She's a clever girl...

Who you ask? Well our very own Ranjini, that's who!

Just check out this clever little display piece she made all about her daughter. It is so ridiculously simple (yet stunning at the same time) that I just can't imagine why we never thought of it before.

Supplies:
wood box
Barcelona paper
metal paper fasteners
6" elastics
metal page edge-black lace
mini paper clips
photos plate
checkered knob
vintage number

NOTES on how she did it:
I created a "photo window box". I used a 5 x 7 wooden shadowbox type frame that I bought at Hobby Lobby. I papered it with the gold polka dot Barcelona paper, and then I used my craft drill to drill two holes in either side, plus one in the top. I applied the metal page edges without folding them down so that they created a lacy border on the edges of the box. I wanted it to look like a Venetian window with latticed metal work on either side. I used the 6" gypsy elastics and because they were just a bit longer than I wanted, I threaded the ends through vintage buttons and back into the box, which ended up creating a finished look on the box sides. I wanted to use the elastics like mini "clotheslines" to hang ephemera or photos from. I clipped up photos, a vintage flashcard and more 7gypsies goodies onto the bottom with metal paper fasteners. I finished out the top with a 7 gypsies knob.

We told you...SHE really is a clever girl.

Check it out!

Our friends at BlueMoonScrapbooking loves 7gypsies so much that they are celebrating with a special 7gypsies week filled with lots of great deals, exclusive kits and giveaways. Get the scoop on the BlueMoonScrapbooking blog and at their the online store. From what we hear they will be doing a new gypsy giveaway every day!

In search of Good Junk

So it's time for another episode of "In Search of Good Junk" (our favorite post of the month...because we love looking for junk). Today we are going more up scale in our junk search for three reasons:

1. We love the inspiration we get when we visit this store...
and it really is just as fabulous as it looks.

2. They have an Flea Market type event coming up that
you might want to put on your calendar for Nov.3. We love a store that promotes the Gypsy "lifestyle".

So here's a look at one of our all time favorites...Domestic Bliss
166 W. Main St.
Mesa, AZ 85201
read their blog here
Look at that fabric wall!

Don't you love the little lamp made from a bird cage hanging in front of that fabulous mirror? We did too (so much so, one of us bought it!)

On Saturday Nov 7th, Domestic Bliss is hosting Blissfest Market. So much going on that weekend that you have to read about it here to get all the info.

But instead of talking about it we'll just show you some pictures of the last event...

See what we mean?
So we'll see you there, right? Look for us...we'll be carrying our Gypsy bags!
...and if you find us we'll have a little something for you!

October Guest Artist

Our guest artist this month is Janet Hopkins. Janet has been a long time friend of the gypsies. She is so very friendly, genuine, and talented (and that's just a start). We also know Janet shares a love of junking... finding the beauty in things of the past, things that someone else wouldn't think twice about.

We love that about Miss Janet.
Now just wait till you see what she created...


Janet made this beautiful heart box with a picture of her new sweet baby daughter. The box is a House of 3 kit you can find here. They even give you a discount if you buy more than one! The kit also comes with the big crystal hanging from the bottom.


Polka dotted Terrassa paper from the Barcelona line covers the top of the box. This is one of those papers that you might as well buy an entire pack of 24 because it matches with everything. It really has become a real "go to" paper for all our projects lately.
Janet added Pandora paper behind the picture, then used a Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous large flourish stamp over the print of the paper. If you look close you can see she added strips of solid pink paper tape to the left side of the picture. Some vintage buttons, a sweet little butterfly a wide pink ribbon complete the look.

But wait...Janet changed it up and added long pieces of Victoria paper tape on the sides of the box, finishing it off with a little distress ink (Ranger)
How easy is that? Love, love, love that look.
Such an easy project...really fun and quick too.
Were thinking Christmas again...hum, you too?

Janet started this amazing journey called scrapbooking thirteen years ago and is amazed by how much the industry has grown and evolved in that time. Since finding her passion, Janet's work has been published in all of the major publications as well as the covers of several magazines. She has contributed to over thirteen idea books and has been blessed to have worked with some of the top manufacturers in the business.

Janet is an experienced educator having taught at stores, conventions and events across the world and truly has a talent for teaching people new ways to use the innovative products on the market today. To see more examples of Janet’s work, visit: janethopkins.typepad.com
Janet’s most recent venture is House of 3 with Heidi Swapp and Rhonna Farrer. The site has a funky vibe and has been a true creative collaboration that she is truly grateful for. You can see all of the digital and physical products they have to offer here: www.houseof3.com

Janet lives in North Texas with her husband of thirteen years, Rick, and their four wild but beautiful children who are 11, 6, 3 and 10 weeks.

How about a litle sneak peek?

It's that time of year...time for our fall line to be released. Six new double sided papers...think sea-blue, melon, black and brown...yummy prints and beautiful script. Add in new script paper tape (can you see it in the photo? and that's only one of three new patterns!), a MUST HAVE for every gypsy stash. If you don't know why you would need such a thing, then you just haven't used it yet. You'll see.

The new line will be in stores the first part of November
so until then we will keep posting sneak peeks of the what will be available...VENICE
you're gonna love it.

ATC Tin Challenge

Birthday Memories

by Rachel Carlson

The goodies for the challenge could not have been more perfect timing. I will celebrate my ‘2ND” annual 40th birthday this Saturday. I wanted a way to collect my friend’s thoughts, advice, etc in a special place. The tin would be a great way to capture the day at breakfast and a vintage market for the day.

The Barcelona paper is delish – I love polka dots –
I knew what the outside of my tin would look like right away!
Cut paper to fit tin. In this case I simply cut a 12x12
sheet of paper sized perfectly for the tin.
Use the full length so that you can
add a ‘fold’ around the backside for a clean edge.

I used Super Tape by Therm O Web to ensure a secure hold.
Super Tape is not red; it’s the protective covering for a double-sided tape.
Do not forget to add extra for the flap in back.


Because I love the strips of words on the 97% Complete Sticker-G is for Gypsy,
I thought I would add it to the top of the lid for a complete look of sorts.
The words will also describe the kind of day we will
have at market on Saturday. These stickers give any ‘edge’ a great look!

Now it was time to use the new Paper Tape by 7 Gypsies! This stuff is great. Tears easily, can also be used like the strips of words, etc. My favorite is the Victoria patterned paper tape. You get three different rolls in the package (5yds each); navy with creme polka dots, pink and creme stripes, and one the looks like a measuring tape (that's my favorite). I have been sewing a lot these days so I felt that the measuring tape was a great way to highlight this new love in my life right now.

TIP: For this project, I found that pulling the paper tape off a little at a time as you go around the tin works best. Allow for extra on the end so you can overlap the two OR simply tear at the end for some messy, eclectic flair – like life in my 40’s has been – ha!
I decided to punch a hole in the tin so that I could add a brad. The tin is smooth enough for a Crop-A-Dile to punch a hole right through. It worked best on the side because that was the only way I could fit the Crop-A-Dile to go ‘in’ the tin to punch. If you find another way, please let me know! Of course, you could easily ‘drill’ a hole in the front if you really wanted a brad on the front cover of the tin as I did for the top of the lid.

I stamped the 97% Complete Journal Stamps – Travel on a blank ATC card for the front of the tin. I felt this would be the best way to describe the day. AHEM, my ‘2nd’ ‘annual’ 40th is a big deal after all…in my mind at least. GULP.

I added the backside of the Barcelona paper –Sabadell (the stripes), on the lid... a great contrast to the polka dots. I love double-sided paper!

I then added some Hudson Valley Ribbon around the bottom edge and accented with another brad. I snipped the legs off the brad so that it could lay flat on the ribbon.

Now it was time to play with the ATC tabs and the 6x6 Victoria pad which is also double sided. I feel that paper at this size works best on smaller items, hence the black ATC tabs. Make sure you apply paper to both sides of the tabs so that the notches on the tabs are covered up – you don’t want the notches to get in the way when stored in the tin. These notched tabs are also used for the ATC Revolving Holder. Don’t be afraid to improvise and use them for other things!
I also added paper clips to each tabbed ATC card. It’s best to put the clip on paper first and then add adhesive. This will lock in the paper clip so that it will not come off when taking in/out of tin, etc.

Again, CHEERS for double-sided paper at this size – allowing you to take the guesswork out of what to use on each side. You’ll notice that I also added strips of words from the Gypsy 97% Complete Stickers for the edges to cover up paper cut too short, etc. See, yet another way those strips of words come in handy.


The idea is as follows: I will place a photo (taken at party) of each guest to the non-patterned (save for a few polka dots) side of ATC tabbed card and then they will fill out a blank ATC card with their words of wisdom, advice, etc which will be placed behind the ATC tabbed card – like a file system. The extra ATC tabbed cards will be used for the photos of the day’s festivities. This way I can enjoy a small, yet compact way to store my memories for the day!

Here they are tucked away ready to celebrate the day! Neat, small and simple.


I added a crystal book knob to the top for added flair!
Not intended to be used as the handle to ‘open’ the tin – just decorative.
The hole can be achieved by the simple use of a small drill or other piercing tool.



My tiny tin is all dressed up and ready for the party on Saturday!

Creative cheers,
Rachel

ATC Tin Challenge

We were so inspired by Tena Sprenger's little ATC tin from last months guest artist spot that we decided to challenge two of our fellow gypsies, Vicki Boutin and Rachel Carlson, to create a little something made from the same product. What did we get? Two totally different takes on the ATC tin.
See for your self...

Summer Vacation Accordion Album and Tinby Vicki Boutin

These fun little ATC tins come with the pattern, in this case the tape measures. So all I had to do was add a few stickers, paper, tape and embellishments. To add a fun twist, I pleated the paper on the lower part of the tin to create a ruffle!

The inside of the tin holds an accordion album with photos from our summer holidays. I covered the inside of the lid with a piece of Barcelona gold stripe paper and a sticker from the Gypsy Market Frames and Tags set.
Here is a quick peak at the accordion album and the tin. I add a Binder Ring Dangle (camera) to the front of the book. Just remove the clasp and add a bit of twine.

To create the accordion album, I used a variety of ATC products. Choose the shapes you would like to use and lay them out in a row leaving about 1/8” between each piece. Use the new paper tape to bind the pages together. Once the front side is completed, flip the pages over and bind the seems on the back. Add transparencies over some of the photos (I trimmed the edge with the notches off) and add paper fasteners to hold them in place. Finish off with a few stickers and journaling!

This is a quick way to feature a few of your
favorite moments from your summer holidays!!!

Thanks Vicki!
Come back tomorrow for a look at what Rachel created.
Same tin...totally different idea.

Give Thanks Canvas

The fabulous Jenni Boisvert made this beautiful fall canvas using 7gypsies papers, Gypsy Market chipboard letters and the new fall colors of Shimmerz paint. What a great (and easy) idea this is! Since Jenni is part of the educational team for Shimmerz you can find "how to" photos as well as a tutorial video on the Shimmerz blog. She demonstrates how to make the leaves "pop out" (so simple once you know how to do it) and how to "smoosh" Shimmerz paint for the background of this canvas.
Thanks Jenni for letting us share!

A Gypsy life

As you can imagine, being a gypsy can sometimes influence how we live. So we thought it might be interesting for you to see into some of the homes of our design team and few of our creative friends. Gypsy Life is a new ongoing series about the way we live, things we love and collect and just a hint of what we find inspiring.

Now that we think about it, maybe it's how we live that makes us a little bit gypsy.

Debbie Crouse
head of the design team, organizer extraordinaire, overall genius
(the best house to start the series with because it is what we all aspire to)


this is what you see when you enter...an ever changing display of family photos. Simple chicken wire in the ornate frame fits the gypsy bill.
Vintage cameras stand at attention like toy soldiers ready for battle

As you turn toward the living room you will find this most treasured piece.
A vintage post office with 100 slots for all kinds of gypsy goodness. Wouldn't you like to look inside each of them?

Can you see the collections starting to pop up? suitcases, clocks, little books....just try and count the suitcases in this post alone...and we didn't even photograph all of them!

Deb also collects books with the word gypsy in the title


And last is the family room wall.
All Debs favorite family photographs in a revolving display.


So we hope you like this new series and can find a bit of inspiration here.
We thank Debbie for letting us into her home and sharing some of her collections and obsessions (did you count the suitcases?). And if you like what you saw then venture back to the April archive where we did a feature on Debs studio. There is no better place for true gypsy inspiration...she really should sell tickets.