A Flair for Buttons | Adventure Is Out There

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

I am up on the A Flair for Buttons Blog today, sharing a new layout!  I am typically a small photo kind of scrapper, and usually keep my photo size around 3 inches.  But I thought it would be fun to do a little something different on today's layout and GO BIG!  I decided to print an 8x8 photo and layer my title over the photo, and create embellishment clusters on the sides of the photo, mixing in some Flair Buttons from the Around the World 2 Flair set.

I wanted to add the Flair Buttons on opposite sides of the photo, so I created two embellishment clusters.  To add contrast to the cluster, I mixed in wood veneers, stickers and enamel dots with the Flair Buttons.  I love to have different textures on my layouts, so this is a fun way to mix in several types of embellishments.

Make sure you visit the A Flair for Buttons Shop to check out the Around the World 2 Flair, and all of the other fun travel sets in the Shop!  You'll definitely have fun using the Flair to create eye-catching clusters on your next layout!



Supplies:  Flair Buttons:  A Flair for Buttons; Patterned Paper:  Elle's Studio; Patterned Paper, Cork Embellishments, Bits, Thickers & Stickers:  Crate Paper; Wood Veneers:  Chic Tags & Studio Calico; Tiny Attacher:  Tim Holtz 

ETSY STORE

A Flair for Buttons | Beachy Keen

Hi everyone!  I'm stopping in today, to share a new layout with you, using some awesome Flair Buttons from the A Flair for Buttons Shop!  I mixed several Flair Buttons from the Shop, to create a summer look on my layout.

I wanted to cluster all of the elements on my page, so I created a grid using several large wood veneers.  Once the wood veneers were in place I added my title and embellishments.  And I used the Flair Buttons to create a visual triangle around the page.

I also have a process video to go along with today's layout, if you would like to check it out and see how I put everything together!

If you're looking for some fun summer Flair for your upcoming projects, make sure you visit the A Flair for Buttons Shop!  Here's one of my favorites, which includes one of the buttons on my layout today!

 ETSY STORE

Be You

I'm back today to share another layout for the Color Theory class at Studio Calico, taught by Wilna Furstenberg!  The techniques in the class are so fun, and I'm looking forward to all of the upcoming lessons.  Today's layout, used the painting technique of pairing complementary colors.  I decided to use Blue and Orange, to create a masculine layout.

I started my background, using the Color Theory Deja Blue Acrylic paint.  I kept the darkest color at the top of my layout and then I kept mixing in White Acrylic paint for each new line of color, as I added it down the page.  Since I wanted a lot of the painted background to be visible, I decided to use a vertical design down the center of the layout.  All of my embellishments are various shades of Orange, and I cut the "Be You" title from White cardstock and then used Orange Acrylic paint to alter it.

I'll be back soon with another layout for the class, once the next lesson goes up!  It's fun to play around and be creative, just for the sake of creativity!!

Supplies:  Acrylic Paint:  Studio Calico & Reeves; Tags & Patterned Paper:  Chic Tags; Flair Button:  Pretty Little Studio; Cut File:  Wilna Furstenberg; Wood Drop Stickers;  Pinkfresh Studio; Wood Veneer Stars:  Elle's Studio; Enamel Dots:  Freckled Fawn; Tiny Attacher:  TIm Holtz; Stamps:  American Crafts & October Afternoon; Brayer:  American Crafts; Die Cut Machine:  Silhouette Cameo

ETSY STORE

Creating With Sketches V3 | Crazy Love

It's here!!  Creating with Sketches V3 from Creative Scrappers is now available for purchase!  Kristine Davidson has created some amazing Sketches for her newest EBook, and there are some very talented Ladies sharing inspiration based on the Sketches!  You can purchase the new EBook by visiting the Creative Scrappers Blog, HERE.  And you can save on your purchase by using the code V3Ashley at check out to receive 10% off of the purchase price!

I also wanted to share the layout, that I created for the new EBook!  I always love creating with the CS Sketches, and this one was no exception!

I'm also excited to be one of the advertisers in this new edition for my Etsy store, The Cut Shoppe!  If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, make sure you stop by!  New cut files are added every week, and I used the So In Love cut file on my layout, for the large title!

You will find this layout, along with the Sketch in the Creating with Sketches V3 EBook!  And great inspiration from many talented scrapbookers!  Don't forget to use the code V3Ashley at check out, to save 10%  off of your purchase!

Supplies:  Sketch:  Creative Scrappers; Patterned Paper, Tags, Wood Veneers, Stickers and Flair Button:  Chic Tags; So In Love Cut File:  The Cut Shoppe; Color Shine:  Heidi Swapp; Tiny Attacher:  Tim Holtz; Die Cut Machine:  Silhouette Cameo

ETSY STORE

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

Hip Kit Club | Big Wheels Keep On Turnin'

I am in embellishment heaven, with the July Kits from Hip Kit Club!  Did you know you get the entire ephemera pack from Crate Paper's Open Road collection??!!  So awesome!  We don't travel a whole lot or too far...it's kind of expensive for a family of 5 and usually big time stressful with our 3 crazy kids...but we do get away for a little weekend or day trip every now and then.  I had so cute photos of our son from a trip to Birmingham back in April and knew the Open Road ephemera pack would be great to use on this layout!

 
I love the mix of travel embellishments in the July 2014 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits, mixed with the neutral papers. It was the perfect mix for scrapping these photos of our son from a weekend trip, back in April. I loved that he was just hanging out in front of a train engine, at one of the locations we visited...just being a typical boy. I added several pieces from the Crate Paper Open Road ephemera pack and some of the great travel wood veneers from the Chic Tags Let's Go collection.

I really love the camera themed items included in the July 2014 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits. The October Afternoon Daily Flash collection has some great chipboard camera pieces and fun patterned papers. I chose one of the chipboard cameras and paired it with one of the Crate Paper Open Road frames for my card. There's also great colors in this kit, that give a vintage vibe, and I love the mix of the Yellow, Orange, Light Blue and touch of Black!

It's hard to believe, that it's almost time to start working with the August 2014 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits!!  It's going to be an amazing Kit, and it includes some of the new Shimelle collection from American Crafts and Brighton Pier from Studio Calico!  Here's a look at what's included:

 August 2014 Main Kit

 AUGUST 2014 COLOR ADD-ON KIT

 AUGUST 2014 EMBELLISHMENT ADD-ON KIT

You can visit the Hip Kit Blog, for a specific product list of what is included in each of the Kits and for pricing.  To purchase the August 2014 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits, make sure you stop by the Shop!

ETSY STORE

Pinkfresh Studio | It's All About the Embellishing!

I am back today, to share some new projects with you for Pinkfresh Studio!  I have to admit, that these are two of my favorite recent layouts.  The Pinkfresh Studio products blend in so well, with the products I have on hand and make it so easy to put together great layouts!

I used a circle cut file on this layout, and knew the Neon Brad Stickers and Color Block Wood Veneer hearts would work great in the center of the circles.  And I love the coordinated look of the Brad Stickers and Color Block Wood Veneer Hearts and Arrows with the paper colors on my layout.  I used the Fresh Press Literary Addict Card, as a base for the title of my layout.

Supplies: Fresh Press Cards, Neon Brad Stickers, Color block Navajo Arrows, Color block Hearts
Patterned Paper, Stickers, Chipboard & Brads:  Simple Stories; Color Shine:  Heidi Swapp; Cut Files:  Paige Evans & Studio Calico; Thickers:  American Crafts; Phrase Stamp:  October Afternoon; Tiny Attacher:  Tim Holtz; Die Cut Machine:  Cameo

I love to create small clusters on my layouts, so I mixed in some of the Neon Brad Stickers and Color Block Wood Veneers, with the embellishments from the collection I used on this layout.  The clusters help draw your eye to elements on the page, and guide you around the page.

Supplies:  Neon Brad Stickers, Color block Navajo Arrows, Color block Veneers
Patterned Paper, Wood Veneers, Tags, Flair Button:  Chic Tags; Thickers & Date Stamp:  American Crafts; Color Shine:  Heidi Swapp; Tiny Attacher:  Tim Holtz; Die Cut Machine:  Cameo

 
Purple is one of the colors I find hardest to work with on my projects.  Since the Pantone color of the year was Radiant Orchid, I thought I would take some baby steps and give it a try on my card.  I chose several Purple products from my Pinkfresh stash and used them on a White card base.  I used the Violet Glitter Wash Tape to add a fun design to my card, and chose the Orchid & Gold Foil Alphas for my sentiment.

Supplies:  Orchid & Gold Foil Alphas, Violet Glitter Washi Tape, Way to Home in Pastels, Way to Home in Neutrals

And make sure you don't miss out on the new Stamp sets being released!  They will be available on June 12, and you can see the fun designs HERE! 

Hip Kit Club | Never a Dull Moment

It's a little sad to share the last projects each month for Hip Kit Club, but also really exciting to look forward to sharing what I created with the new Kit for the upcoming month!!  I'm already creating with the June 2014 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits, but I have a final layout and card to share today, created with the May 2014 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits!

When I'm browsing Blogs and Galleries, I always like to keep an eye out for trends. Some I think I would like to try and others I just admire. One trend I've noticed lately is the diagonal paper cut for the left and right side of the layout. I used the White cardstock from the Cardstock Add-On Kit along with the fun circle patterned paper from Heidi Swapp to create my diagonal background. This design worked great for the two photos I had of our daughter. Our photo shoots usually go something like this...50 crazy shots and one good shot (if we're lucky!!). The Plus One Thickers added a nice contrast line, because of the Black letters. I finished my layout by adding several of the Pink Paislee Chipboard pieces.

Most of the time, cards are created for happy occasions, but there can be times that a more sympathetic card is called for. The Rain Rain Go Away sentiment included in the Pink Paislee Hello Sunshine collection stood out to me, when I started working on this card. I used the Gray cardstock from the Cardstock Add-On Kit, and added a transparent look with a couple of the clouds from the Chic Tags Cloud 9 Acetate Tidbits included in the May 2014 Embellishment Kit. And the sequins in the May 2014 Main Kit worked as perfect rain drops for my card.

And just because I'm having so much fun with the June Kits, here are a couple of sneaks of what's coming up!!

 

You can get your hands on the brand new June Kits, by visiting the Hip Kit Club Shop!!

 Etsy Store