Illustrated Faith | I Am

I was up on the Illustrated Faith Blog yesterday, sharing a new entry in my Journaling Bible.  I wanted to highlight Exodus 3:14.  I’ve always loved the story of Moses, from beginning to end.  It’s such a great story of God’s guidance and provision for His people.  Moses was the master of excuses, but God had a much bigger plan and used Moses in great ways.
 
Exodus 3:14 is one of my favorite verses.  God flat out tells Moses who He is, and who He wants Moses to tell the people that He is.  A lot of times I feel like Moses, with excuses that don’t really amount to much, in God’s greater plan.  I wanted to pull the phrase I Am from the verse and repeat it in the margin of my Bible.  Repetition is good…it makes us remember.  As a matter of fact, God says it twice in that one verse.  So it’s safe to say, that it’s really important!  It’s easy to forget, that God is I Am, when I’m worried about solving my own problems and I’m not focused on what He has planned for me.

It’s a daily decision to remember, that God is I Am and I am not.  I don’t always let Him take that role, if I’m in a Moses mode and full of excuses.  But I know that God is always faithful and ready to guide me and use me, when I realize I need to listen to Him, instead of coming up with reasons not to listen to Him.

ETSY STORE

Hip Kit Club | We Go Together Like Peas & Carrots

I’m still going strong with the May 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits!  I think I say this almost every week, but it’s like the kits are never-ending!  I wanted to create a long title for this week’s layout, using a mix of the Thickers and letter stickers that are included in each of the kits this month.  So I pulled some of the Thickers, letter stickers and transparent Ampersand from the May 2015 Main Kit and the May 2015 Embellishment Kit.

Before I started placing the title, I wanted to get my photos on the background paper.  I used a 2 inch circle punch, to cut my four photos.  I decided where I wanted each of the photos and then started building the title, by adding the word “Together” first, in the center of the photos.  After I had “Together” in it’s place, I worked on completing the title with the AC Dear Lizzy Woodland Thickers and the Chickaniddy Yippee letter stickers.

Once the title was in place, I went back to my circle punch and cut 2 inch circles from four of the patterned papers included in this month’s Kit.  After punching the circles, I cut each one into fourths, and then mixed up the patterns and put them back into circle shapes on the layout.  I wanted to add some texture to the layout, so I stitched some wonky circles around the pie chart punched circles and my photos.

Next, I started going through my remaining embellishments and placing them in clusters around the pie chart circles.  I used the Evalicious wood veneer phrases from the Main Kit, to give another element of texture to my layout.  And since I was in punched circle mode, I thought it would be fun to stamp the Hello phrase from the Chickaniddy 365 Clear Stamp set, included in the May 2015 Project Life Kit.  I stamped it in Red ink and used my 1 inch punch to punch out the circles.  Then I used foam dots under a few of the stamps, for a little extra dimension on the layout.

I also have a new Process Video to go along with today’s layout, if you would like to check out my full process for putting it all together!

Thanks for stopping by today!

 ETSY STORE

American Crafts | Flower Stationary Set

It's Flowers week on the American Crafts Blog, and yesterday I shared a tutorial for a fun Stationary set.  You can put together a cute and functional stationary set, using several different techniques.  I created a set of four cards with envelopes, using a Dear Lizzy Stencil, some die cut flowers and fun enamel flowers!

1. Place the Serendipity stencil over one of the Die Cut Tags. Use a piece of scrap paper to mask off the tag about halfway up.

2. Use a sponge brush to dab white acrylic paint over the stencil and then carefully remove it to let the tag dry.

3. Cut strips of patterned paper to adhere across the center of the Die Cut Tag.

4. Place the strips in between the painted flower pattern and the bottom part of the tag. Cut off the excess edges.

5. Machine stitch across the patterned paper strip with black thread.

6. Cut 8 die cut flower shapes from patterned paper using your electronic die cut machine or use a flower punch.

7. Layer two of the flowers cut from different patterned papers on the backside of the Mini Cards and Envelopes.

8. Remove the metal brad piece from the Pink Brad flowers and adhere them to the center of the layered die cut flowers.

 

Voila! And you can complete your Stationary set by wrapping a pencil in Serendipity Ribbon and adding a die cut flower to the end of the pencil.

 

 

Supplies: Serendipity (369228) - 12x12 in Stencil, Serendipity (369187) - One Fine Day, Serendipity (369183) - Lucky Stars, Serendipity (369185) - Hello Beautiful, Serendipity (369198) - Very Vanilla, Serendipity (369186) - Summer Breeze, Serendipity (369226) - Premium Ribbon, Serendipity (369224) - Dies, AC Cardstock (370766) - Mini Cards and Envelopes, AC Cardstock (370767) - Mini Cards and Envelopes, AC Cardstock (370768) - Mini Cards and Envelopes, AC Cardstock (370765) - Mini Cards and Envelopes, Bits (370762) - Die Cut Tags, Elements (373339) - Brads

 

ETSY STORE

A Flair for Buttons | On the Set

Camera Flair is always on the top of my list!  I love all of the fun, different camera themes that are available in the A Flair for Buttons shop.  So when I decided to use a selfie photo from my recent filming for Scrapbook Soup TV, I knew camera themed flair buttons were the way to go!

I thought it would be fun to create the whole theme of the page, around the camera idea.  I cut a large camera from Gold foil paper on my Cameo and also cut some smaller shutter die cuts.  I backed the shutter die cuts with different patterned papers, and then use several Flair Buttons from the Shop, to add to the center. 

I love that the Flair Buttons work perfectly with the camera die cuts, to reinforce the theme of my layout!  The Shop is currently on a little vacation, but make sure you visit once it's back open, to check out all of the fun camera flair.  You can find the Point & Shoot Flair, which is one of the ones I used on my layout!

Supplies:  Flair Buttons:  A Flair for Buttons; WIDN Kit:  Felicity Jane; Cut Files:  The Cut Shoppe; Thickers:  American Crafts; Color Shine:  Heidi Swapp; Die Cut Machine:  Silhouette Cameo

 ETSY STORE

American Crafts | Meet Cute

Last week, was one of my favorite weeks on the American Crafts Blog...Mix & Match week!  I love mixing all of my AC collections.  The colors and embellishments always work perfectly together.

How to: Cut a background on your electronic die cut machine or hand cut different sized triangle shapes from various patterned papers. Back the cut outs with the different patterned papers. Add black stitching to some of the triangle shapes. Layer embellishments over your photo. Create a horizontal design across the background,with your photo and a mix of embellishments. Complete your layout by adding Thickers for your title.

Supplies: Rise & Shine (370000) - Rachel, Rise & Shine (370002) - Kylie, Rise & Shine (370026) - Grace Thickers, Rise & Shine (370054) - Chipboard Frames, Rise & Shine (370038) - Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Rise & Shine (370041) - Die Cut Tags, Shimelle (370745) - Wood Buttons, Shimelle (370743) - Die Cut Cardstock Tags, Shimelle (370704) - Grey Floral, Fine & Dandy (370069) - Make a Wish, Fine & Dandy (370073) - Bright Bows, Fine & Dandy (370075) - Stay Wild, Fine & Dandy (370082) - Gleeful, Fine & Dandy (370076) - Oh Joy, Fine & Dandy (370096) - Plastic Bows, Fine & Dandy (37099) - Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Fine & Dandy (370087) - Darling Details Thickers

 ETSY STORE

Illustrated Faith | Psalm 119:105

Earlier this week, I shared a new post and Process Video on the Illustrated Faith Blog!  I wanted to pop in today and share it here on my Blog, too! Since I started working in my Journaling Bible, I’ve loved highlighting some of my favorite verses from over the years.  One of those verses comes from Psalm 119:105.  “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  As believers, we are drawn to light…God is light, light exposes truth, we are the light in the world, light shines in darkness.  I wanted to highlight this verse, using colors, images and words that reference that light.

This is one of those verses that is easy to remember, but one of those I don’t always put into practice.  It’s easy to sum up…God’s Word illuminates our life (our choices and decisions) and guides us in those areas.  But there are those times, that I get distracted by life, by the world, by my own selfishness and sometimes forget that God’s Word contains all of the wisdom I need, to light my way through this life.

I used several techniques to bring “light” to the verse, by working with a burst stencil, Yellow and Orange water color paints, a light bulb cut file and words/phrases associated with light.  I wanted this page in my Journaling Bible to shine bright, as a reminder to follow that light and stay on the path God has set before me. 

There are a lot of things that can pull me from God’s light.  I think of those as artificial light…temporary…bulbs that will burn out and eventually leave me in the dark.  And it’s easy to follow that artificial light, when I stray from God.  But I know that His light is constant and everlasting, and is always there, when I am looking for a path out of the darkness.

 
I have also created a Process Video to go along with this verse, to give you an idea of what went into illustrating this page in my Journaling Bible.

Supplies:

Sunburst Mask

Reeves Water Color Paints

Gelatos

Light Bulb Cut File

Basic Grey Letter Stickers

Bella Blvd. IF Black Pen

Bella Blvd. Word Phrase Stickers

 ETSY STORE

Hip Kit Club | We Were Here

It's time to share my newest layout for Hip Kit Club, using the May 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits.  I've got tons of photos from our recent trip to Cleveland, Ohio, and since we were in the three hour vicinity of Niagara Falls, I convinced hubby that we needed to visit!  I'm so glad we did!  It was totally beautiful and we took one...or a hundred...photos while we were there.  I couldn't wait to get one of the photos on a layout, so I sat down and looked through my May 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits, to see what would work with my photo.  I decided to use the awesome Chickaniddy Crafts 6x6 papers, that are in the May 2015 Embellishment Kit, to create a large hand-cut title for my page.

I cut each of the 6x6 papers to 2x6, and then I just used that height to cut my letters.  After placing the title on my layout, I used my sewing machine to add an outline stitch of each of the letters.

And because I created a large vertical title on the layout, I decided to balance it out by adding my embellishments horizontally across the page, on each side of my photo.  I pulled a little bit of everything, to work into the design, including the Evalicious alpha stickers and puffy stickers, and some of the Bits from the Pink Paislee ephemera pack and the Pink Paislee chipboard embellishments.  These are all included in the May 2015 Project Life Kit, the May 2015 Embellishment Kit, and the May 2015 Main Kit.

I love how all of the colors from this month's Kit, mix together so easily!  I'm also excited about the new June 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits!  It's got some great travel themed products, so I'm looking forward to creating some fun road trip layouts next month!!

 ETSY STORE

Pinkfresh Studio May Guest Designer Layouts

I was so excited to be invited to be the May Guest Designer for Pinkfresh Studio!  I loved being a part of the Design Team last year, and couldn't wait to work with one of the new embellishment Kits!  
 

Live Life to Express:

The idea for this layout started with the fun die cut frame in the May 2015 Kit.  I knew I wanted to cut a couple of these and use one as a spot for my layout title.  Before I added my photo, layers and embellishments, I sprayed the White background with Yellow Color Shine and added some Black splatters.  Then I layered several patterned papers from the Up In the Clouds collection behind my photo strip.  I wanted to keep everything clustered around the photos, so I added the die cut frames, flair buttons, wood veneers and epoxy stickers.  I wanted a fun design to go along with the photos of my daughter and her silly face!

 

 

Slushie Love:I love that the colors in the May 2015 Kit coordinate so well with the Up In the Clouds collection.  I took everything out of the Kit, and decided which products I wanted to work with for this layout.  Then I grabbed the Up In the Clouds collection and punched circles from one of the patterned papers, to create my background.  Since I used a larger photo on this layout, I wanted to make the products from the Kit prominent also, so I used a horizontal design to add them across the layout.  I really loved the end result, with the photo on the left hand side of the page and the title and embellishments balancing out the other side of the layout.

So make sure you stop by the Pinkfresh Studio Shop to check out the May Embellishment Kit!   These Kits have lots of great embellishments, that will work perfectly with what you already have in your stash!

  ETSY STORE

American Crafts | A Mother's Love Is Never Done

Mother's Day comes once a year, but our job as mother's never ends!  This past week we celebrated mothers on the American Crafts Blog, and I wanted to create a Mother's Day themed layout, but had already used the photos from last Mother's Day.  But a Mother's Day layout doesn't have to just be about a Mother's Day photo...print a photo of you with your family, your kids, or things you do everyday as a mother, and document it on a layout!

How To:  Die Cut a large heart shape on White cardstock.  Back the hearts with various patterned papers from the Serendipity collection.  Machine or hand stitch around the heart design.  Use a mix of the Woodland Thickers and Colorful Confetti Thickers, to add your title around the heart design.  Add your photo to the center of the die cut design.  Layer with Bits, Stickers and a Watercolor Word phrase.  Finish embellishing around the die cut design with Bits, Stickers, Puffy Stickers and Enamel Dots.

Supplies:  Serendipity (369189) - Lucky Love, Serendipity (369184) - XOXO, Serendipity (369203) - I Heart You, Serendipity (369187) - One Fine Day, Serendipity (369217) - Pleather Bows, Serendipity (369213) - Puffy Stickers, Serendipity (369215) - Enamel Dots, Serendipity (369218) - Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Serendipity (369220) - Watercolor Words, Serendipity (369210) - Phrases & Letter Stickers, Serendipity (369211) - Accent & Phrase Stickers, Fine & Dandy (370086) - Woodland Thickers, Fine & Dandy (370088) - Colorful Confetti Thickers

ETSY STORE

June 2015 Hip Kit Reveal

It's time for the new Kit reveal for Hip Kit Club!  The June 2015 Hip Kit has some awesome travel themed products, and I love the colors!  Check out all of the Kits that are available!

HIP KIT CLUB – JUNE 2015 – (main kit)
Hip Kit Club Member Price:  $29.95
(requires a 3 month minimum subscription) CLICK HERE to join!
Individual Kit Purchase Price:  $34.95

Products Included:

• 1 sheet Elle’s Studio – Let’s Eat – Meal Planner Paper
• 1 sheet Pink Paislee – Atlas – Altitude Paper
• 1 sheet Pink Paislee – Atlas – Latitude Paper
• 1 sheet Fancy Pants Designs – Summer Fun – Floral Paper
• 1 sheet Fancy Pants Designs – Summer Fun – Sandcastles Paper
• 1 sheet Fancy Pants Designs – Making Waves – Blazing Paper
• 1 sheet Crate Paper – Poolside – Snow Cones Paper
• 1 sheet Simple Stories – Summer Vibes – Shine On Paper
• 1 pkg. Crate Paper – Poolside – Twilight Thickers
• 1 pkg. Crate Paper – Poolside – Glitter Ephemera
• 1 pkg. Crate Paper – Poolside – Glitter Chipboard Frames
• 1 roll Freckled Fawn – Navy Triangle Washi Tape
• 1 pkg. Crate Paper – Poolside – Layered Embellishments
• 1 pkg. – Crate Paper – Journey – Cork Stickers

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HIP KIT CLUB – JUNE 2015 EMBELLISHMENT ADD-ON KIT

Price:  $27.95*
*Hip Kit Club members receive a 15% off on all Add-On Kit purchases

Products Included:

• 1 sheet Elle’s Studio – Teal Mini Alphabet Stickers
• 1 pkg. Crate Paper – Poolside – Sunkissed Thickers
• 1 pkg. Pink Paislee – Atlas – Guilded Silver Foil Thickers
• 1 pkg. – Fancy Pants Designs – Summer Sun – Tags
• 1 Shimelle – True Stories – Camera Stamp
• 1 sheet – Freckled Fawn – Glitter Chipboard Stars
• 1 pkg. – Evalicious – This Way – Wood Veneer Vol. 1 Shapes

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HIP KIT CLUB – JUNE 2015 – COLOR ADD-ON KIT

Price:  $29.95*
*Hip Kit Club members receive a 15% off on all Add-On Kit purchases

Products Included:

• 1 jar – Ranger – Clear Embossing Powder
• 1 jar – Ranger – Orange Opaque Embossing Powder
• 1 Avery Elle – Raspberry Pigment Ink Pad
• 1 Avery Elle – Daisy Pigment Ink Pad
• 1 Shimelle – True Stories – Burst Acrylic Stamp
• 1 pkg. Crate Paper – Confetti – Hooray Chipboard Thickers

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HIP KIT CLUB – JUNE 2015 – PROJECT LIFE ADD-ON KIT

Price:  $29.95*
*Hip Kit Club members receive a 15% off on all Add-On Kit purchases

Products Included:

• 21 Hip Kit Club exclusive Project Life Cards designed by Kim Watson (6 – 4×6 cards & 17 – 3×4 cards)
• 1 pkg. Fancy Pants Designs – Summer Fun – Insta Pack Die Cuts
• 1 pkg. Evalicious – This Way – Wood Veneer Shapes V2
• 1 pkg. Crate Paper – Poolside – Accent & Phrase Stickers
• 1 pkg. American Crafts – Kitten Thickers
• 1 sheet Elle’s Studio – Woodgrain Mini Alphabet Stickers

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HIP KIT CLUB – JUNE 2015 – PAPER ADD-ON KIT

Price:  $9.95*
*Hip Kit Club members receive a 15% off on all Add-On Kit purchases

Products Included:

• 1 sheet Pink Paislee – Atlas – Altitude Paper
• 1 sheet Pink Paislee – Atlas – Latitude Paper
• 1 sheet Elle’s Studio – Let’s Eat – Meal Planner Paper
• 1 sheet Fancy Pants Designs – Summer Fun – Floral Paper
• 1 sheet Fancy Pants Designs – Summer Fun – Sandcastles Paper
• 1 sheet Fancy Pants Designs – Making Waves – Blazing Paper
• 1 sheet Crate Paper – Poolside – Snow Cones Paper
• 1 sheet Simple Stories – Summer Vibes – Shine On Paper

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HIP KIT CLUB – JUNE 2015 – CARDSTOCK ADD-ON KIT

Price:  $9.95*
*Hip Kit Club members receive a 15% off on all Add-On Kit purchases

Products Included:

• 2 sheets – American Crafts – Denim Cardstock
• 2 sheets – American Crafts – Begonia Cardstock
• 2 sheets – American Crafts – Tangerine Cardstock
• 2 sheets – American Crafts – Fountain Cardstock
• 2 sheets – American Crafts – White Cardstock
• 2 sheets – American Crafts – White Vellum

 ETSY STORE