Prima

Prima's Design Team Call Ends Tonight!

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Just a reminder that applications are due tonight (midnight Pacific Time.) All applicants will receive a verification email as quickly as we can get them out.
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Prima's Final Guest Designer for 2007 is...

...Tracie Hudson from the United Kingdom!

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1. When did you start scrapbooking and how did you get started?
Ever since early childhood I have always enjoyed creating things, but as adulthood approached I never seemed to find time to 'play'. My discovery and love of scrapbooking happened due to my youngest son!!
He was experiencing difficulties within his educational setting so I decided I would home educate him.
To cover the Arts and Crafts curriculum I planned for us to make our own Christmas cards - we paid a visit to our local crafting store to stock up on supplies and that's when my love for patterned papers began!

Like many of the scrapbookers in the UK, I initially started out as a card maker. After searching the world wide web for inspiration I stumbled upon scrapbooking. Since August, 2005, I have scrapped almost daily - especially since I was able to secure a full-time school placement for my son and found myself with my days free to create!

2. From where do you draw inspiration?
Obviously my family inspire me more than anything. Having two active boys who love the great outdoors means I am never short of photo opportunities! We are fortunate enough to live in a rather idyllic location within the UK - the rugged coastline, the beaches and the Moors offer me a great source of inspiration. Since I began scrapbooking I have noticed how much more visually aware I have become - not only that, but all of my senses seem to have become more in tune with one another. I feel I am so much more aware of the colours and textures in my world and often feel like I am living my life on visual overload.

3. Describe your style for us.
I'm never quite sure how to describe my style - it changes so often and is dependent on my mood! My pages can alternate from being really bright and busy one day, to clean and simple the next! As a naturally tactile person I do however tend to use lots of mixed media on my pages - I love my layouts to have plenty of dimension and texture.

4. How do you go about designing a page?
Sometimes I plan my pages ahead and begin by drawing a sketch, other times my pages just happen! When I initially began scrapping I would be inspired by the product first and then search for the photographs to compliment the papers - over the past year this has changed and I now begin with the photograph as my starting point.

5. In general, how long does it take you to do a page?
I'm not the fastest of scrappers and spend approximately  2-3 hours per page. This is dependent on how many interruptions I have from my men folk requesting to be fed and watered!

6. What is your favorite Prima product?
I've seem to have developed a liking for a bit of bling just lately, so I guess my favourite Prima product would be the Say It In Crystals Swirls - Oh! and I love the Paintables too - ermm....can I sneak another in??? I simply adore the Prima Crown Jewel's Collections too!

7. What are 3 other products that you can't live without?
My Crop-A-Dile, Paint and Scissors!

8. What is/was one of your favorite scrapbook trends/fads?
This would definitely be the use of felt on my pages but I also really like to work with transparencies too!

9. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
I would like to say a HUGE Thanks to Sharon and the rest of the guys at Prima for giving me this fantastic opportunity to share my projects with you - more of my work can be seen over on my blog - http://lifeandtimesofa12x12addict.blogspot.com/ - you are more than welcome to pop by and say Hello!

Happy New Year to you all!
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Precious Grace is a soft and feminine layout featuring several papers from the Caliope Collection. A few Say It In Crystals swirls add a touch of bling to this adorable layout! ...............................................................................................................................................

Isn't this CUTE?? Tracie chose an 8.5x11 format for this absolutely precious layout. The Rue 88 black and white paper sets the scene for the bold contrast of the red and white flowers (Sprites, Got Flowers, Hydrangeas, Essentials 3, etc.) Of course, that adorable photo just steals the show (as it should!) .............................................................................................................................................

Tracie pulls out a really snazzy page for us! The Caliope papers are perfect for adding a bit of pattern and color to this design! To pull the focus to one photo simply use a Say It In Crystals frame around it! .............................................................................................................................................

Oooh la la...this beautiful layout is just filled with emotion! The dramatic black Just Us paper is embellished with a sprinkling of Journaling Notebook sheets, while a few black Loft 18 felt flowers and crushed velvet Elysee ribbons make a bold appearance. The Caliope chipboard letters and epoxy stickers finish off the page with a lovely touch! .............................................................................................................................................

A close-up shot shows the dimension Tracie achieved when layering Loft 18 flowers, Elysee ribbons and a few Essentials 3 flowers! Thank you, Tracie, for sharing your talent with all of us! ..............................................................................................................................................

Prima started featuring guest designers in March of 2007. Since we were not able to have international designers on our Design Team we thought it would be extra special to reserve the Guest Design spots only for those talented ladies from around the world. In April our International Guest Designer program started. Since then we have featured designers from a variety of countries: the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, France, New Zealand, the Philippines, Australia and Singapore. Each country showcased brought it's own flavor and style to the designs while using  Prima products. "Thank you, Guest Designers, for sharing your time, talent and passion for scrapbooking with us!" Since we have recently opened the design team call up to international designers we will be revamping the guest spot just a bit. Stay tuned for more information! ..............................................................................................................................................

Some Year-end Fun!

In the mood for a few fun layouts? GREAT!
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Designer Cari Fennell uses a Prima Paintables on a very FUN layout titled, "Giggle Pals!" After coloring the Paintable, Cari added an epoxy sticker as part of her title, tucked a scalloped Prima Pasties note under the photos and set a sprinkling of Christmas Bubbles blue glitter stars across the layout! They certainly set the tone for a very dynamic design! ....................................................................................................................................
Everyone has bubble photos, right?  Cari Fennell chose variety of brightly colored Prima products to complete this eye-catching bubble layout! The fun-loving polka-dotted Sprites and the lime & orange Sprites add the perfect contrast of color. Finish the gorgeous design with a few coordinating buttons and pieces of polka-dotted ribbon for a playful touch!

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Sweet Projects...

Prima has created a few sweet projects that are super easy and tons of fun!
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Most ladies enjoy receiving candles, perfume and bubble bath, right? Well, by using a few Prima embellishments you will add a personalized touch that makes your gift simply sparkle. Why not try a few of these ideas yourself! (As a bonus...the Prima newsletter featuring these projects includes a Crystal Charm coupon for retailers...just in time for Valentine's Day!) ....................................................................................................
Got Bubbles?

This delicate jar of soothing bubble bath makes a beautiful gift using Prima Got Flowers bottles. Simply fill with bubble bath and then decorate.

Supplies:
506582 Got Flowers bottle
519599 Elysee pink embossed velvet ribbon
511517 Say It In Crystals heart charm
bubble bath in any color or scent

Directions:
1. Wash Got Flowers bottle in hot water to remove the sticker. Dry.
2. Fill the empty bottle with bubble bath. Screw the lid on tightly.
3. Tie a knot in the center of Elysee pink ribbon.
4. Attach the Say It In Crystals heart to the ribbon knot (simply use the twist tie included with the charm)
5. Using Fabri-Tac, glue the ribbon around the Prima bottle centering the knot in the front.
6. Give to someone very special!

This is a beautiful, yet economical gift. Not only are you recycling the Prima jar...but you can buy bulk bubble bath to fill the bottle! Once the bubble bath is gone, your recipient can use the charm on a necklace or bracelet.

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Only 5 more days...

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...to get your design team application in!

Full details are right HERE!!

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A Special Message for You!

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May
your
holiday be
filled with
peace,
joy
and
love!
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Last Minute Ideas!

Christmas is just two days away! Don't panic...we have a few last minute ideas that may just help you out.
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It is always handy to have a few extra gifts lying around...just in case! The sample shown here by Sharon Laakkonen is a pre-wrapped box of chocolates. Simply add a few pieces of Elysee ribbon and a layered flower (Use Minnie-Can flowers, a Fancy glitter flower and a red gem) to make this beautiful gift shine! Slip a few leaves from the Christmas Bubbles collection in and you have just created an absolutely stunning gift! ....................................................................................................................................
Run out of Christmas cards? No problem! You can make a few of your own that are simple and beautiful! Print out a few photos (Rita Weiss used a circle pattern for her photo, but a square or rectangle would work too.) Print out desired journaling right onto colored cardstock. Attach a red doily under the photo (or use a scalloped scissors to cut a circle and add gold glitter paint to decorate the edge.). Decorate with a Christmas Bubbles flower and a few leaves. Slip cards into pre-made envelopes. ..........................................................................................................................................
Everyone runs out of gift tags, right? Here is a beautiful tag that you can make right at home that will dazzle your guests! Carla Schauer used a Say It In Crystals frame around her stamped message. She simply added a red hydrangea flower and a few Prima leaves to complete the design! ..........................................................................................................................................
We hope you have enjoyed these last minute ideas! Remember to pull your Prima products out when ever you need a last minute gift, card or tag this holiday season!
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Snazzy Christmas Tags...

...are coming right up!
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Want to add a quick and easy custom touch to your gift wrapping this holiday season? Try making a few of these super fast and easy tags! Simply use any Prima IOD rub-on frames (cut out the inside text first) and apply them right on metallic cardstock. Trim around the rub-on design once you apply it. Then pop the tag up on your package with a small piece of cardboard or foam squares for added dimension! Slip a few Christmas Collection snowflakes and flowers around the tag for a dazzling effect! 

Tags by Brittany Laakkonen.
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Having Fun with Prima Fancies!

Glitter and shine is all the rage right now and Prima has it's very own line of glimmering flowers...Prima Fancies!These flowers come in a variety of FANCY finishes....glittery fabric, shiny vinyl, sheer organza, flocked fabric, as well as textured mesh and burlap and lush silk. Two of our Flower Girls have created a few projects showcasing these fabulous flowers!
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Shawna Webster used a variety of Prima Fancies to add sparkle and shine to these fun cards! Take a peek at the variety of colors and textures this one line of flowers offers for your crafting needs!

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The purple Fancies used on this card are item #518837. Shawna also added a large Loft 18 felt flower and a few Say It In Crystals swirls to this beautiful card!

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See how the glittery Fancies add the perfect amount of sparkle to each design?

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Here is a fun project using Prima Fancies. We are including step-by-step photos just for you! First-collect a few of Prima's coordinating flowers (include some glittery Fancies.)   .............................................................................................................................................

Next- layer the flowers together as desired. You will be attaching these to bobby pins in the next step.

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Third-slip some wire through the flower slits and then wrap the wire around the bobby pin to hold the flowers in place. You may use a hot glue gun for this part. ..............................................................................................................................................

Your decorated flower pins are now ready to wear! Slip them right into your hair or slide them onto a headband for a trendy look! What a simple, but fun project! Flower pins by Brittany Laakkonen.

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Embossed Chipboard Extravaganza!

Have you seen Prima's embossed chipboard products? If not this will be a huge treat for you. Embossed chipboard is fun to use as is....but pull out your art mediums to colorize it and the fun is more than doubled! Our Design Team has created some beautiful projects from our three chipboard products: Embossed mini-albums, Embossed chipboard shapes and Embossed 12x12 sheets. Let's take a peek at the projects and find out the techniques behind each one!
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Designer Michelle Guray used acrylic paint and chalks on this chipboard frame (item #519438). The base is a coat of acrylic yellow paint. Next Michelle used ColorBox cat-eye shaped inks to create some depth to the embossed areas, while a light coat of white paint adds a shabby touch to the edges.

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This adorable card uses an embossed chipboard frame as the base of the card (item # 519438). Flower Girl  Brittany Laakkonen simply used Sakura gel pens to colorize the embossed corner designs. A few coats add shine and glamour to the whole card!

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Designer Wendy Chang create an elegant Prima mini-album by using soft chalks to color the front of her  embossed mini-album (item # 518363). A touch of white acrylic paint softens the look, while Stickles (by Ranger) are used to highlight the embossed areas and add a touch of glitter to the front. Chalks are the perfect medium to experiment with. If you do not like the look simply use a chalk eraser and then start over.

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How about mixing chalk and ink? That is the technique that Flower Girl Sharon Laakkonen used on this Prima album (Item #518387). After applying sage and rose chalks Sharon ran Frayed Burlap ink (by Ranger) around the edges of the album and over each embossed area. At first the ink will seem too dark, but it lightens as it soaks into the chipboard. Next pull out a Sakura Stardust pen to add glimmer and shine. To seal the album spray a light coat of Krylon's Workable Fixatif.

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Designer Tammy Tutterow created this very cool effect using a variety of chalks. After applying all of the chalk colors she lightly sanded areas to create the faded look. A verse was adhered on the first page of the mini-album (Item #518363) so it peeks through the cut-out frame. Tammy inked the edges for more contrast.

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The 12x12 embossed chipboard sheets open up a world of design possibilities! Use one to create a layout using your favorite family photo. Simply drill holes in it and tie a beautiful bow on the top to hang it on the wall. Or frame it for a stunning wall hanging! Flower Girl Cari Fennell created this beautiful layout (Item #521882) using green acrylic paint. After the paint dried she applied black chalk to the embossed areas for a dramatic effect. This sets the stage for an eye-opening layout that has tons of textural interest!

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For a different coloring twist try pulling out your chalks again! This soft and sweet layout by designer Brittany Laakkonen uses pastel chalks to color the Prima chipboard (Item # 521868) and Frayed Burlap ink (by Ranger) to accent the embossed areas. Spray lightly with Krylon's Fixatif before finishing the design. ................................................................................................................................................

We hope this tutorial will inspire you to create some gorgeous designs using Prima's embossed chipboard products! Feel free to try any art medium on them. You will not want to stop once you get going!

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