Hip Kit Club | Shine Darling

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of ashleyhortondesigns.com. I do receive compensation and material product from Hip Kit Club to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

I’ve had my eye on the Glimmer Acetate Sheet in the December 2015 Paper Add-On Kit from Hip Kit Club, and I just had to use it on my layout this week!  I still have so many goodies from the December 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits, so I thought it would be fun to layer the acetate sheet over the December cut file, and then add my photo and some embellishments over the acetate sheet.

I cut the Heart Strings cut file from the Divine patterned paper included in the December 2015 Main Kit.  I liked the ombre effect of the wood grain fading into the light melon Pink color.  Once the cut file finished cutting, I placed it over a sheet of White cardstock from the December 2015 Cardstock Kit.  Next I placed the Glimmer acetate sheet over the die cut hearts and stitched around the outside edges to attach it to the back ground cardstock.

 
For the top layer of the layout, I added my photo and the Best Day Ever wood veneer from Main Kit, to the center of the layout.  I wanted to have several different dimensions, so I embellished with Chipboard pieces from the Main Kit and Bits from the December 2015 Embellishment Kit.

I completed my layout by adding a title, using the Beautiful Phrase Thickers from the Main Kit.  I also placed a few of the Gold Thickers around the layout to balance out my design.

If you haven’t had a chance to pick up the December cut files, make sure you visit the Hip Kit Club website!  You can download our Free cut files by signing up for an account on the website!

ETSY STORE

Simple Stories Carpe Diem Planner | January 2016

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of ashleyhortondesigns.com. I do receive compensation and material product from Simple Stories to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

WOW!  Tomorrow is the last day of 2015!  Are you ready for the new year?  If you're hoping to get organized in 2016, then the Carpe Diem Planners from Simple Stories are perfect for just that.  They are functional and fun!  I started setting up the month of January in my Coral Planner and wanted to pop in and give you a quick look at it!

I used all of the fun Carpe Diem goodies that can be purchased to go along with the Planner.  And I even mixed in a bit of the I AM collection.  That's the great thing about planners...you can incorporate your scrapbook stash into the Planner, too!

If you're interested in picking up a Carpe Diem Planner, make sure you visit the Simple Stories website, to see all of the available products! 

 

 ETSY STORE

A Flair for Buttons | This Happened

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of ashleyhortondesigns.com. I do receive compensation and material product from A Flair for Buttons and American Crafts to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

Sometimes an idea for a layout pops in my head, and I just have to get the design down on paper.  That happened with the layout I'm sharing today.  I had mosaics stuck in my head for some reason and kept thinking of ways to incorporate the design into a layout.  Since I love the Flair Buttons from A Flair for Buttons and circle designs...I decided to tie the three things together, and here's what I came up with, using the Epic Flair set.

I started out drawing circles on a White cardstock background with the Silhouette Cameo Sketch Pens.  Then I went to work cutting squares and rectangles from the Amy Tangerine Finder's Keepers collection.  I went section by section and added the cut pieces of paper filling in each circle to create a mosaic look.

Once the entire background was finished, I added the What a Story Flair Button from the Epic Flair set to the center circle.  It went along perfectly with the photo and journaling on my layout (which tells about our son loosing his first tooth).  I love to follow the design lines of a circle, so I added the photo and title outside of the second circle.  I also wanted to add in some embellishing, so I used wood veneers, along with the Epic Flair Button from the set.

This was a really fun technique, and it actually turned out the way I wanted it to...which doesn't always happen!  HA!  And it would be a great idea for using up your paper scraps or 6x6 paper pads!  No matter what design you decide on for your layout, there is always the perfect Flair Set in the A Flair for Buttons shop!  While you're there browsing, make sure you check out the Epic Flair set!

ETSY STORE 

December Daily Part 3

I'm back today, with a few more pages from my December Daily!  I finished up through Day 19, but wanted to wait on Day 20, so I would have a Day 21 photo to complete the page.  It's been so nice to keep up with it this year, and I don't feel so overwhelmed.  So here's a look from Day 14-Day 19!!

Now for the final week!  My goal is to have it all finished up no later than December 31st!!
 

ETSY STORE

 

Simple Stories | The Blink of an Eye

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of ashleyhortondesigns.com. I do receive compensation and material product from Simple Stories to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

It can be difficult to find time for crafting during the busy month of December.  We all have Christmas parties, holiday baking, decorating and so much more, that can cause our crafty time to be put on the back burner.  But I have some tips to share, that can help you get a layout or two, done in the blink of an eye!

I created two layouts using the Claus & Co. collection from Simple Stories, and each layout only took around 45 minutes.  That's definitely fast for me, because each of my layouts normally take about an hour and a half to two hours.  My first tip for quick crafting, is let the paper do the work for you.

On my first layout, I used the "I Believe" patterned paper from the Claus & Co. collection.  This paper has a great circle design.  I started out by punching six 2 inch circles from the 6x6 Paper Pad.  I wanted a fast way to add stitching to my layout, and this was the perfect way to do it.  Once the circles were punched, I used my sewing machine to add messy stitching around the edge of each circle.  Then I just placed them over the printed circles on the background paper.

After the sewn circles were adhered, I printed out my photo and cut it into a circle shape also.  I placed it at the top left hand side of the page, and used letter stickers from the Expressions Cardstock Sticker sheet to create a wrap around title.  Then I used the large wood veneer "Ho Ho Ho" phrase beside the photo, to have a large element that would help draw your eye to the photo and title.

Next came my favorite part...adding embellishments!  I went through all of my packs included with the Claus & Co. collection.  I added a mix of wood veneers, enamel dots, Bradz, Chipboard, Bits & Pieces and stickers to each of the circles to finish my layout.

My second layout started out in the same way as the first.  I chose a paper that would cut down on my design time.  I love the overlapping post card look and large Santa on the "Ho Ho Ho" paper, and knew it would be perfect with the Chipboard Frames from the Claus & Co. collection.

This paper allowed me the opportunity for a larger photo and space for six of the Chipboard Frames.  I placed my photo in the lower center of the page and then placed the frames according to the spacing of the post card design on the background paper.  

Now, I had just the right spots for my embellishments and title.  I used the letter stickers from the Claus & Co. collection to add my title to the top center frame.  I love that there are four different types of alphas on the Expressions Cardstock Sticker sheet, because I like to mix the look of the typography on my layouts.  And that's another one of my tips for quick crafting...make use of those coordinating letter stickers.  They are on hand and already coordinate with your page, so it takes the guess work out of adding a title to your page.

And one last "quick" tip...instead of sitting down to create one layout, go ahead and have your photos ready for a second layout and use the same product from your first page.  That's what I did for these two pages.  I already had all of the product on my desk, but was able to use it in a different way on both layouts.  And if we're already at our craft desk, we might as well go for two layouts instead of just one!!

Products:
#4802 - Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers
#4803 - Expressions Cardstock Stickers
#4804 - I Believe Patterned Paper
#4809 - Ho Ho Ho Patterned Paper
#4822 - 6x6 Paper Pad
#4823 - SN@P Pack
#4827 - Bradz
#4828 - 6x12 Chipboard
#4829 - Bits & Pieces
#4831 - Enamel Dots
#4832 - 4x6 Stickers
#4838 - Chipboard Frames
#4841 - Wood Veneer

 

 ETSY STORE

Hip Kit Club | Seriously Cheeky

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of ashleyhortondesigns.com. I do receive compensation and material product from Hip Kit Club to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

It's time to share a new layout with the December 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits from Hip Kit Club!  I thought it would be fun to use some of the products in the December Color Add-On Kit for my layout.  I started out, by coloring the Heidi Swapp Watercolor Words with the Shimmerz Golden Wheat paint.  I just dipped the tip of my finger into the Shimmerz paint and added it to the Watercolor Words, then I set them aside to dry, while I worked on the rest of my layout.

I chose the Maggie Holmes frame paper for my background.  I just love all of those cute frames.  Lots of room for adding patterned paper and embellishments!  I used the Maggie Holmes 6x6 Paper Pad included in the December 2015 Embellishment Kit to cut several patterns that I could add to some of the frames.  Then I stitched around 4 of the frames, that had pre-printed phrases, with different colored embroidery floss.

By this time, the Heidi Swapp Watercolor Words were dry, and I used "Seriously" and "Cheeky" for my title.  Then I placed "Shine" and "Beautiful" around the layout to create a visual triangle.  This helps draw the eye around the layout and down to my photo, which I added to one of the bottom frames.  I finished the layout by adding some of the Maggie Holmes Chipboard and Wood Veneer pieces from the December 2015 Main Kit.

I can't wait to work on some more layouts this month, with the December Kit!  There's so much included, I just want to use all of it!  And if the December Kits aren't fabulous enough, now we've got the January 2015 Kits to look forward to!  They were revealed on the Hip Kit Club Website yesterday, so make sure you stop by to check them out!  You won't be disappointed!

 

ETSY STORE

December Daily Part 2

I haven't given up on my December Daily!!  I'm actually finished through Day 13, and wanted to stop in today, to share from Day 4-Day 13.  I had a little delay waiting on photo paper, and then other stuff taking up my time, but I'm all caught up!  YAY!

I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself, because I made it past my stopping date from last year's December Daily!  HA!  I think I might have made it to Day 4!  I'm going to definitely try to stay on top of things and not get very behind in putting my pages together.  The more time that I let go by, the less chance that it's going to actually get finished!

ETSY STORE

Hip Kit Club | Life Together

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of ashleyhortondesigns.com. I do receive compensation and material product from Hip Kit Club to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

Today, I'm stopping in to share my first layout with the December 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits from Hip Kit Club.  The December Kit is a great way to kick off your new year. There's a mix of Maggie Holmes, Heidi Swapp, Studio Calico, American Crafts, Shimmerz and so much more!

I created my first layout by cutting a large heart from one of the Studio Calico patterned papers. Then I traced the heart onto White cardstock and filled in the space with the Maggie Holmes Glitter Thickers, Bits and Wood Veneers with a few more embellishments mixed in!

I also have a Process Video to go along, with my layout, if you would like to check it out on my YouTube channel!

 

ETSY STORE

A Flair for Buttons | Reindeer Games

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of ashleyhortondesigns.com. I do receive compensation and material product from A Flair for Buttons and American Crafts to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

I love using a new trend, and Nordic patterns have been popping up this Christmas season!  I was originally inspired by a cut file created by the talented Paige Evans, that has a Nordic pattern.  I used a couple of cut files from the Silhouette store to create a background for my layout, that went along with the theme of my photo, title and the Flair Buttons from A Flair for Buttons I chose for the page.  I wanted to use the two reindeer Flair Buttons from the Cork Christmas Flair set, to go with the title I planned to use on the layout.

I used a wood grain paper from the Elle's Studio Good Cheer collection to back the die cut reindeer, so I knew the cork finish from the Flair Buttons would coordinate well with it.  I placed the two Flair Buttons on the sides of my photo, so they would be more prominent against the busier background.

I added my title below the photo, with some Black Thickers.  And you might notice, not all of the letters are the same!  I always run out of the letter "E" so few number 3's turned upside down made a great substitute.  I finished the layout by adding some cork and wood veneer stars to pick up that neutral look from the Cork Christmas Flair.

You can visit the A Flair for Buttons Etsy store, to pick up the Cork Christmas Flair set.  And guess what??!!  There are even some Nordic inspired Flair sets now available in the Shop.  Make sure you check out the Nordic 1 and Nordic 2 Flair sets while you're there!  They will look great on your holiday layouts!

Supplies:  Flair Buttons:  A Flair for Buttons; Patterned Paper, Wood Veneers, Cork Stars, Stickers, Letter Stickers and Cut Outs:  Elle's Studio; Cut File & Die Cut Machine:  Silhouette Cameo; Thickers:  American Crafts; Enamel Dots:  My Mind's Eye; Tiny Attacher:  Tim Holtz

ETSY STORE 

December Daily | Day 1 & 2

I have a confession to make about last year's December Daily album.  It didn't go so well.  HA!  There was just too much to do and not enough time.  But things have been a little less hectic this year and I've been able create my album cover and add Day 1 and Day 2 to the album.  I'm taking an easier approach this year and using a Holiday SN@P Binder from Simple Stories, which includes (2) 6x8, (4) 4x6, (2) 3x4, (4) 3x4/4x6, and (2) 2x2 Pocket Pages.  This is a quick and easy way to get photos, journaling cards and embellishments in your album.  

I wanted to stop in today and share with you, what I have so far.  I'm hoping I will end up with a "daily" album this year, but we'll just have to see how things go on the photo end!

 

I like to do a mix and match style in my December Daily albums, so I didn't focus on one particular manufacturer for all of the product.  The cover includes a mix of Simple Stories, Pinkfresh Studio, A Flair for Buttons, Elle's Studio, My Mind's Eye and Crate Paper.  The two inside pages use mostly Pinkfresh Studio Christmas Wishes collection and Simple Stories Claus & Co collection.

I'll have a post each week with the progress on my album.  Are you creating a December Daily this year?  Have you found any tips and/or tricks that make it easier for you?  It's always great to have time saving ideas during this time of year!  It would be nice to have some of Santa's elves to help out with everything going on during the month of December!!

ETSY STORE

Hip Kit Club | Wonderful

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of ashleyhortondesigns.com. I do receive compensation and material product from Hip Kit Club to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

I'm back on the Blog today with a new Christmas layout, using the November 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits from Hip Kit Club! I love creating a diagonal design, and the diagonal striped paper from Pinkfresh Studio in the November Main Kit worked great for the idea I had for this layout.  I used it to create a large diagonal title on my layout, using a mix of Thickers and letter stickers from the November Embellishment Kit and the Main Kit.

I started by placing my photo, to get a feel for where I wanted the title to go.  Then I started at the top left hand corner and placed the Maggie Holmes Thickers, then added the October Afternoon letter stickers and Pinkfresh Studio puffy alphas.  I also wanted the title to have a large element, so I cut the word Wonderful from one of the custom patterned papers in this month's Kit, designed by Kim Watson.

Once the letters were cut, I added them on the right hand side of the layout and finished the title with the coordinating alphas from the beginning of the title.  Before adding embellishments, I decided to add machine stitching to the die cut letters, to add some texture to the layout.  Then I started adding a mix of embellishments from the November Kits.  I mixed in some of the Wood Veneers, Puffy Stickers, enamel dots, and Pinkfresh Studio Bits.  I also wanted a little more sparkle on the layout, so I splattered some of the Gold Color Shine included in the November 2015 Color Kit.

I hope this layout brings a little Christmas cheer your way!  And if you're looking to make the holidays even merrier, stop by the Hip Kit Club website and sign up for a new Subscription!  A new Kit arriving on your doorstep each month, makes it feel like Christmas all year long!!

ETSY STORE