American Crafts | Love Is a Verb

This week on the American Crafts Blog, the Design Team has been sharing projects using the DIY Shop 2 collection.  I love that DIY Shop 2 includes great neutrals mixed with Gold and a ton of amazing embellishments.  I thought it would be great to pair the collection with a Black & White photo of our son, and bring in touches of the Gold.

 

How to: Cut white cardstock to 11.5x11.5" then adhere to the Gold Foil on Black paper. Splatter black spray mist on the background. Cut the Dictionary on Vellum paper to 7.5x7.5", place in the center of your page, and machine stitch with white thread. Layer your photo over the Chevron Muslin Bag and adhere the bag to the left side of your page. Place one of the Mercantile Tags inside the Muslin Bag. Use the Black Letter Stickers to create the title on your page and stitch your letters onto the page. Use a die cut machine or punch to create heart shapes and place them in the Shimelle Embossing Folder. Once your heart shapes are embossed add them to your layout and finish embellishing with Gold Sticker Hearts, Enamel Dots, and Letter Stickers.

Thanks for stopping in today, and I hope you have a great weekend!!

Supplies: DIY Shop 2 (369024) - Gold Foil on Black Paper, DIY Shop 2 (369029) - Dictionary on Vellum Paper, DIY Shop 2 (370059) - Muslin Bags, DIY Shop 2 (369047) - Mercantile Tags, DIY Shop 2 ( 369129) - Black Letter Stickers, DIY Shop 2 (369051) - Gold Heart Stickers, DIY Shop 2 (369131) - Self Inking Stamp, Shimelle ( 368178) -  Embossing Folder, Serendipity (369210) - Phrase & Letter Stickers Serendipity (369215) - Enamel Dots

Hip Kit Club | Enjoy the Journey & Lovely

Today I have not one, but two layouts to share with you for Hip Kit Club!!  I thought it would be fun to do something a little bit different this week, so I mixed in a few items that I had left in my January 2015 Hip Kit and some Thickers from the December 2014 Hip Kit.  I love how the products fit so easily together and you can extend the life of your kits, by mixing in previous Kits.
 

I started this layout by cutting frames from the WRMK patterned paper and the Webster’s Pages patterned paper and layering them over White cardstock.  Once I had the two patterned papers in place, I used the heart stencil from the January Kit, to add a spray misted heart design on the White cardstock.  I wanted to create a large title on my layout, using the American Crafts Thickers and Journey rub-on from the My Mind’s Eye rub-on pack.  I embellished using a mix of the Crate Paper Chipboard, Evalicious Wood Veneers and My Mind’s Eye Enamel Dots and then pulled in some of the Heidi Swapp Ephemera and the Wood Veneer Frame from the January 2015 Hip Kits.

For this second layout, I wanted to create a lot of layering and a faux Mixed Media look.  The WRMK Secret Crush patterned paper gives you an instant water color look, without having to put a lot of work into it.  But I did want to separate my layers and photo from the background paper, so before I added my elements, I added some Black water color paint to the background.  Then I built my layers, using some of the papers from the WRMK 6×6 Paper Pad included in the February 2015 Embellishment Kit.  To finish my layout I used a few more of the Heidi Swapp Ephemera pieces, Wood Veneer Frame and Elle’s Studio Cork Embellishment from the January 2015 Hip Kits.  They worked great with the Crate Paper Chipboard, Evalicious Wood Veneers and My Mind’s Eye Enamel Dots, included in the February 2015 Hip Kits!  And the American Crafts Dear Lizzy Thickers from the December 2014 Hip Kit, were perfect for adding a little touch of Gold to my layout!

I also created a Process Video for this second layout, if you would like to check it out!!

Soon you'll be seeing projects with the March 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits, so be on the look out for those!

 ETSY STORE

A Flair for Buttons | Hello Magazine Street

Today I'm here to share a layout with you, using some of the newest Flair Buttons that I received a couple of weeks ago! I used a total of 5 Flair Buttons on this layout from 4 different sets: Point and Shoot, Black and White Words1, Just Hearts2, and Capture The Moments.

I wanted to create a layered look on my page, so I started out by adding some watercolors to the background.  Then I cut the Geo To Go background cut file from The Cut Shoppe and placed it over the watercolors.  I also wanted to add some circle elements to my page, and use them to ground my Flair Buttons.  And I also used one of the Flair Buttons as a part of my title and layered it over the photo.

I also have a Process Video for today's layout, if you would like to check it out!!

Thanks for visiting today!! 

Supplies:  Flair Buttons:  A Flair for Buttons; Patterned Paper, Wood Veneers, Puffy Stickers, Epoxy Stickers & Wood Beads:  Pinkfresh Studio; Geo to Go cut file:  The Cut Shoppe; Color Shine:  Heidi Swapp; Enamel Dots:  Freckled Fawn; Thickers & Date Stamp:  American Crafts; Die Cut Machine:  Silhouette Cameo

 ETSY STORE

Scrapbook Expo Guest Spotlight | More to Love

This past Wednesday, I was honored to be in the Guest Spotlight on the Scrapbook Expo Blog.  The post featured some of my favorite layouts, a little bit about me and a new layout, that was created specifically for the Scrapbook Expo Blog.  I shared a sneak here on Wednesday, but wanted to stop in today and share the full layout.  And I just wanted to say thanks to those of you that stopped by the Scrapbook Expo Blog and left some love on my post!!  :)

 

I wanted to create a bold title area down the center of the layout, so I used the Love Letters cut file from The Cut Shoppe and cut the word Love from White cardstock.  Then I used three colors of Gelatos and just blended the color on each of the cut files.  I also wanted to add some stitching, so I used the Amy Tangerine Embroidery Stencil from the Stitched collection, to add three hearts that coordinated with the Gelato colors.  And to create one more layer on the title, I die cut the word Lucky from the Amy Tangerine Stitched Dies and added some machine stitching for a little bit of texture!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today!  I hope you have a great weekend!!

Supplies:  Patterned Paper, Die, Bits, Enamel Dots, Date Stamp, Embroidery Stencil, Thickers & Stickers:  American Crafts; Flair Button:  A Flair for Buttons; Love Letters Cut File:  The Cut Shoppe; Gelatos:  Faber-Castell; Wood Drop Stickers:  Pinkfresh Studio; Paperclip & Enamel Dots:  Freckled Fawn; Color Shine:  Heidi Swapp; Wood Veneer:  Elle's Studio; Die Cut Machine:  Silhouette Cameo

 

Hip Kit Club | Blowin' Kisses

Today I'm stopping in to share a new layout and Process Video with you, for Hip Kit Club!  This is my third layout for the month, using the February 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits.  And I still have a ton of product, to make a lot more layouts!  

One of my favorite things about each month’s Hip Kit, is the variety of ways you can use the products and the different looks you can create on your layouts.  We have two daughters and a son, so I like using product that can be used for feminine and masculine layouts.  So this week, I used some of the Blues, Greens and Blacks from the Kit to create a masculine layout.

I’ve been holding on to the Wild Berry paper from MME, trying to decide how I wanted to use it.  So I thought it would be fun to cut out some of the words, and layer them in the background on my layout.  And that Teal color picked up the color of our son’s shirt in the photos!   I wanted to overlap the photos just a bit, and then I layered the chipboard frame over them and embellished around the photos with some of the Evalicious, MME and Crate Paper goodies.

I really love the dimension that the Crate Paper Chipboard adds to your layouts.  The big camera worked perfectly next to my title, using the American Crafts Thickers.

If you would like to see more on this layout, check out my newest Process Video.

There are so many ways you can use your Hip Kits, so look for ways to make the most out of your Kit.  And if you haven’t checked out the March Kit reveal yet, make sure you visit the Shop, and get yours before they’re all sold out!!

Here's a look at what you'll find in the March Kits!

 

ETSY STORE

Scrapbook Expo Spotlight!

I just wanted to pop in and share a sneak of a new layout that I created for a Spotlight post on the Scrapbook Expo Blog, that is up today!  You can visit the Blog to see the full layout, and some of my other favorite pages! 

I hope you'll stop by and check it out!

ETSY STORE

A Flair for Buttons | You Were Meant to Shine

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a relaxing weekend, and are looking forward to a great week!  I'm excited to stop in today and share a new layout that's up on the A Flair for Buttons Blog today!  About a week ago, I picked up some of the Bella Rouge collection from Pink Paislee at my LSS.  I love the colors...Pink, Yellow, Gray, Black and White!  I knew immediately that I wanted to use some of the Black & White Flair Buttons from the A Flair for Buttons Shop, with this collection.  I chose two of the Flair Buttons from the Blog Hop 2014 Flair and a Vintage camera Flair.

I used two of the Flair Buttons from the Blog Hop 2014 Flair, by adding one to the center of the Let Them Eat Pie cut file at the top corner of my photo and the other as part of the long title.  I layered the cut file over the photo, and thought it added a cute "sunshine" look to the layout, that went a long with the title.  And I wanted to incorporate a third Flair Button, so I thought the Camera worked perfectly in a cluster near the title and photo.  I love the graphic look the Black & White Flair Buttons add to a layout!

 
I love that there is such a great variety of Flair in the Shop!  It would also be fun to try out a Black, White and Gray color scheme on your layout and then look for really bright and color Flair Buttons from the Shop to embellish your layout!  I'll have to store that idea away for future layouts!  :)

ETSY STORE

Hip Kit Club | Home Is the Nicest Word There Is

Today I have a new layout to share with you for Hip Kit Club, using the February Hip Kit & Add-On Kits!  For this layout, I worked with some of the WRMK papers, and decided to add some watercolors to go along with the colors in the paper.  I love that the WRMK 6×6 Paper Pad is included, and I used one of the patterns as the inspiration for my color scheme.

I used my watercolor set, to add a few colors to several of the door images.  Once the watercolors dried, I added my photo, and used the American Crafts Thickers, that are included in the February 2015 Embellishment Kit, to create a long title for my page.

This layout was quick and easy to put together, because the patterned paper and long title did a lot of the work for me!  You can check out all of the details on my layout, by watching my new process video, to go along with this layout!

Thanks for visiting today!  And before you go, here are a couple of sneaks for the upcoming March 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits!!

ETSY STORE

Simple Stories | Love Is In the Air

Today I have two brand new layouts on the Simple Stories Blog, and I wanted to share them here too!  I am having so much fun creating with the new I Am and Say Cheese II collections!  And since Valentine's Day is only a few days away, I wanted to share some "love"ly ideas for creating love themed layouts, with these two collections.

I think we all have a tendency to document what we feel are the "best" photos on our layouts.  But I think it's important to also document the not so perfect photos too.  We want our albums to be a record of memories for future generations, so I think that includes the good and the not so good.  The photo I used definitely isn't perfect.  The kids hair was wind blown and our son had his eyes closed, but I love that it showed the bond between the kids.

I started my layout, with the idea to create the heart circle die cut and add water color paint behind it.  Once I had my die cut paper layered over the dry water color paint, I mounted the White cardstock on the Courageous 12x12 paper.  Then I used my sewing machine to add some messy stitched circles around the heart design.

I thought it would be fun to add some dimension to my photo, so I layered it over one of the Interactive Elements.  After my photo was in place, I started adding embellishments from the I Am collection including Decorative Brads, Enamel Dots and Bits & Pieces.

Supplies Used:
Courageous Patterned Paper:  4505
2x2 and 4x6 Elements Patterned Paper:  4512
6x6 Paper Pad:  4522
Bradz:  4527

6x12 Chipboard:  4528

Bits & Pieces:  4529
Enamel Dots:  4531
Interactive Elements:  4537

On my second layout, using the Say Cheese II collection, I wanted to try out a fun trend that's been popping up lately...String Art.  I cut out the letters for the word Love on my Cameo, and then placed them on my background paper.  I traced around the letters, and then used my paper piercer to punch holes for my stitching.

After I back stitched around the edge of each letter, I randomly criss-cross stitched on the letters using Teal embroidery floss to create the String Art look.  I wanted the title in the center of my page, so I added my photo and embellishing at the top.  I chose the Teal striped patterned paper and embroidery floss, to balance out the Pink that was in my photo. 
 

I also thought it would be fun to create some hand cut letters to finish the title for my page.  I used four different papers from the Say Cheese II 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad and my small scissors to cut out the word This.  Once I had the letters in place, I used my sewing machine to add some stitching.

I also created a Process Video, showing how I put this layout together!  I hope you will check it out and Subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Supplies Used: 
Unique Patterned Paper:  4518
2x12, 4x12 & 6x12 Elements Patterned Paper:  4315
6x6 Paper Pad:  4322

Bradz:  4327

Bits & Pieces:  4329

Enamel Dots:  4331

4x6 Stickers Sheet:  4332

Chipboard Frames:  4338

The I Am collection and Say Cheese II collections would also be great, for some of your Valentine's projects or Cards!

 ETSY STORE

American Crafts | Love Week

It's Love Week on the American Crafts Blog, and today I am sharing a fun Valentine's Day project!  This is a great time of year, to create your own love themed projects for someone special, or some cute Valentine's for your kids.  I created a gift bag, that's perfect for holding some sweets for your sweetie, using a mix of American Crafts products!

How To:

Here are the steps I used for putting my bag together.

1.  Choose the bag shape you want to use.  I found this one in the Silhouette store.  Use a 12x12 sheet of vellum to cut your bag shape.

2.  After your bag pieces are cut, use a pencil to mark another sheet of vellum to fit on the front of your bag.

3.  Use your sewing machine to stitch the measured piece onto the front of your bag.  Only stitch three sides, so you can add in your confetti.

4.  Now you can fold along the perforated lines, to start putting your bag together.

5.  Use a clear drying adhesive to add to the tabs of your bag, once it's folded and hold them in place as they dry.

6.  Use a hole puncher to punch small circles from scrap pieces of paper.  I used the Stitched 6x6 Paper Pad, and used some scrap pieces that I had left over from other projects. 

7.  Drop the punched circles and the heart shape from the Stitched Bits pack in your pocket and then finish stitching the last side.

8.  Now you can add one of the Rub-Ons, Transparent Accent & Phrase Stickers, and Thicker heart to the front of your bag to complete the sentiment.

This bag would be easy to customize for any occasion, using a mix of your American Crafts products!

Supplies:  Stitched (368965) - 6x6 Paper Pad, Stitched (368970) - Accent & Phrase Stickers, Stitched (368983) - Rub-On Transfer Sheets, Stitched (368980) - Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Stitched (368966) - Today Thickers