Rita Shimniok a bit more!

1)Tell us about yourself and your family?
I've been married just over 20 yrs. to a wonderful husband and father, who supports my passion for scrapbooking and is a great encourager. We have two children, our son Kyle is 12, and daughter Abby is 7. I am the night owl in the family - and stay up too often into the wee hours of the morning scrapbooking. What’s great is that Kyle gets up early every morning, makes himself breakfast and wakes me up about 6:45 so I can shower, send him off to school, and get Abby ready for school and myself out to work. I wonder how many night owl moms have that luxury - but it sure is a blessing. If I have a deadline my family pitches in with cooking and laundry. We all love bird watching and enjoy nature hikes - our town has many trails, including the Ice Age Trail, which is an awesome national trail system, running through areas of our town. It's great!

2) How did you start scrapbooking?
My sister encouraged me to start when we adopted our daughter, Abby. I admit that I resisted her urging for some time as I was focused on designing and making quilts.

3) How long have you been scrapbooking?
In high school I enjoyed cutting out articles, and putting photos and school memorabilia into a memory book, but nothing was acid free or "pretty". Using "real" supplies I have been scrapbooking about 5.5 years. When Abby turned 18 mos. I realized I better get started before I was too far behind, and my son was quick to notice that I needed to do pages of his photos as well. Now both children have an abundance. (LOL)

4) What’s your favorite vacation spot?
Truthfully, I love to be home on vacation time. Some of my favorite vacations have been day trips to a state park or nature preserve, lunch with a view, and being in my own bed at night. Although most memorable was a train ride in Canada seven years ago, and I do have several dream vacation ideas, for the most part, I am a home body like the rest of my family. And I confess...I like to be near my scrapbooking supplies so I can play when everyone else is sleeping.

5) How would you describe your style?
Eclectic. I like curves, details that help tell the story, and enjoy finding or making the right elements. I love to play with paint, ink and/or sparkle mediums - it keeps me young. (LOL)

6) How do you feel about journaling? A lot, a little?
It's interesting how my journaling style has changed. When I began scrapbooking my "problem" was that I journaled almost too much, if there can be such a thing. I have always enjoyed writing, and sometimes would have to create little books or hidden journaling pockets to contain all that I wanted to share. Over the years I have really cut back on the amount I write, but for me - every page has to have journaling. Twenty years from now no one is likely going to remember the meaning or situation behind a photo. I don't want my family, future generations, to look at my pages and wonder what was going on. Having said that, my journaling is sometimes reflective - not necessarily telling why the photo was taken and where, but instead shares thoughts, advice, original poem, or scripture that I want to share with our kids. Someday they may look at these pages and perhaps what I have written will meet them where they are at with a situation they are going through in life. It is my hope it will help them out emotionally or spiritually.

7) Do you have a favorite color? Do you feel it plays an influence in your scrapping?
I have favorite color(s), and could not possibly narrow it down to one - but can say that I am especially drawn to bright colors. Even though I am drawn to gecko green, turquoise, red and orange - the photos I am scrapping will determine the products I choose. I will fully admit that I buy clothes for our daughter, and myself, to go with papers I am eager to use.

8) Do you have your own scrap space? Share a pic…tell us about it.

I'll be completely honest - my scrap space is currently a mess. My husband is nearly done building a custom cabinet, which he started before I was blessed to be on the BoBunny team. I have run out of organized storage, even though my space is in an unfinished basement of which I seem to claim more and more space. When the cabinet is finished I suspect it will become a BoB cabinet, with a few compartments utilized for my small bottles and pots of specialty mediums. I promise to show it off when it is done. Meanwhile, here is a glimpse of my space from 4 yrs. ago - making the most of concrete walls. I love the 12 x4 ft. conference table my husband bought for $20 when the company he is working for had a moving sale. It is very solid, and takes a lot of abuse and nearly killed the two men who had to carry it to the basement. (LOL) A friend, or our daughter, can scrap beside me as long as I clean up my mess.

9) What would be your ideal dinner or dessert? Or both! LOL
My favorite dinner is bulgogi, which is Korean BBQ (click that link for a recipe). Bulgogi is served with rice and wrapped in romaine lettuce leaves to eat. It is extremely delicious, yet doesn’t overly fill one up, which means…. room for dessert! In that regard - just bring on the chocolate in any form!


10) Share your favorite photo and tell us what makes it your favorite?

Every time I see this photo of Jesse taking Abby into his arms for the first time at O’Hare International Airport I relive her “gotcha day”, and the huge wave of emotions we were all riding on. It still tugs on my heartstrings, and tears, seven years later.



11) What or where do you go for inspiration?
I am most often inspired by photos or product, but have been known to sketch an idea and jot some words during a Sunday message at church. A lot of times ideas will pop into my head while I am in the shower (I believe it is because the running water shuts out all other distracting sounds), or into my head during the night. If the latter happens, I need to get out of bed and make notes or I won't be able to return to sleep.



12) How do you start working? Sketch, supplies, photos..
Supplies and/or photos, but never a sketch. I am drawn by either photos or product at the beginning of a project, and once that is determined I go from there. I store my photos in 3 ring binders, with 4x6 in storage pages by Avery; and I use 8.5x11 sheet protectors to store enlargements. Sorted by season, holiday, or portrait - it makes finding the right photos an easy process.


13) What’s your favorite Bo Bunny layout or project?
I really love the crossword puzzle layout I created for last week’s "14 loves" challenge - in part because it was an interactive layout to create with and for my family. If I have to pick one all time favorite, however, and this was a tough choice - it is "Bee-ing Around You Makes Me Smile", which I use on Facebook as my avatar. I love the bright colors of Love Shack and the fact that I am surrounded by my family.






14) What is your favorite Bo Bunny product to work with?
I love BoBunny products because everything I need to create a great project is available. Now, with the new releases - it is even better! But if I had to pick one it would be the patterned paper - paper can be turned into embellishments, title letters - just about anything with a craft knife, punch, die-cut system, glazes and other mediums. BoBunny paper designs are always a perfect fit for my style of papercrafting and storytelling.

15) What other crafts to you enjoy? Or hobbies?
Through the years I have crafted much - cross-stitch, flower making, ceramics, sewing clothes, welding functional garden art with copper pipe, and just prior to scrapbooking, I used to quilt. I hope to someday finish the quilt projects abandoned when I began scrapbooking, which started about the time my sewing machine broke. Fortunately many of my previous craft supplies can be worked into scrapbooking. I inherited an old pink Singer from the 1950s that allows me to stitch on my pages. I do enjoy flower gardening, and especially enjoy nature photography. I also do a bit of digital scrapbooking, and work in hybrid projects now and then as well.

16) Any advice to someone who is just starting scrapbooking?
Be true to yourself. When I began scrapbooking I did as I was instructed and did not enjoy the creative process. I decided to throw out the rules and play to my heart’s content, and scrapbooking has become my mental therapy. If you like a trend, embrace it, but don't do it because Jane Smith is doing it. Don't scrapbook to impress others, but to leave an impression of who you are as a person. In fact, I think that is a good way to live life, and one of the keys to happy creating.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Kids Valentine Crafts..


A little love from little people...

We always seem to make projects and cards to show our children how much we love them but how about a project they can make to show how much they love you? Wouldn't that be cool!! To have something that's been made by them step by step is surely something you would treasure forever!

Here's a step by step for a love glitter globe :) My sons, Ethan and Scott made this one with a little supervision when using the scissors etc...


First of all take your globe and dismantle completely...
Draw twice around the insert onto the back of your patterned paper.
Cut these both out...
and ink the edges.
Ethan chose the large border Martha Stewart heart punches but any punch would do to create a decorative section. Again ink the edges.
Taking one of the strips of stickers from the Love Bug range of papers, lay a strip along the bottom to add detail.
Place your rub on half on and half off the background paper. Dont worry about overlapping bits or hiding other sections. Add extra little details, we added the acorn, flower and gems (you can't go wrong with gems!) ;)
Take 2 photograph and pick a couple of punches that will work well together. My boys chose to use the star punch as a mount. The circle punch was the closest that would cut around the heads but not leave too much background shown.
Punch these out and ink the edges.
Matt your photograph onto your 'shape' and then layer them onto the main backgrounds. We tucked the star points under the heart lattice and spiked up other sections. The boys chose their own sentiments from the Love Bandit stickers.
Place your photographs back to back with the sponge section inbetween (just as it was before you dismantled it) Slot this all back into the middle section of your globe :)
Voila, a perfect gift for the one you love :)
Please share with us what your children are making for Valentines day :)

Love and Hugs
Debbie, Ethan and Scott xxx

Monday, February 8, 2010

A Little Love Around Your Home...

Makes for a Happy House!

Well it's true!

What's sweeter than candy?(mmm....cheesecake!lol...just kidding!) We say filling your home with sweet Valentine crafts.

And especially at this time of the year when we're all dealing with snow, cold, sunless days that often make us wonder if spring will ever come.

Brighten up your spot with some sweet LOVE decor!! We think we've got just the things you need!!









I Love You Wall Hanging
Designer: Julia Sandvoss

Persuasion, Persuasion Blooms, Persuasion Stripe, Persuasion Dot, Persuasion Love Notes, Persuasion My Sweet, Persuasion Moments, Persuasion Combo Sticker, Persuasion Buttons & Bling, Love Bandit Tweetheart, Aquamarine Double Dot Ribbon, My Edgy Chiffon Album

Designer Tip: The My Edgy albums make a perfect item to alter and embellish. This one was a perfect fit and look for the wall hanging. I cut various styles of hearts, layered them with foam pop dots. The center hearts were punched so that they say "I Love You" . I also stitched down the centers of the hearts.







LOVE Letters
Designer: Juliana Michaels

Love Bandit Bee Mine, Love Bandit Love U Deerly, Love Bandit Stripe, Love Bandit Whoo Loves You, Love Bandit Tweetheart, Love Bandit Nuts 4 You, Love Bandit Cut Outs, U Stole My Heart Rub-On


Designer Tips:
Cut out the cute little animals and/ or sayings and use double sided foam tape to give your project more dimension.
Use a paper crimper on striped paper to give it more texture and interest on your project.






Valentine Frame
Designer: Kristen Swain

Bobunny Persuasion- My Sweet, Love Notes, Dot, Blooms, Bobunny Love Bandit- Whoo Loves You, Tweetheart, Adore Cardstock Stickers, Double Dot Cardstock -Coffee Dot, Wild Berry Dot, Persuasion Buttons and Bling, Bobunny Double Dot Aquamarine Ribbon


Stay tune this week for more Valentine Crafts, a kids craft project, cute ways to decorate your table for Valentine's and let's get to know designer Rita Shimniok!

Don't miss a day!!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Layout Challenge Friday's!

That's right!


It's Friday and that can only mean one thing....no not the weekend. (Although that does sound great actually!)

We are officially kicking off our Layout Challenge Friday's!


Our First Challenge involves a number...any guesses to what number we might of chose??? We think you'll figure it out!lol








14 Ways I {heart} You
Designer: Kris Silvester

Persuasion, Persuasion Blooms, Persuasion Stripe, Persuasion Love Note, Persuasion Dot, Persuasion Moments, Blush Dot, Tutu Dot, Wild Berry Dot, Persuasion Buttons and Bling, Persuasion Flowers, Happily Ever After Rub-on





14 Things
Designer: Debbie Nicholas

Bo Bunny Love Bandit Love U Deerly patterned paper, Bee Mine patterned paper, Love Bandit Cut outs, Sweet Pear Double Dot paper, Delilah Button, Glossy Accents, Glitter, Misc Ribbon



Feb 14
Designer: Robyn Weatherspoon

Persuasion Stripe, Persuasion Dot, Persuasion Cut Outs, Persuasion Buttons, Persuasion Combo Stickers, Chiffon Dot Cardstock, Cherished Stamp, Stamp & Store Circle This Date Double Stamp Set





Us
Designer: Rita Shimniok

BoBunny Persuasion: Cardstock Patterned Paper - "My Sweet' Blooms (pink), Dot (green), Stripe (cream), Love Notes (red); Happily Ever After Rub-on; Love Is All Cardstock Sticker, Flowers, SWAK iCandy Brads; Buttons & Bling
Dot Cardstock: Coffee, Blush; Double Dot Ribbon: Wild Berry; Chunky Chipboard Alpha Blush; Chunky Chipboard Swirls & Brackets Wildberry

Designer Tip: The real fun in creating this layout was giving my family the crossword puzzle to do -to see if they could answer everything. Something for everyone, so it was a collaborative effort. Once I stamped all my letters and cut them up - it was a word sort game with Abby. It took some time, but I loved it because it involved family participation.

Visit Rita's Blog to find tips on how to make your own Crossword puzzle, and more project details.




Heartbreaker
Designer: Christine Ousley

Love Bandit Heartbreaker Cardstock Stickers, Love Bandit Cutouts, Love Bandit Buttons and Bling, Love Bandit Tweetheart, Love Bandit Combo Cardstock stickers, Double Dot cardstock Island Mist, Double Dot Cardstock Strawberry Mist



Nuts About You
Designer: Tonya Dirk


Love Bandit Bee Mine, Love Bandit Stripe, U Stole My Heart Rub ons, Love Bandit iCandy Brads, Double Dot Coffee

Today's Challenge is to use the number 14! Your choice of a layout, project or card given the Designers did their magic with a bit of all that as well!

So here's the scoop...incorporate the number 14...whether it's 14 items, 14 buttons, 14 pet peeves of yours...and use your Bo Bunny products! You can email your projects to Bobunnyblog@gmail.com or use Mr. Linky to link us to your work. Please put 14 Challenge in your subject line. And let's have your work in by Sunday, February 14th (of course!) We'll pick a winner who will win 14 items from our Persuasion line. (just kidding...it might be 15!LOL) But we'll send you some fantastic goodies from our beautiful line!

So get busy and join in!!



He's a Little Sneaky....

and he's ABSOLUTELY adorable!

He's the Love Bandit!

Our sweet Love Bandit collection is filled with sweet little animals, hearts, bee's, birds and what has become a design team favorite.....Acorns!


Bo Bunny's Love Bandit line has patterned papers to please! Hearts, stripes, flowers...and judging by these projects today...Love Bandit works for a variety of projects!











Love Bandit Mailbox
Designer: Christine Ousley

Love Bandit Tweetheart, Love Bandit patterned paper, Love Bandit Family Deerest Cardstock stickers, Love Bandit Combo Cardstock Stickers, Double Dot Strawberry Mist, Double Dot Ribbon Brown, iCandy Brads, Cuckoo 4 U
Template by My Time Made Easy





Nuts for you Valentine Treat
Designer: Sherry Wright

Supplies: Love Bandit (Tweetheart, Love you Deerly), U Stole my heart rub-ons, Love Bandit flowers, Family Deerest Cardstock stickers, Tutu double dot ribbon




Family Dearest
Designer: Kristen Swain

Bobunny Love Bandit (Love Bandit, Whoo Loves You, Love U Deerly, Cutouts), Bobunny, Family Deerest Cardstock Sticker, Bobunny Persuasion (My Sweet and Dot), Icandy Touch of Spice Jewels, Wild Berry Dot ribbon

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for our newest challenge involving the number 14!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Sweet & Simple Valentine Gifts

Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching!

Time to start thinking of some gifts you can make for your sweethearts!

Handmade gifts are not only economical but savvy for crafters! After all when you take a look at your supplies...chances are you have just about everything you need to make a fantastic gift that looks like you spent alot of time (and money) on it! And if you don't have everything, then see if you can adapt it to work with the supplies you have. Be sure to share any gifts you make with us! We'd love to see!

Here are three sweet and simple gift ideas to get you started!











Ribbon Headbands
Designer: Kristen Swain

Bobunny Double Dot ribbon- pink punch- , Bobunny Icandy Jewels My Oh My,Bobunny Icandy Jewels Touch of Spice

Designer Tip- Spice up a plain headband with ribbon and gems, glue dots and preglued gems make attaching easy!





Valentine Coupon Book
Designer: Debbie Nicholas

Bo Bunny Love Bandit Love Birds Rubber Stamps, Love Bandit Family Dearest Cardstock Stickers, Cuckoo 4 U iCandy Brads, Strawberry Dot cardstock, Pursuasion Blooms paper, Sweet Pear Dot Cardstock, 5/8 Almond ribbon
.


Valentine Candle Wrap
Designer: Dee Gallimore-Perry

BoBunny Persuasion My Sweet, Adore Cardstock Sticker, Persuasion Flowers, Happily Ever After Rub-on, Holiday iCandy Jewels, Licorice Double Dot Ribbon


We hope this gives you some inspiration and ideas for your Valentine's Day gift ideas!!

And last for today....how about our Sketch Winner!

We have to say that this round of layout sketch entries was amazing! We love seeing your work using our sketches combined with Bo Bunny products! We wish we could award prizes to everyone! However we have just one Snowy Serenade prize to offer and that goes to Rhonda and her beautiful layout...



Rhonda...your layout is simply stunning!!!!! Those paper flowers are just beautiful! Would you please drop us an email at BoBunnyblog@gmail.com!!

And how about some others that caught our eyes! Let's give a shout out to Jemma and her sweet Persuasion layout...


Thanks so much to everyone who joined us on this challenge! Tune in Friday for a new one! And we have two card challenges...see the left side for links to the posts!

See you tomorrow for some Love Bandit!