Hip Kit Club | Happy Memories

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 have a new layout to share today, using the May 2016 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits from Hip Kit Club.  I used two of our May cut files and a lot of the exclusive products designed by Kim Watson! Both of my patterned papers are exclusives for Hip Kit, and I liked the look of the multi-colored paper for my cut file layered over the subtle Yellow dot pattern.

Kim's May cut file is a fun one, because there are so many things you can do with it! I only used a single photo, so I used the rest of the spaces for a mix of embellishments from the May Kit, along with some PL cards from the May Project Life Kit.

There are a lot of ephemera pieces included in the exclusive pack in the May Main Kit, so I had a variety to choose from for my layout. I mixed in some puffy stickers from the May Embellishment Kit, with enamel dots from Echo Park Paper and Bella Blvd and wood veneers from Jillibean Soup. I really like the different texture and dimension the embellishments add to my layout! 

I also have a new process video to go along with my layout.

Thanks for stopping by today! 

ETSY STORE

 

Illustrated Faith | Child Like Faith

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.
 
Yesterday I was up on the Illustrated Faith Blog, with something a little different!  I used the new Whatever Is Lovely from Bella Blvd. collection to create a layout, instead of working in my Journaling Bible!  When I hear a story, there is always an image or little “movie” that pops in my head, to go along with it.  One of my favorite images has always been from Matthew 19:14, when Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”  During Jesus’ time children were not valued in the same way they are today.  Children worked hard to provide for their families, right along with the adults.  The disciples rebuked those, who were bringing the children to see Jesus, almost as if they were an annoyance and not worthy of Jesus’ time.

But Jesus intervened, and asked that the little children come to Him!  I can see Him bending low to welcome the children and love them as only He could.  And I can also picture the disciples, probably standing to the side, looking a bit confused!!  Most of the time, those guys just didn’t get it!  HA!

I am so glad, that Jesus welcomes children, and to have a church that teaches our children about His love.  They are always so excited to share what they talked about on Sunday mornings in their small groups.  Recently, they attended a week long camp at our church, that incorporated learning Bible verses, signing worship songs, and learning different Bible stories.  On the last day of camp, I snapped a photo of them, right outside the church.

I hope that one day when they are older, the kids can look through my Journaling Bible and learn more about my faith.  But I also want them to remember their faith in action.  What better way to do that, than with their own photos!  I love to create layouts and use paper and embellishments to go along with the story of my photo.  I decided to use the new Whatever Is Lovely collection from Bella Boulevard, to document the photo and add the verse from Matthew 19:14 to the layout.

If you haven’t been able to get your hands on a Journaling Bible, or just don’t feel like it suits you as the creative outlet for journaling your faith, you could give layouts a try.  The photo can even be any photo that you want to use, based on maybe something God has been sharing with you.  And you don’t even have to use a photo at all!  Try a non-photo layout, that’s maybe based on one of your favorite scriptures or worship songs!  There are so many ways to journal your faith!

Supplies: 
Illustrated Faith Whatever Is Lovely Collection by Bella Blvd (coming soon) – Admirable Patterned Paper, Art Prints Patterned Paper, 3×4’s Patterned Paper, Treasures & Text Patterned Paper, Whatever Is Lovely Little Bits, Books of the Bible Little Bits
Illustrated Faith Genesis Collection by Bella Blvd – Bit & Bold Black Eyed Pea, Typed Oh My Heavens, Love It Stickers, Say It – Black & White, IF Pen
Bella Blvd Bell Pepper Enamel Dots | Bella Blvd Punch Enamel Dots | Bella Blvd Guacamole Enamel Dots | Gelatos

ETSY STORE

Zoned Out: Creating Outside Your Comfort Zone | Just Plain Cute

I'm back today, with my second layout in the Video Series, Zoned Out: Creating Outside Your Comfort Zone!  This week I'm taking a look at Mixing Up Your Mixed Media.  I love the look of Mixed Media, but it's not something I try a lot on my layouts.  It can be time consuming, and of course, a little messy, but the results are usually pretty awesome.  For today's layout, I decided to create my background using entirely Mixed Media, which is something I've only done a couple of times.  But surprisingly it all went well, and I really loved the end result of my layout!

You can check out my full process for creating this layout, on today's YouTube video!  And be sure to watch til the end, to see a preview of what's coming up next Monday!

Thanks for watching!

ETSY STORE

Illustrated Faith | Ephesians 1 I Chose You

I am sharing on the Illustrated Faith Blog today, and wanted to stop in and post here, too!

This past Sunday, we began a summer series on the book of Ephesians at our church.  I love going through a series and getting more in depth in a book of the Bible or a topic.  The series focus is living in God's grace and for his purpose, and we started off with a great first sermon.  Our Pastor began with Paul's greeting and spiritual blessings in Christ.  As he was moving through the sermon, he made a statement that really stood out...God chose you.  We were looking at some of the phrases included in verses 3-10 in chapter one, specifically "in Christ", "chose us", "predestined", "adoption" and "in Him".  It's funny how sometimes we know something in the back of our minds, and then when you hear it said by someone else it brings it to the forefront and really tunes you in.  

God chose us...all of us, from the very beginning...before we were even created.  But the question we have to ask ourselves is, "do we choose Him"?  I chose to follow God at the age of 12.  I had been attending church with my grandparents, from the time I was a baby.  And my decision wasn't based on fear or peer pressure, but I knew at that moment Jesus called me to Him and it was up to me what to do with that call.  I answered YES!, and went before my little Baptist church and was soon after baptized.  Was I perfect after that?  Nope, not by any means.  But I did know that I was now adopted into the family of Christ and I had a new identity...a Child of God. 

Now you might wonder where I am going with all of this!  I definitely do have a point to share.  :)  I mentioned that I went to church with my grandparents.  From my earliest memories, I knew I had a strained relationship with my dad...even when I was very little I knew something was off.  We never got along, were never interested in the same things, and basically had a very stand-offish relationship.  Fast forward to my Tenth Grade year in High School.  My parents were in the process of getting a divorce and during this time, I found out that my dad was not my biological dad.  This definitely answered a lot of questions I had over the previous years!  My mom had married him around the time I was 3 years old, and prior to that we had lived with my grandparents.  Now, I knew why I always felt so distant from him.  There was never that early bonding connection, and I had made that connection with my mom and grandparents.  So how does my being saved at the age of 12 come into all of this.  Even though the things I knew...or thought I knew...were changing, I still knew who I was...a Child of God.  There was NO DOUBT who my Father was!  He had been preparing me from the time I was born, by placing me in a family that took me to church to hear His Word and know who He was, so when the time came, I would know who I was in Him!

I've never felt the need to "discover myself" or find out who I really am, after learning that my adopted dad was not my biological father.  We did check with my biological dad to see if he would like to meet me, but we did not.  I haven't had any regrets about that either, because I already had the foundation for a relationship with the Father that never disappoints.  I love the awesome thought of being adopted by God.  He wanted a relationship with me, and he chose me, before I knew I would choose Him.

Supplies:

Illustrated Faith/Bella Blvd. Genesis Kit
Faber-Castell Gelatos
Bloom Kit Stamps
HS Tinsel Color Shine

HS Tropicana Teal Color Shine

Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher  

 ETSY STORE

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

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

American Crafts | When In Doubt Smile

This week on the American Crafts Blog, the Design Team has been focusing on Recycling.  Definitely fitting, with the celebration of Earth Day this week!  It's fun to find ways to recycle on your projects, because we all know the products are fun to use, but sometimes the packaging can be just as fun.  Here's a look at the layout I created, using the True Stories collection from Shimelle.

How to: Create a sewn pocket using clear plastic packaging. I used the Shimelle Enamel Dots packaging to create a small pocket for my layout. Cut the sticky end off of the packing and then stitch around the bottom and two sides. Cut a sentiment phrase from one of the Shimelle patterned papers and place it inside the pocket. Next, use the cardboard backing from the Shimelle Roller Stamp. Cut out the phrase section and then cut out each individual phrase. Now you can adhere the phrases over your plastic packaging pocket. Cut a piece of White cardstock to 11.5x11.5 and mount it on the Salted Caramel background paper. Place a die cut in the background and then layer your plastic pocket and photo to the right hand side of the cut file. Embellish your layout by adding the Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Enamel Dots, Wood Veneers, Wood Buttons and Thickers from the Shimelle collection around your plastic pocket and photo.

Supplies: Shimelle (370712) - Salted Caramel, Shimelle ( 370704) - Grey Floral, Shimelle (370714) - Darjeeling, Shimelle (370701) - Latte, Shimelle (370743) - Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Shimelle (370745) - Wood Buttons, Shimelle (370735) - Enamel Dots, Shimelle (370741) - Wood Veneer, Shimelle (370729) - Hipster Thickers, Shimelle (370737) - Roller Stamp, Shimelle (368170) - Roller Date Stamp, Shimelle Packaging

 ETSY STORE

Journaling Bible Share

Happy Saturday everyone!  We are in for a rainy weekend and apparently a rainy week.  But I don't mind, because I would much rather it be rainy, than bright and hot!  :)  I wanted to pop in today, to share some of the new entries in my Journaling Bible.  I haven't had time to post them here, because things have just been so busy.  But I'm attempting to keep up with everything, even if I have to share it a little bit late!  :)

I won't go in to detail for each one of these, since I have so many to share in this one post.  Next time, I'll try to get them individually posted, so there won't be so many at one time.  

Some short notes to share:  

* The first two entries from Exodus and Matthew were sermons from a couple of churches that we've recently visited.  And we have decided to move from our current church to 3 Circle Church (the first image is from this new church, and it was a series on the Names of God).

* The next two entries were created, based on the Easter story.  The double sided entry, was created based on the Palm Sunday sermon.  He is not here, He is Risen was created, just based on reading over the Crucifixion, Burial and Resurrection.  I love how everything on that single page encompasses everything that Jesus did for us.

* I was inspired to create the 2 Corinthians entry, when I received the Illustrated Faith Newsletter, which included the Grace Alone card.  I printed the card on Vellum, and used some Washi Tape and my tiny attacher to adhere it to the page.  Even though it is layered over the verses on the left hand column, I can easily lift it up, and still see the scriptures.

* If you would like to receive the Illustrated Faith Newsletter, just visit the website and enter your email address to sign up!

ETSY STORE

American Crafts | Rise & Shine Mini Album

It's an exciting week on the American Crafts Blog, because the Design Team is featuring projects using the newest collection from Amy Tangerine, Rise & Shine!  This is such a fun collection and I love the happy colors and cute embellishments.  I used the collection, to create a small Mini Album, documenting a recent weekend trip.

 

1. Choose 3 different patterned papers from the Rise & Shine collection and your photos. Cut your paper to 6 inches wide and 4 inches high.

2. Use a scoring board, score each of your papers at 3 inches, down the center.

 

3. Create a vellum pocket to tuck away memorabilia, by machine stitching around the edges and leaving the top open.

 

4. Add a strip of Washi Tape to the outside and inside pages of your album.

 

5. Use a different color of Washi Tape to tape the vellum pocket and one of the Rise & Shine Die Cut tags into your album.

 

6. Once your pages, pocket, and tag are all put together, run the album through your sewing machine to stitch it all together.

 

 

7. Before adding your photos, use some of the Misting Stencils to embellish the pages in your album. I traced the triangle pattern and used gelatos with the chevron pattern. You can also use the Wooden Stamp set to add a custom look to your album.

 

This type of album would also be great for parties, sports or dance competitions!

ETSY STORE

A Flair for Buttons | You Are Beautiful

One of my favorite things about creating layouts, is that even though I use a lot of the same elements on my pages, I can always get a different look for each layout.  Sometimes I may use a White cardstock background and go with a less busy look, while other times I just go all out and add a lot of patterned paper and embellishments.  I took the latter approach for the new layout I'm sharing today for A Flair for Buttons, using Flair Buttons from the Capture the Moments Flair and the Just Hearts 2 Flair.

I used a patterned paper and printed vellum from the Elle's Studio Cienna collection to create a diagonal design on my layout.  After adding my photo and a printed card for my title, I used that diagonal line to add my Flair Buttons and embellishments.

I decided to add both of the Flair Buttons close to the title and photo, to add weight there and draw your eye.  The Flair Buttons give just the right amount of dimension on the page to make the title and photo the focus when you look at the page.  This is a great way to keep your photo at the center of your layout, when you are working with a busy design!


 

You can find both of these Flair sets currently in the A Flair for Buttons Shop!  And make sure you stop by to check out all of the amazing sets that are listed in the Shop.

Supplies:  Flair Buttons:  A Flair for Buttons; Patterned Paper, Tags, Vellum & Wood Veneers:  Elle's Studio; Gelatos:  Faber-Castell; Ename Dots:  My Mind's Eye; Tiny Attacher:  Tim Holtz

ETSY STORE