Illustrated Faith | 1 Corinthians

I had a new post on the Illustrated Faith Blog yesterday, and wanted to stop in and share it here!  I love my family.  I love my home.  I love my church.  I love Jonathan Thulin’s Science Fiction album.  I love my SIlhouette Cameo.  But there’s a funny thing about love that’s based on emotion…it changes.  I will always love my family, but there are extended family members that I don’t show love to because of relationship circumstances.  One day, I could decide I need a bigger, better home or a different church family.  And my current music love or product love, could change when something new and different is released.

But I also know, that there is hope for love beyond our emotions.  Love in Action!  It’s easy to treat love as a noun, but things get a little more dicey when it comes down to treating love as a verb.  If we want to be content and happy in all things that God has blessed us with, we have to put love in action everyday, every hour, every minute and every second.  I know that to keep my family together, we have to choose to love one another, even if we have a fight or disagree on something, or whether the kids have destroyed yet another piece of furniture or stained the carpet.  I have to choose to love the home and church family God has placed me in, to remain content with where He has me right now.  And it’s okay to love the “things” in my life, but I also have to choose to love God more and be okay, if those things are taken away.

1 Corinthians 13 is a well known chapter by most of us.  It was included in our wedding ceremony, as well as in many weddings I’ve attended.  “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Because we are created in God’s image, we share in His characteristics of love.  I have to work on love everyday, but I am so glad that God’s love is unconditional, forever, never failing, enduring, all encompassing, forgiving, and for everyone.

Supplies: 
Illustrated Faith Genesis Collection – Typed Hey Sugar Sugar, Mini Bless Her Heart, Typed Practice What You Peach, Typed One in a Melon, Big & Bold Hey Sugar Sugar, Wordfetti Black, Love It, You Rule Bible Mat
Watercolors

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Hip Kit Club | Lunch @ Ralphie's

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 love the colors of the patterned papers in the July 2015 Hip Kits from Hip Kit Club!  And the patterns are great too.  Perfect for adding color to your layout.  I decided to use a mix of papers from the Main Kit and the July Paper Add-On Kit, behind a cut file, to bring in some color, without overwhelming the page.  The photo on this layout, is from A Christmas Story house, from our visit to Ohio back in May.  I thought the Hip2BSquare background cut file from The Cut Shoppe would go perfectly with the retro look in the photo.

I used the Backyard Lights patterned paper from October Afternoon, for the background paper.  I didn't want a solid background, so this paper was great, because it still had a pattern, but wasn't really busy.  Then I backed some of the open spaces of the cut file and left some spaces open, for the background paper to show through.  And I added one of the Simple Stories chipboard frames from the July 2015 Embellishment Kit, behind my photo, to help it stand out from the background.

I used a few more of the Simple Stories frames around the page, and added a mix of embellishments to the center of each frame.  The Elle's Studio wood veneers and Bits went perfectly with the theme of my layout.  I finished by adding a bit of Black Color Shine, for some contrast on my layout.

This would also be a fun technique to try with the scraps from your Kits.  Those small pieces of patterned paper are great for filling open spaces in cut files!  

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A Flair for Buttons

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 to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.
 
When I started this layout for A Flair for Buttons, I knew which Flair Buttons I wanted to use, but wasn't sure how I wanted to use them.  So I started building my page with the Heart Burst cut file from The Cut Shoppe and choosing my photo.  I used the negative of the cut file and layered my photo to the side of it.  At the center of the cut file, I had a large heart and wanted to fill it in with something...Light Bulb!  I decided to fill the heart in with two Flair Buttons and embellishments from the Crate Paper Poolside collection.

I started by adding the two Flair Buttons first.  I used one of the Black and White Words 1 Flair and one of the Summer Vibes Flair.  Once the Flair Buttons were in place, I filled in the extra space inside the heart, with chipboard, stickers, wood veneers and enamel dots.

 
This would be a fun idea for a larger shape too!  I've got plenty of Flair Buttons, so I might have to save the idea for a future layout!!

Supplies:  Flair Buttons:  A Flair for Buttons; Heart Burst Cut File:  The Cut Shoppe; Patterned Paper, Wood Veneers, Stickers, Wood Buttons, Chipboard & Thickers:  Crate Paper; Color Shine:  Heidi Swapp; Die Cut Machine:  Silhouette Cameo; Enamel Dots:  Freckled Fawn & Teresa Collins

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The Cut Shoppe & CSI | Best Smile Ever

I have a second layout to share this month for The Cut Shoppe and CSI Team Up!  When I saw Case File 171, I fell in love!  The colors were so cute and the perfect collections popped in mind, Cienna from Elle's Studio and Fine & Dandy from Dear Lizzy!

The Rosey Posey cut file from The Cut Shoppe is definitely one on my favorites, so I cut it as a large element for the background.  One of the evidence prompts included something transparent, so I used one of the Gold Confetti vellum papers from Dear Lizzy to layer behind the Rosey Posey cut file.  I machine stitched around the flowers, to secure the vellum in place.  I also used stripes and wood from the evidence prompts.  And I used the word celebrate in my journaling, from the testimony prompt.

I had so much fun designing with the CSI Case Files this month, and there's still time for you to play along!  Stop by the CSI Blog to check out all of the sponsors and The Cut Shoppe is offering a $20 Gift Certificate!

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Hip Kit Club | Life Is Like a Camera

This week, I decided to incorporate one of the Hip Kit Freebie Friday cut files (coming to you in the Hip Kit FB Forum, this Friday) on my layout.  I was inspired by the July 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits, to create a Pinwheel designed cut file.  The colors and patterns are perfect for your Summer layouts, and Summer always makes me think of Pinwheels.  I started my layout, by cutting the Pinwheel cut file on my Silhouette Cameo, from the Crate Paper patterned paper included in the July 2015 Main Kit and the Paper Add-On Kit.

I wanted some color behind the cut file, so I backed it with the bright striped paper from Fancy Pants.  Once my background was completed, I layered my photo over one of the cards in the Project Life Add-On Kit, and then decided to add my title along the circle shape of the cut file.  I used the Crate Paper Thickers and the October Afternoon letter stickers from the Project Life Add-On Kit to create the title.

There are so many fun embellishments in the July Kit, and I couldn’t decide what to use, so I went with a little bit of everything!  I love the Shimelle Cork Stickers from the July 2015 Embellishment Kit, and the Ampersand was perfect to add at the center of the Pinwheel.  I also used two of the clouds from the Cork Stickers, to create a diagonal line, with the clouds and Ampersand.  And the October Afternoon enamel dots are so fun, because of the mix of shapes.  I alternated the dots, hearts and stars around the Ampersand at the center of the cut file.  The Embellishment Kit also includes an October Afternoon phrase stamp, and I used it to stamp around the outside edges of the Pinwheel, in Black ink to add some contrast and define the outside lines of the cut file.

I also have a new Process Video, to go with my layout, so you can see how I put my page together!

If you haven’t had a chance to get your July Kits, make sure you visit the Hip Kit Website!  You definitely want to get your hands on the July Kits, before the August Kits start shipping, because I know you’ll love what’s coming up for August!  And make sure you check the Hip Kit Facebook Member Forum this Friday, to download the Plucky Pinwheel cut file!

And don’t forget about our new Subscriber offer!  You will receive a FREE Paper Add-On with your Subscription!  Just use the Code ashley, when you sign up for your subscription!

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American Crafts | Clothespin Wreath

It's Desktop Essentials week on the American Crafts Blog!  Did you have a chance to check out this fun new collection?  If not, make sure you stop by the AC Blog and visit Monday's post and comment for a chance to win.  I wanted to stop in and share a tutorial for a fun project using the cute Clothespins in this collection.

How To:

1. Cut three 5" circles from chipboard or thick cardstock. Paint one of the three circles with black acrylic paint.

 

2. Use a hot glue gun or strong adhesive to adhere the three chipboard circles together. This will create a stronger base for your wreath.

 

 

3. Once the circles are adhered together, place a 2.5" circle in the center as a guide to place the first row of clothespins.

 

 

4. Place and adhere the first row of clothespins to the wreath base. Leave space in between each clothespin to leave room for the next two rows.

 

 

5. Continue filing in the next two rows of clothespins by placing them in the open spaces until you've completed a burst pattern.

6. Cut the word Hello from chipboard or thick cardstock and from one of the prints in the Designer Prints pack. Adhere the colored paper from the Designer Prints over the chipboard. Add a gold camera paperclip to the letter "L" and use hot glue to attach the word to the wreath.

You could create a variety of fun looks with this type of project and have it tie in to your current home decor!

 

Supplies: Desktop Essentials (370815) - Patterned Clothespins, Desktop Essentials (370816) - Patterned Clothespins, Desktop Essentials (370817) - Patterned Clothespins, Desktop Essentials (370818) - Patterned Clothespins, Desktop Essentials (370793) - Designer Prints, Desktop Essentials, (370822) - Gold Camera Paperclips

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Illustrated Faith | Grace

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

Today, I'm stopping in to share a new post for Illustrated Faith!  Over the Summer, we’ve been attending a study on Grace at our church.  And after 7 weeks so far, Grace is still something that is really hard to wrap my head around.  I really like the way our Pastor defined Grace…receiving what we don’t deserve.  One of the examples he has used that stuck out for me, is that if we asked God for just a crumb and He invited us to sit down at the table and join Him for a feast, that would be Grace.

I think one of the reasons the concept of Grace is so hard to grasp, is because there are no strings attached.  In today’s world, we’re always bombarded with the reminder, that nothing is free.  Usually if someone gives us something, we feel the need to return the favor…whether it’s because we feel like they have an ulterior motive and expect something in return or because we don’t want to feel indebted to someone.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  It doesn’t get any better than receiving a gift from God!  He wants us to accept His Grace, with no strings attached, and in return share that Grace with those around us.  Because if we have received His Grace, how can we not show it to others.

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Simple Stories | Summer, Summer Summertime

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.

I've got two new layouts to brighten your day, using the Summer Vibes collection from Simple Stories!  There's no denying it's Summertime!  And with the warm temps, come popsicles out in the backyard and a lot of time spent in the swimming pool!
I started my first layout, with a die cut, to mimic the look of a large sun and cut it from the Yellow Wood/Grid patterned paper.  Then I backed several of the open spots with patterned paper from the 6x6 paper pad.

Since I had the large circle element at the center of the layout, I thought it would be fun to create a circular title to go around it.  I used Silhouette Studio and my Cameo to create and cut out the title letters from the 6x6 paper pad.  I wanted the title to really stand out on my layout, so instead of adhering the letters directly to the background paper, I added pop dot adhesive to each of the letters before arranging them around the die cut.

I didn't want to cover any of the title letters or the center die cut, so I placed my photo to the left hand side of the layout.  I used one of the Chipboard Frames from the Summer Vibes collection, along with some Bits & Pieces, Stickers and Chipboard Stickers, to draw attention to the photo.

Supplies:

Yellow Wood/Grid Patterned Paper #6320
Just Beachy Patterned Paper #6304
6x6 Paper Pad #6322
Bradz #6327
Bits & Pieces #6329
Chipboard Stickers #6328
Enamel Dots #6331
Chipboard Frames #6338

It took me a while to decide on a design for my second layout, because honestly, the Shine On patterned paper with the Bokeh print is so gorgeous on it's own!  I thought about just sticking my photo in the center of the paper and calling it done!!  But I do love to embellish, so I finally came up with a design that I was happy with and that still let the background paper "shine on".

I wanted a large element in the background, that I could use to ground the frames that I planned to use on the layout, but didn't want to use a large die cut that would cover the background paper.  I decided to go with a large stitched heart, and chose three colors of embroidery floss that coordinated with the Shine On patterned paper.  After I finished stitching around each of the hearts, I added my photo to the center, and the then used the remaining space around the heart, to add the Chipboard Frames.

I debated whether or not I wanted to back each of the frames, but decided to only back the one at the top of the layout.  This allowed the color from the background paper, and the stitching around the heart to show through the frames.  Then I used several embellishments from the Summer Vibes collection to "decorate" each of the frames.  

There are so many fun ways to use the Summer Vibes collection to document all of your Summer activities!  I know I'll be using it for a lot more upcoming Summer layouts! 

Supplies:

Shine On Patterned Paper #6305
6x6 Paper Pad #6322
Bradz #6327
Bits & Pieces #6329
Chipboard Stickers #6328
Enamel Dots #6331
Washi Paper Tape #6335
Chipboard Frames #6338

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Hip Kit Club | Sea Food Eat Food

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 all about food on my new layout this week, using the July 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits from Hip Kit Club!  I love that you can pretty much pull a mini kit out of the mix of Hip Kits, that you receive each month.  I wanted to work with some of the Elle's Studio Let's Eat collection, included in this month's Kit.  I used the Five Stars patterned paper from the July Main Kit and the July Paper Add-On Kit, as my background.

The July Main Kit also includes the Elle's Studio Lets' Eat Bits and Wood Veneers.  These were perfect for embellishing my layout, to go with the food photos.  I added a mix of the Bits and Wood Veneers down the intersecting line of the diagonal pattern, and stitched with my sewing machine.  After the embellishments were in place, I added my photos on the diagonal lines.

For my title, I used the Crate Paper Thickers in the Main Kit and the October Afternoon alpha stickers from the Project Life Kit.  And for a fun touch of journaling, I used the October Afternoon alpha stickers to add the name of the dish with each photo.  I finished up my layout, by adding some of the October Afternoon Enamel Dots and the Shimelle Cork Stickers, that are available in the July Embellishment Kit.

So pop over and take a look at all of the July Kits that are available in the Hip Kit Shop!  I'm sure you'll be inspired to create several different themed layouts, with all of the products that are included this month!

And don't forget about our new Subscriber offer!  You will receive a FREE Paper Add-On with your Subscription!  Just use the Code ashley, when you sign up for your subscription!

 

 

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