American Crafts 2014-2015 Design Team Blog Hop!

Today, the new American Crafts Design Team for 2014-2015 is bringing you a fun Blog Hop filled with inspiration and giveaways!!  Make sure you visit all of the Blogs to see what everyone created!

I was *im*patiently waiting for the awesome new Shimelle collection to arrive on my doorstep!!  :)  As soon as I opened it, I got to work on my layout for the Blog Hop, and here's what I created!

    
One of my most favorite things about the Shimelle collection, is the mix of neutral colors, with brighter colors.  I wanted to create a fun layout with a lot of colors and circle elements.  I used the Going in Circles cut file from my Etsy Store, The Cut Shoppe, and added different patterned papers behind the die cut circles.  I used the largest circle as a base for my photo and title and embellished the smaller circles with die cut hearts and Cork Embellishments.

Supplies:  Shimelle (368151) - Baxter, Shimelle (368145) - Herschel, Shimelle (368152) - Haynes, Shimelle (368136) - Goodall, Shimelle (368149) - Curie, Shimelle (368143) - Earhart, Shimelle (368173) - Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Shimelle (368178) - Embossing Folder, Shimelle (368180) - Precision Pens, Shimelle (368175) - Wood Veneer, Shimelle (368166) - Accent & Phrase Stickers, Shimelle (368167) - Cork Stickers, Shimelle (368171) - Photo Overlays, Shimelle (368179) - Dies, Shimelle (368170) - Roller Date Stamp, Shimelle (368164) - Letter Stickers, Thickers (732179) - Basics 

It's time for a GIVEAWAY!  What do you need to do to win??  Just comment on this post, or become a new follower and let me know you did and I will choose a random winner!  Easy Peasy!!  Commenting will remain open until Saturday, September 6th, and I will announce a winner on Monday, September 8th!

And now, it's time to continue on the Hop!  You are heading to Gillian Nelson's Blog next, and here is a complete list of each Blog participating in the Hop!  Leave a comment on each blog, then visit the American Crafts blog to win a fantastic prize! 

American Crafts

Paige Evans

Ashley Horton  <---- You Are Here.

Gillian Nelson

Gina Lideros

Heather Leopard

Nicole Samuels

American Crafts

Thanks for stopping by today, and enjoy the Hop!!

ETSY STORE

Echo Park | Makin' a List

It sure doesn't feel like Christmas where I am, but Echo Park can help you get into the Christmas spirit a little early, with their new Jingle All the Way mini theme collection!  It’s impossible to stay caught up with all of those Christmas photos from year to year, so why not get an early start.  And you can really make your scrapbook pages look amazing by pairing your Echo Park collections with the cut files from the Echo Park shop in the Silhouette store, like I did on today’s layout!

You can use the Silhouette shapes to create custom embellishments for your layouts, that are quick and easy.  When I started my project, the Jingle All the Way Silhouette shapes were not available in the store yet, but there are so many fun ways you can mix and match the collections and shapes.  I used the Ampersand cut file and incorporated it into a long title on my layout.  Here’s a quick tutorial showing how I put my embellishment together.

1.  Select your shape from the Silhouette store and cut each of the parts you will need.  I cut the Ampersand at 2.5 inches and a circle from patterned paper and vellum at 2.75 inches.

2.  Use a small stapler to attach the vellum circle to your patterned paper circle.  Then add pop dots on the backside of your Ampersand shape, and adhere it to the circle.

3.  Embellish your Ampersand with stickers, wood veneers, and enamel dots.

You can also add other Silhouette shapes from the EchoPark store, such as snowflakes.  I cut several snowflakes from white cardstock and added them to the white space on my layout.  I love the white on white look for a completed Christmas layout!

 ETSY STORE

Hip Kit Club | @ Cafe Du Monde

Another month has flown by and it's time to share my last two projects for Hip Kit Club, with the August 2014 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits.  I created 4 layouts and 4 cards with the August kit for my DT work, and I have lost count of the extra layouts I've used the rest of my kit for this month.  They are packed with so many goodies, and I love continuing to work with all of the leftover products in my kit each month!

 
All of the fun Crate Paper Notes & Things cards in the ephemera pack, included in the August 2014 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits, are perfect for creating a grid design. I started my design by placing the large Be Happy card in the top left hand corner and went from there. I love those Gold Buckaroo Thickers, so I used them to create a large title for my layout. I added in some stickers and cork embellishments from the Shimelle collection and used one of the masks from the Studio Calico pack to finish off my layout.

There is so much variety in the August 2014 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits, and I love that all of my layouts and cards have a unique look. For this card, I wanted to use the Shimelle diagonal Black & White paper for my card background. Then I mixed in some softer colors with the Teal and light Salmon. I created a photo theme for this card, by mixing the Transparent negative frame with one of the cork pieces from the Shimelle collection and the Captured tag from the Crate Paper Notes & Things ephemera pack.

Now, I am looking forward to getting started with my September 2014 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits!  They are available in the Hip Kit Shop, so stop by to order yours!!

 ETSY STORE

A Flair for Buttons | Oh Happy Day

Today, I have a new layout to share for A Flair for Buttons!!  I love using a patterned paper, that lends itself to a great design idea!  I started my Oh Happy Day layout by deciding to use three Flair Buttons from the Instalove 3 Flair set and the My Life Flair set 4.  My favorite colors are Yellow and Orange, so these 3 buttons were just calling my name!  And I knew I wanted to use them on a talk bubble patterned paper, that I had from Elle's Studio.

This background gave me a fun base for adding my Flair Buttons and embellishments.  I created a visual triangle with the Flair, by placing them from the top left hand side, to the right hand side of the page and in the bottom center of the page.  I also wanted to ground my Flair Buttons, so I added a small piece of patterned paper under two of them, and a tag with the date under the third button.  And since I love using Talk Bubbles, I added a few extras from the Small Talk cut file in my Etsy shop, The Cut Shoppe!

If you are looking for some Flair Buttons to create with, then make sure you stop by the A Flair for Buttons Shop to pick them up!  Here's a look at both sets and all of the Flair Buttons included in each one!

Supplies:  Flair Buttons:  A Flair for Buttons; Patterned Paper, Tags, Stamps, Letter Stickers, & Wood Veneers:  Elle's Studio; Small Talk cut file:  The Cut Shoppe;  Tiny Attacher:  Tim Holtz; Die Cut Machine:  Silhouette Cameo

Journaling Bible Guest Post

I was recently invited to a Journaling Bible Facebook group started by Shanna Noel.  I've always written and underlined in my Bible, but when I was invited to this group, I discovered a whole new way to bring my love of creativity into note-taking in my Bible!!  Yesterday, I was very excited to share a guest post on Shanna's Blog!  I wanted to post here on my Blog today, and share the full post with you.

I love that God gives all of us our own individual testimonies.  Testimonies may have something in common, but each one is still our own personal experience.  I grew up in church...like my grandparents took me every Sunday from the time I was a baby...grew up in church.  I was saved at the age of twelve.  As I got older, I did the typical rebellious teenager stuff, but remained in church.  Even though I didn't always stay on the right path, I never strayed from attending church.  I even worked in two different church offices for over 14 years, before I became a stay at home mom!  Our current church is only the 5th church I've ever attended, in my span of 40 years.  I believe in finding a church, staying, and being involved.  I remember sharing in our Bible Study class one Sunday, as we were discussing testimonies, that mine was just a typical, boring testimony...no huge revelation, or transformation from a life of drugs or substance abuse.  Our teacher pointed out, that my testimony was just as relevant as any of the drastic testimonials of being saved, because there are other people out there like me, that need to hear the same story.  That even though we grow up in church, we are still separated from God, until we ask Jesus into our hearts.  WOW!  So, that is why I chose to journal Isaiah 6 as one of the first entries in my Journaling Bible, once it arrived.  This is such an amazing description of God's holiness and our separation through sin, until we realize that sin and turn away from it.  And one of the most powerful verses is 6:8 - "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'"  This is the perfect picture of sin separating us from God, repenting, and then doing God's will.  He gives us the tools to go out and share our testimony, when we are willing to say "Here I am!  Send me."

We just started a new sermon series on Building Stronger Families.  My hubby and I are working to instill the Word of God and Christian values in our children.  But honestly, we mess up so many times a day!  I'm not gonna lie..it's not like the Duggar's around here, and we only have 3 kids, not 19!!  There are days of a lot of yelling, or when I feel like putting them out by the road, with a Free Kid sign around their neck.  But, God continues to teach us and help us grow, and I am so glad that our Pastor is sharing this sermon series.  The first week, was based on Matthew 7:24-27, and having our foundation in Jesus.  I can't pray and ask God to make my husband or children perfect.  I need to pray for God to change me and show me how He wants me to be obedient.  And my foundation, can't be my husband or my children.  It has to be Jesus, because only He can fulfill my every need.

    
Do you have a favorite book of the Bible?  After going through a Beth Moore study of Esther several years ago, it immediately became my favorite book.  Here is poor Esther, who kind of gets thrown into a situation she didn't ask for and ends up having to make a huge decision that not only affects herself, but all of her people.  After going through Esther, I learned that we have to decide to be obedient...always.  It can't be a situation based decision, when God calls us to something.  I don't want to come to a situation, and say, "Sorry God, I weighed the pros and cons of what You asked me to do, and I'm just not feeling it today."  But I also love that Esther took time to fast and pray and had others do the same for her, before she tackled going before the King.  Just because God calls us to do something, doesn't mean we have to go in alone.  I love being able to ask for prayers and help from our church family, and know that other Christians are lifting me up in prayer, when I need it.

The last scripture, I want to share from today, is found in 1 Peter 2:11.  It is easy for me to get caught up in the things of the world.  There is always so much going on around us and so much to keep us distracted and busy.  I love listening to Christian songs, that reinforce the message of God's Word.  For some reason, I stink at memorizing scripture, even though I have tried many times.  But give me a song, and I usually know it almost all the way through, by the second listen!  I've always loved Third Day and their song "Alien".  And another favorite is "Where I Belong" by Building 429.  Both of these songs talk about being aliens and strangers here on earth.  I love that these are constant reminders for me, that this home is only temporary, and we can look forward to eternity in heaven.  So sometimes, I have to take a step back from something that I consider soap opera dramatic or too huge for me to handle, and realize that in the grand scheme of things, it's only a teeny tiny fragment of my days here on earth.  Then I can focus on listening to God and how he wants me to handle those situations.  But it's also important for me to remember, that even though this isn't my "home", there is still work to do here and God has a plan for my life and is continuing to work in it daily.

 
If you would like to find out more about the Journaling Bible, you can visit Shanna's Blog and find the Jouranling Bible Community on Facebook HERE.  I am also sharing a FREE Printable that can be used along with your Journaling BIble.  You can find the FREE download HERE on Shanna's Blog.

Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope you have been inspired, and that you enjoy using the Printables!

 ETSY STORE

American Crafts August Gallery

Today, I have two layouts to share with you for the American Crafts August Gallery!  These will be the last "Gallery" layouts, because from now on, all of the Design Team work will be posting on the AC Blog, so make sure you visit to check out new projects!

I had a mix of some new collections, including Shimelle, Crate Paper and Studio Calico, so I created a mix up layout using the patterned papers and embellishments.  All of the American Crafts collections coordinate so well together!  The burst pattern from Studio Calico was such a fun design, so I used it for my full background and kept my layout design more simple.  I didn't want to cover a lot of the background, so the band design across my page was a perfect choice.

What do you do when your favorite collection has been reduced to a pile of scraps...cut a heat background and use them to back some of the hearts!  I only have a few full sheets left from the Plus One collection, so I thought it would be fun to do a die cut overlay on my background paper.  The Heart Felt cut file is in my Etsy Shop, The Cut Shoppe.  I didn't want to back each heart, so I just randomly added different patterns behind some of them.  I love the great pops of color, and that my photo still stand out on the page!

Thanks for stopping in today!

ETSY STORE 

Creative Scrappers Sketch 276 | As Good As It Gets

Today is our new Sketch reveal for Creative Scrappers!  And the CS team is also teaming up with The Cut Shoppe for today's Sketch!  The Cut Shoppe Designers all created layouts based on Sketch #276 and the Creative Scrappers Designers, incorporated cut files from The Cut Shoppe onto their layouts!  Make sure you visit both Blogs today, to see all of the amazing inspiration from both Teams!

I love working with a grid, so this was a fun Sketch and the cut files and Printables, fit right in on my layout!  I used the Borderlines cut file, the Pie Hearts cut file and the Picture This Printable!

You can play along with Sketch #276, and link up on the Creative Scrappers Blog, for the chance to win a $20 Gift Certificate to The Cut Shoppe!  You could also be chosen for our Wednesday Featured Layout!

And don't forget to visit The Cut Shoppe to check out the selection of cut files and Printables!

Supplies:  Patterned Paper, Tags, Letter Stickers & Wood Veneers:  Elle's Studio; Cut Files:  The Cut Shoppe; Thickers:  American Crafts; Color Shine:  Heidi Swapp; Enamel Dots:  Recollections; Tiny Attacher:  Tim Holtz; Die Cut Machine:  Silhouette Cameo

 ETSY SHOP

Scrappy Blog Tour

The Scrappy Blog Tour has landed here on my Blog today!  I've been invited by several talented Ladies to participate, and my scrappy friend Katrina Hunt invited me a couple of weeks ago, and I finally had the time to participate!  So let's get to it!

1.  What am I working on right now?

I've been working on new assignments coming up for American Crafts in September, and this week I've been working on my final two Gallery layouts for August.  These will be coming up on the Blog next week!!

2.  How long does it take to create a project?

I usually like to complete a layout all in one sitting, so I wait until I know that I will have a block of time to completely finish or almost finish my page.  Most of my layouts take anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half to complete.  And once in a blue moon, I can get one done in less than an hour!

3.  What are my favorite things to create with, at the moment?

  
1.  Shimelle's new collection from American Crafts;  2.  Flair Buttons from A Flair for Buttons;  3.  Silhouette Cameo;  4.  Cut Files from The Cut Shoppe;  5.  Monthly Kits from Hip Kit Club; 6.  Heidi Swapp Color Shine

4.  How do I become inspired and stay inspired?

Most of my inspiration comes from product.  I am ADDICTED to paper and embellishments and spray mists and all things scrappy related!  My photos provide inspiration also, especially when they work perfectly with a certain collection.  And I browse Galleries, Blogs and Pinterest to see what fellow scrappers are creating on their layouts.

5.  What is my Signature Style?

I don't have a specific name for my "style", but I know what I like to use.  My layouts are usually going to always include a mix of patterned papers (whether using a solid or patterned paper background), some type of die cut, spray mist, bold title, wood veneers, flair buttons and enamel dots.  I consider these to be my staples for creating a successful layout!  

And now it's time for me to tag three amazing fellow Scrapbookers!  These Ladies all have distinct styles and do great work!  Look for their Scrappy Blog Tour posts next Friday, August 29th!

Mary Ann Jenkins - I love the clean looks, that Mary Ann creates on her layouts!  She adds just the right amount of embellishments and uses White space like nobody's business!  And her heritage layouts are always spectacular!

Amy Mallory - I recently "friended" Amy on Facebook and Instagram.  She is an amazing digital designer!  Every time she posts one of her digital layouts, it always catches my eye!  She also offers awesome digital products at Designer Digitals.

Kali Scrap - Kali is a fellow Hip Kit Club DT member, and I always love seeing what she creates!  Her layout style includes a less busy design, that really packs a punch!  And her cards and projects are fab, too!

ETSY STORE