Memories

One of the really cool things that you will find in your scrapbook kits, is a fun and exclusive cut apart sheet.  Each month this sheet includes an assortment of tags, labels, shapes, and phrases and today I am going to share one way that I like to use them!

Since purchasing an used manual typewriter six months ago, I have been all about typing my journaling and the cut apart sheet is just perfect for this!  I love being able to quickly load my sheet and type my journaling straight away. 

For today's layouts, I used a total of three labels to type a few details from this day. After cutting them out with a pair of scissors, I was able to play around with their placement until I found the right spot for them. The colors in the cut apart sheet coordinate perfectly with the June Scrapbook Kit.

So how do you all like to use the cut apart sheet? Do you like the labels like me or are the phrases more your thing? I would love to hear your ideas! 

Michelle

3 to Inspire

Hi friends, Tara here with another "3 to Inspire" challenge for you. You can find this challenge here every Saturday for those who need a little extra creative push to get scrapbooking, keep scrapbooking or for those who just like a challenge! Don't forget to read through the end to see how you can enter to win some Happy Mail.


My prompts for you today are:

1. stamping a patterned background 
2. adding color with mixed media
3. long journaling/story telling

Here is my finished layout in my traveler's notebook for this challenge:

I recently celebrated my birthday last month. I had some goals I wanted to achieve before this birthday and I realized I haven't reached any of them!!! Instead of beating myself up and feeling sorry for myself, I took this birthday as an opportunity to start fresh. We are always so hard on ourselves and this year I am practicing more self-love. I took this as a great opportunity to share that in my spread here.

I really wanted to work more with some mixed media and decided to break out my acrylic paints that have been sitting barely used. I started with a layer of white Gesso smeared on the page. Then I alternated using blue, coral, and yellow paints on a gift card to get the little smears. I went vertical and horizontal for a more messy, but colorful look. I wanted to tone it down a bit so I added a light layer of Gesso again. Then one more layer in a few places of the three paints. I made sure to use my heat tool (you can use a hair dryer too) to dry each layer. at first I wasn't sure if I would love it but in the end it was just perfect!!

I then added my stamping background using the "XOXO" sentiment from the June GraceBox kit. I wanted to make sure it had the stamp throughout so I stamped around my photo that I already glued down.

I love all the little sentiments in the kit. I added some of the die cuts and a sticker from the kit, as well as an old wood chip piece I had from a previous kit. 

Here is a closer look at my journaling.

I used the washi sample included in the GraceBox kit and the scallop stamp from the Scripture Doodles stamp set. I also drew a box around my journaling. I really love how well the Illustrated Faith pens work on top of mixed media. They are truly the best ever.


I'm completely smitten with the gold and cork hearts in the Sprinkles kit this month - I wish I had a lot of extras for my stash! I used one of the heart leatherette stickers I had left over from a kit and added a homemade enamel dot. There is a little bit of light layering with vellum and a bit of the Elle's Studio paper from the June 'Boardwalk' PL kit.

I also used the fun "On Record" stamp from the Boardwalk kit. I know I"ll be using that stamp a lot. I love the font so much!

Now it's your turn! To play along, simply create a project (scrapbooking, pocket life, bible journaling, etc) using this week's prompts. Upload it to the Gallery with today's date (6/3) in the title, and you will be eligible to win some Happy Mail from the CTK store. I can't wait to see what you create.

Have a lovely weekend! Xxo, Tara

Pocket Life Sketch Friday with Tara

Hello friends and happy Friday - it's Tara here sharing my take on Pocket Life Sketch Friday. I've been working on my personal album. It's new to me this year and I have really enjoyed it!!

Don't forget to read through until the end for a chance to win some happy mail.

I'm using April's 'Sophie' PL kit and Sprinkles kit in this layout. I love the pops of colour and though it isn't quite summer here, I'm welcoming the sunshine that we do get.

For this layout, I really wanted to focus on journaling and using my handwriting. I love words and photos and my goal is to include more short and long stories with my photos.

Here is your sketch:

I ended up adding more to my layout as I noticed it was a little too plain for my liking. Here is the completed pocket page after some changes.

I added a flip card that I used some washi on to the outside of the pocket. I also added the cute foam stars and hearts, some stamping, and some layers and a cork piece too. I love using extra bits and bobs and took one of the top tear off strips from the paper pad and layered it under the word sticker. I adhered it to the outside of the pocket for some dimension and texture outside.

Here is the inside of the flip pocket. I wanted to use different journaling styles, so I made a list on the bottom 4x6 journaling card. I tucked behind some vellum that I stamped on for the title "loving". I'm also loving that alpha set from Kellie Stamps.

I would love to see what you do with the PL sketch this week. Please share your work in our Gallery or Facebook Fan Page by Friday, May 5th and title it PL 05/05. 

Have a lovely weekend! Xxo, Tara

Tuesday Tutorial

"Hi everyone! It's Jessica here for the Tuesday Tutorial! Today, I'm going to show you how I incorporate and embellish ephemera into my yearly album using an insert.

As someone who has recently gone through the whole wedding planning process, I know the pain-staking time it takes to create wedding invitations. For that reason, I always save all the bits that come into the mail and add them as an insert for the week of the wedding. 

1. Determine the color scheme. My friend's wedding colors were purple and gold, but I love the way that the teal from the Oliver kit compliment the purple. I decided to incorporate that color along with the gold in the kit. 

2. Decide on the size of insert. Since wedding invites and ephemera vary in size, you'll need to determine the best starting place for your page protector. I chose 6x8, but remember that it can always be modified later if needed (see step #4). 

3. Make the paper and embellishments work for you. I LOVED the foam Freckled Fawn word stickers in this month's kit, but I knew the black wouldn't show up on the deep purple. Instead of scrapping the idea, I took out my heat gun and embossed gold right on top of the sticker. Worked like a charm! You can do the same thing with paint or inks. 

4. Make adjustments where needed. Since the Save the Date card was slightly smaller than the insert, I pulled out my Fuse tool and anchored it into the sheet. I love the customized effect! I was then able to use the teal patterned paper to frame it in place. This is also a nice way to add glitter or other shaker elements for a fun look. 

5. Add the finishing touches. I wanted to keep the insert simple so that the invitations would show through, but wanted to add a little bit extra. I pulled out the Shimelle enamel shapes and scattered those throughout the cards and finished up with a couple of the Gold Foam word stickers to fill in the empty space. 

That's it! Now, I can slide this in next to my layouts from her wedding day and enjoy everything together for years to come. 

Hope you enjoyed! 

Jessica

30 Lists with Tara

Hiya friends!

I don't know about you but I am a list maker - to do's, wish lists, packing lists, grocery lists, and so much more. You can say I'm kind of a fan girl of lists.

Today I'm sharing how I used March's Oliver PL and Embellishment kits in a different way. I'm participating in 30 Days of Lists this month and it's loads of fun! I like having different ways of documenting and the pressure is off of me to come up with the prompts - so I thought I would give it a go.

Here is List 07 - 'People I Talk to Everyday":

I used the Citrus Twist Numbers Stamp in the shop to number my lists. I love the classic look of them that made each list perfect.

I used a journaling card that fit perfectly with the prompt, since the people I talk to everyday are my family and friends! And if you really want to know, yes, I do talk to myself. Sometimes I need a little pep talk or to say stuff out loud to figure it out. I admit I am a bit of a weird one...

I first made a title using some Kellie Stamps from my stash. Then I added washi from my stash to secure the card and exclusive Leopard puffy alpha stickers in the shop. The little Maggie Holmes labels and stickers worked out well here too. 

Here is a closer look.

Here is List 08 - "I'm Saving For":

Here I used some of the packaging for my layout. The striped 'journaling card' is the packaging from the PinkFresh Studios 'Dream On' ephemera. I also used the brown paper bag that the Embellishment kits come in for the title and the grid card that comes with the Citrus Twist exclusive stamps for the stamped label. I really do love re-purposing scraps and packaging in new ways. 

Do you like to make lists or are you participating in 30 Days of lists? We would love to hear about it and how you incorporate your Citrus Twist Kits with your lists.

Thank you for stopping by today. Stay crafty!

Xxo - Tara

Tuesday Tutorial with Leigh

Hi friends! Leigh here with a clean and simple Tuesday Tutorial and a process video.

Just punch two inch circles from four different papers from the March 2017 "Oliver" Scrapbook Kit, and two photos.

Type, print or hand write your journaling.

Add a few foam hearts from the Freckled Fawn Foam Words pack, and a title.

Finish off the page with some stitching, and voila! This quick and easy, clean and simple page, is done in no time.

Process video here:

Thank you for joining me here today!

Leigh

Kit Love with Michelle

 Happy July everyone! A new month means a new batch of kits and I am super stoked to give a little bit of kit love to the awesome July Scrapbook and Sprinkles Kits!

This month the kits feature an amazing color palette, with an out of this world blue that just might be my new favorite color!   Really, it's great and you can check it out in all it's glory in this little video I filmed while unpacking my kits and getting them ready to work with:

Well, what do you think about July??  I know I was pretty happy with what I unpacked! And how about the new Nuvo Crystal drops?  Exciting stuff for sure!

Wishing you a happy month of crafting!

Michelle