Technique Tuesday | Home Grown

Happy first day of April friends!!  It's also NEW Release Day at Technique Tuesday and there are lots of new stamps and dies in the Shop!  I received the Growing Garden Stamp Set and the Growing Garden Crafting Dies.  I combined both of these to create a layout in my Traveler's Notebook.

If you've followed me for a while, you have probably heard me say at least once, that I have a black thumb.  I can never get anything to grow.  Miraculously, I've manged to keep three of my succulent's alive for about a year now.  The Growing Garden Stamp and Die set were perfect for documenting my photo.

I started with the cute watering can from the stamp set and stamped it onto a pink striped patterned paper.  Then I used the coordinating die to cut it out.  I also added the cute butterfly from the stamp set to the center of the watering can.  I wanted to create my title with the Home Grown sentiment, so I stamped it on a 3x4 card from the Spring Market collection by Carta Bella.  I placed the watering can under the title and stamped on the cute lady bug to complete the 3x4 card.

For the left hand side of my Traveler's Notebook layout, I cut my photo to the same dimension as the 3x4 card and placed them side by side.  Then I used a couple of the cute gardening tools from the Stamp set to create a cluster on the left side of my photo.  

Combining the Stamp set and coordinating die makes it so easy to create your own embellishments!  Make sure you visit the Technique Tuesday store to check out all of the new releases and join in the Blog Hop to see what the other Designers created!

Technique Tuesday
Seeka
Dana Kirby
Ashley Horton
Ana Anderson
Kymona Tracey
Natasha Kara
Allison Arbour
Daniela Dobson
Amy Kolling
Latisha Yoast
Norine Borys
Yasmin Diaz

Technique Tuesday | Follow Your Heart

Hi friends!  I am excited to be a Guest Designer with Technique Tuesday for the months of March and April!  There are so many fun Stamps and Dies in the Shop!  I received the Essential Stitched Labels Die set and used them to create a Traveler's Notebook layout.

I decided to pair the Dies with the American Crafts New Day collection by Dear Lizzy.  I thought it would be fun to use the 6x6 patterned papers with the Dies, since this size has a smaller pattern on it.  I cut several of the Die shapes from the two smaller ones that are included with the set.  Then I arranged them in my Traveler's Notebook to create a custom background.

Right now, I currently have a Tim Holtz Sidekick, which is a smaller manual die cut machine.  It worked perfectly with the two smaller Dies, but I had to get creative to use the larger one.  I decided to trace around the outside edge and the inside edge of the large Die.  Then I cut it out and used my paper piercer to punch holes around the inside line.  Then I hand-stitched with White embroidery floss.  I love the texture this adds to the layout.

I saved most of my embellishing for last, because I knew the Essential Stitched Labels Die set would be perfect for adding different embellishments.  I used a mix of die cuts, chipboard and fussy cut phrases from the collection to embellish the Dies.  And, I wanted to leave some of the shapes without embellishments, to emphasize the cute patterned paper.

I hope you've found some fun inspiration for using the Essential Stitched Labels Die set on your project. 

Traveler's Notebook Layouts

Post contains Affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase.

Happy Friday, friends!  I've been working away in my July Studio Calico Great Escape Traveler's Notebook, and I've got several layouts to share with you today.  I am using the July TN to document July, but I will be using the August Golden Hour TN to document June.  And I'll have links for you, to the products I've been using from the SC shop!

HELLO SUNSHINE:  July Great Escape Traveler's Notebook Kit, 4x6 Summer Stamp,
Color Theory Lemon Zest Ink Pad,  Color Theory Mint Hint Ink Pad

I love the pre-printed papers that are included in the TN insert!  They make it easy to just pick your favorite and what coordinates with your photo and start creating.  I also needed...wanted...had to have the 4x6 Summer stamp designed by bananafishstudio.  That Hello Sunshine sentiment was just too cute!

LOVE IT HERE:  July Great Escape Traveler's Notebook Kit, Week Washi Tape, Heidi Swapp Color Shine

I kept this layout a little more on the simple side.  I wanted the photo layered over the pre-printed heart page, and kept the color scheme more neutral.  And, funny side story...the days of the week washi tape is a new one that I got a few weeks ago and my favorite ever.  Apparently Baxter really likes it too, because one of the kids left it on the floor in the bedroom, and he chewed up the whole roll!!

ON MY DESK:   July Great Escape Traveler's Notebook Kit

Since I'm documenting photos for the month in my SC TN inserts, I thought, hey I need to have a layout for the photo of my SC Printables too!  The Printables on this layout come from the monthly Workshop that goes along with each new TN Kit.   This layout came together quickly and I love the brightness of the layout!

SUNDAY LUNCH:  July Great Escape Traveler's Notebook Kit, 6x8 Max Outlined Alpha

It's hard to pick a favorite from all of the TN layouts I've done so far, but I think this one probably is the winner winner, chicken dinner!  This fruit paper in the TN insert is SO CUTE.  I thought it would be perfect for this photo of the kids entertaining themselves at the restaurant while we were waiting for our food.  And it was fun to mix the ink colors for my title, using the Max Outlined Alpha stamp.

WEEKEND STORIES:  July Great Escape Traveler's Notebook Kit, 4x6 Spread the Love Kraft Phrase Stickers, Icons and Arrow Stickers, Feed Your Craft Let's Eat Stamp

Surprise!  Another layout about food!!  Yes, I am one of "those" people who likes to take pictures of their food.  :)  This was a fun layout to put together, with all of the stamping on the left side of the TN.  I am not a stamper on my layouts, but I'm really loving it in the TN!

I hope you enjoyed checking out all of the layouts I've worked on over the past week, and that you've been inspired with some new ideas to try out on your projects!!  One of my favorite things about paper crafting, is the fact that ideas and inspiration are relevant to different projects, whether you're a scrapbooker, card maker, work in Traveler's Notebook, create home decor projects or whatever your favorite crafting hobby might be!

Traveler's Notebook | Pool Rules

Who's happy it's Friday??!!  I know I am!  We're half way through summer and we've taken a couple of trips over to the neighborhood pool.  Honestly, it's been too hot even to go to the pool!  HA!  I've made sure to take some photos of the kids while we've been there, because I love documenting summer layouts.  Today I have a new layout in my Traveler's Notebook, with a full page photo from one of our trips to the pool.

  
It's so fun to use a full page photo in the TN!  I loved this photo of our oldest daughter and the Teal color of the pool water.  I placed it next to a Yellow patterned from Pink Paislee to give a bright contrast.  I also incorporated the Crate Paper Oasis stamp set and some of the fun puffy stickers.  You can find some of the Oasis collection HERE in the Scrapbook.com store.

Before creating this layout, I had the idea in my head to fussy cut these cute frames from the Pick Me Up patterned paper from Pink Paislee and stamp inside each one.  After fussy cutting the frames, I machine stitched around each one before adding it to the layout.  I used three of my favorite Color Theory Inks from Studio Calico to stamp phrases inside each frame, with the Oasis alpha stamp. 

And like I said before, I am having so much fun using my stamps in the TN, so I had to bring in one more.  The sun design from the Studio Calico Alfresco 6x8 stamp worked perfectly with the theme of this layout.  I stamped it in Black ink to make it really stand out on the spread.   

I finished the layout with a few Oasis stickers, and added some texture with my tiny attacher.  And I used the White alpha stickers from the Pinkfresh Studio Simple & Sweet collection to add the title.  I found THIS fun Washi Tape from an Etsy shop and just had to have it!  I love the way it looks and placed it in the bottom corner, layered over my photo. 

What are your favorite moments to document?  Everyday moments are definitely my favorite!!

Traveler's Notebook | There Goes My Hero

If you've had a chance to stop by my Blog this week, you're probably wondering if you're in the right place.  You normally expect to see 12x12 layouts when you stop by my Blog, but lately it's been all about Traveler's Notebooks!  You're definitely in the right place, and I'm excited to share new projects with you!

I have been away from posting on my Blog for the past couple of months, but I'm planning to be back on a more consistent basis.  There are two reasons for that:

1.  For a while, I was on several Design Teams and keeping up with my own DT and Etsy shop, that I just couldn't find the time.  And with all of the social media channels out there these days, sometimes certain ones get neglected.  Now that my DT commitments are more manageable, I have more time to focus on other areas of the crafty community.

2.  Because I am a WAHM and I consider paper crafting to be my favorite hobby, but also my at home job, I want to be able to share what I'm creating with you and the products I'm using.  I will never share anything with you, that I don't love myself.  Some of the products I use on my projects are purchased by me and some are provided from companies that I've worked with or purchased from for years.  You may run across affiliate links in my posts, which means I just make a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase while visiting that site.  And if you're like me, you probably can't resist awesome scrappy purchases every once in a while...or a few times a week!  HA!

So, with all of that out of the way, I've got a new Traveler's Notebook layout to share with you today.  And I'll tell you a little bit about why I'm so in love with documenting in a TN.

 
If you're wondering why the switch from 12x12 to Traveler's Notebooks, here's a few reasons:

1.  The size and they are self contained!  After so many years on Design Teams, I have accumulated quite the stack of layouts.  There were some months where I would be creating 15-20 layouts.  That means lots of Scrapbook albums.  I am not big on clutter, so having Scrapbook albums shoved in all parts of the house is just not appealing to me...currently the reason that almost all of them are at my husband's office.  I have a few at our new house, but they are not something I put on display, so having to store them in a closet just doesn't do it for me.  With Traveler's Notebooks, I could have 10 covers filled with inserts and not make a dent in storage space.

2.  I like to use my stamps in the TN.  You will not find much stamping on my 12x12 layouts.  I usually make a big mess when I'm stamping and just can't ever seem to work them into my layout designs very well.  But I love that they are so easy to use in my TN.  It's another flat embellishment I can add to my TN layout, that doesn't add bulk to the insert.

3.  Journaling.  I am not a journaler on my layouts.  I gave it a try back in the day when I first started, but it just wasn't something I enjoyed doing.  In the TN, I feel like they are easier for me to journal in.  It's just one of those things, it doesn't make sense to me either!  HA!

4.  Time.  Most of my 12x12 layouts are pretty time consuming.  It can take an hour or two to complete one layout.  Documenting in the TN is so much faster, but I still end up with a fun layout and the time to sit down and create.

5.  They are just fun!  

Hopefully this gives you a little more insight into the world of TN.  If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it!

Now, onto some info about my Traveler's Notebook spread.  This notebook is one I am working in for Reese.  Right now, I have one for Madison, Emma, Reese, and an everyday insert that I created after watching a tutorial from Heba Alsibai.  For this layout, I used the center pages.  I wanted my photo to span across both pages.  I snapped this photo on my phone one afternoon, when we were heading home from our swim at the neighborhood pool.

    
For my title, I used a mix of alpha stickers from Pinkfresh Studio and the new Max Outlined Alpha from Studio Calico.  I used the stamp set on a scrap piece of patterned paper and fussy cut each letter to add to my layout.  I also used the Here & Now Stamp on a piece of White card stock and then cut it out, to layer over my photo.  To complete the layout, I grabbed the Wild Child collection from Pink Paislee and embellished with a few stickers.

Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope you enjoyed a look at my new Traveler's Notebook layout!

Tim Holtz Stamp Platform

Hey Friends!  I'm excited to stop in today and share a new product with you!  I got a chance to play with the new Stamp Platform from Tim Holtz/Tonic Studios before it's available in stores.  If you're a beginner stamper or a pro, this is a great tool to add to your craft supplies!  It makes stamping single or layered stamps easy peasy!  I used the Stamp Platform with stamps from Christine Herrin to create a new spread in my Traveler's Notebook.

It's SUPER EASY to use, and here are my top three favorite things about the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform.

• The grid design makes it easy to place your stamps, so they will be straight on your projects.
• The MAGNETS!!  These are awesome, and I love that they hold your paper in place while you stamp.  I was even able to use them with my Traveler's Notebook.
• You can place several stamps at a time and stamp them all at once.  I used Black ink with all of my stamps for this spread, but you could ink each stamp with a different color and have it all stamped at one time.

 

There are so many fun ways to use the Stamp Platform!  It will be coming soon to Scrapbook.com, so make sure you head over and click NOTIFY ME to receive an email when the item is in stock. 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission from any purchases made from product clicks on this post.
 
PRODUCTS USED:

Good Eats Traveler's Notebook & FREE Travel Printables!

Hi there!  It's me again, with a bit more gushing over Traveler's Notebooks!  You're probably tired of hearing about it, but I've finally received my Notebook, and I got to create my first spread!  :)  I also designed a Traveler's Notebook collection for The Cut Shoppe, called Fresh Air.  The papers are sized to 8.5x5.25, and there are a total of 55 printable pieces.  Make sure you read all the way to the end of the post for more information, and check out the download for the FREE Road Rules printable set.

  

Most of what I used, is from the Fresh Air Printable collection.  I added in some Washi Tape from Pinkfresh Studio and Simple Stories.  I also used a paper clip from Webster's Pages, that I clipped to my photo.  The stamps I used are a fun Alpha set from Studio Calico, and I also used a Color Theory ink pad and the Jet Black ink pad from Altenew.

I am so excited with the way my first spread turned out.  It will take a little time to get used to working with a smaller size, since I typically create 12x12 layouts.  I have a new process video to go along with the post too, so make sure you check it out!

 
If you want to grab the Fresh Air Printable collection, head over to The Cut Shoppe Etsy Store.  It's $5.00 and includes 6 printable papers, as well as 3 cut out sheets, for a total of 55 pieces.  You can get the collection at a discounted price through Friday, March 17th, when you check out with the DISCOUNT CODE BLOGHOP30!

And before you go, I have another FREEBIE to share with you!  This is a travel set, and you can download it by clicking on the Road Rules graphic below.  All four colors are included with the download.  

I hope you're enjoying these FREE Printables, and in case you missed the first one, you can download Food Fight, HERE.

If you are using any of the Printables in your Traveler's Notebook or for any of your other crafty projects, I would love to see!  Make sure you tag me @ashleyhorton75 if you're posting on Instagram! 

Traveler's Notebook FREEBIE!

Happy Weekend everyone!  I have currently become obsessed with the idea of Traveler's Notebooks.  Call me crazy...because I don't even have my stuff yet...but I am super excited about working in a TN!  I'm so excited, that I even decided to make some FREE Printables to share with you!

This first set of Printables is a foodie themed set.  I LOVE taking photos of my food, so I thought this would be a perfect first set.  I don't always feel like creating a full 12x12 layout with a photo of my food, but I think the TN will be a great way to document the food photos I snap to share on Instagram.

So here's the deal!  Click on the Food Fight graphic below for the FREE Download.  The files are saved as a PNG image.  And I even have four different color selections for this design.  

  
You can use this Printable set in your Traveler's Notebook, Planner, PL spreads, Layouts, Cards and even digitally!  I hope you enjoy it!  If you're using any of the designs in your projects, I would love for you to tag me if you're posting on Instagram @ashleyhorton75.

Let me know if there are any suggestions you have for Printable sets, and I'll see if I can accommodate!