Travelers Notebook Challenge with Marsha

Hey friends!  Marsha here, and I'm hosting this week's Travelers Notebook Challenge!  I used the Life Crafted "Around Here" kit, along with the This is Life "Routine" stamp and the Travelers Notebook stamp.

My challenge for you today is to create a TN layout documenting one of your crafty or creative projects.  Here's a look at the spread I created documenting my first garment sewing adventure:

My mom is an amazing seamstress, but this is not a skill that I have inherited!  I love adding stitching to my scrapbook pages, but an actual garment is much more challenging for me.  It was fun getting this little story about myself documented.

The June "Around Here" kit is perfect for this type of project.  There are so many fun embellishments in the kit that work great for this type of documenting.  To begin my spread, I printed some photos of my sewing project.  I chose to highlight one photo on the page, and I added a tag behind the photo to hold the journaling and an additional photo.  I created the tag using one of this month's exclusive subscriber printable journaling cards.

The cute sewing machine ephemera piece worked perfectly on my page.  I added some stamping and used the tile alphas included in the kit to spell out the word "sewing."

For my title, I used a puffy foam phrase sticker and an ephemera die cut piece.  I absolutely LOVE the black puffy foam stickers this month and may have almost used the entire sheet!  They are great for titles and also include some fun icons.

To finish off the spread, I added some machine stitching to several areas on the page.  This was the perfect touch for my project about sewing.

Here's one final look at my TN layout:

Thanks for joining me today.  I can't wait to see your take on this week's TN Challenge!

Sunday Sketch with Emma

Hi friends!  Emma on blog today to share this weeks Sunday Sketch challenge!

I love this weekly challenge and I have had so much fun playing with this month's Life Crafted kit.  The colours are so fresh and fun; more so for us experiencing this icky winter weather - everything is so blah bit I opened up my kit and the colours were an instant happy!

First up let's have a look at the sketch:

And here is the project I created:

As you can see I've converted the 12x12 sketch to fit my smaller 6x8 format but it still totally works!  I've used the June Life Crafted Kit "Around Here" but also added in a few of this months stamps as well.

I am seriously LOVING this floral paper included in the kit this month.  The colours are just perfect and I'm feeling the need to put it on everything (you can bet I'm keeping all the little off-cuts!).  I kep with the sketch by putting a piece of at the bottom of my page but I also added a corner piece at the top left of my page, to create a bit more balance and because I really do just love the colours/pattern and wanted more of it on my layout :)

I got lucky in being allocated a sketch I loved this month so decided to try and keep my layout as close as possible.  I started my page with the messy part - because it's what always gives me the most trouble.  Splatters seem like such an easy thing to do but I always seem to mess them up, ha!  I used Pinkfresh Translucent Liquid Watercolor (which I picked up from the store a little while back; finally using it!) and I'm so happy to say that on my very first attempt they actually went where I wanted them to!  That never happens ;)

Once my successful ink splatters finally dried (which always seems to take soooooooo long) I started to create my layers.  I picked a couple white tags from my stash and stamped a few sentiments that matched the photo I wanted to use (of my mum and aunt).

I built up my photo cluster by adding a neutral pattern underneath my photo (I didn't want anything to compete with the gorgeous floral pattern) and popped one of the die-cut pieces underneath my photo.  I typed my journaling up on the computer and printed it out.

I'm also loving the black foam phrases included in the Life Crafted kit - aren't they the perfect size?!  I used one for my title and added the arrow/hearts around my photo to balance things out.  I do love how they fit in with the blank splatters on my background too!

To finish off my page I popped one of the carstock foam stickers underneath the photo then added a few of the enamel shape stickers around my photo for a few more pops of colour!

I had so much fun putting this one together and I cannot wait to see your take on it as well!  Be sure to share on our Facebook Fanpage so we can all see!

Take care, Em xo

Let's Get Digital with Nathalie

Hi there!
Nathalie with you today to show you how easy is to work hybrid projects for your Life Crafted album using this month's AROUND HERE Digital PL Cards.

Personally, my daily documenting approach is filled with many hybrid layouts, as i love how easy it is to print your papers, embellishments and  others to fit your ideas,  but my favorite thing about hybrid scrapbooking is that i get to add my lines of journal in the page without wondering if it is all going to fit. 

For this first entry,  I used the new page protector # 3.   Using photoshop, i opened the PL card and embedded the picture in the provided picture spot.   I enlarged the card  so that it fills more of the 4x6 space, and then  backed it with papers from the Around Here kit.

The cut apart elements are a great way to create clusters and add your journaling, all i did was size them up, added my lines of journal to one of the label spots and then print them all in one sheet. A bit of fussy cutting, and then some glue was all i needed to complete this page.

For this next layout, i chose to once again enlarge three of the PL cards, so that  i can use them as layers in the page, and,  if you look closely,  i shrunk one of the cards so that i could cut the sentiment and use it as an embellishment.

I chose to enlarge the Home Sweet Home card to fit almost the 4x6 pocket, at the same time, i enlarged one of the subscriber bonus PL cards, and cut the number strips and the sentiment, those form the layers behind the picture.

For this page, i enlarged both 4x6 PL cards.  I fussy cut the tags from one of the cards, and use it as part of the cluster on this page.   The small cluster of embellishments next to the picture are also made up of PL cards;  The  This is Not A Dream sentiment was created by shrinking the card to, and then trimming the title, the layers behind are just pieces of the other cards.   A few pieces from the Around here kit complete the page.

This last entry was created using the beautiful PL card with the striped rainbow circles.   First I  enlarged the card to fit the width of the Life Crafted page, and then moved it so that the circles were in the middle of the page.

To create the title, i embedded the Here & Now Sentiment from the This is Life -Routine Digital Stamp before printing.   The stickers and date were added after.

For the other side of this page, i used the enlarged PL card, and rotated it so that it formed the two rows of circles at the top and bottom of the page.  Then added the lines of journal in the empty space in the middle of the page. 

 The layers behind the pictures are also PL cards, I enlarged the 4x6  card with all the tags, and fussy cut them.    The sentiment at the edge of each card was perfect to frame the pictures.  A few physical stickers and ephemera pieces complete the page.


I hope these have inspire you to use your editing programs to make the most of the Digital PL cards from this month's Around Here kit.   If you have questions on how these came together don't hesitate to contact me.   I  look forward to see what you create with this month's kit and digitals.

XO

Fika - A layout by Anna

Hi dear crafty friends! Anna here today and I'm so excited to share another delightful layout with you using both the June Add On kit and the Around Here Life Crafted kit. Also I have a little tutorial for you on the CTK Insta Stories. Hope you'll enjoy joining me in the process of creating my page.

Here's what I came up with.

I imideately knew at the first sight of this Maggie Holmes Sunny Days Parasol paper that I just needed to do some fussy cutting. I had so much fun fiddling around with those gorgeous circles. Some of them did I glue on my page and some of them did I add using foam tape to get different dimensions.

The first thing I do when I get my kit I take a look at the little Kit-Card with the name of the kit and a a few lines with some wise words. I love to use them in one or another way on my projects. Here I used it up in my left corner of my layout as well as the "Around Here" text as like a tab above my photo.

This word "Fika" is a Swedish phenomenon and a generic term for some sweet treats and coffe/tea together. We use to have lots of Fika as well as cake when we celebrate someones birthday for exempel. So good!!!

 Also... don't you just LOOOVE these gorgeous enamels, yum!! At least I'm in love.

And there you have it!
I'm sorry for photo bombing you but I couldn't resist, so much gourgeousness from the kits to feature!
Hope you like them as much as I do! If don't have them already, be sure to head over to the CTK shop and sign up for a subscription or grab some other goodies.

Until next time! Anna xo

3 to Inspire with Marsha

Hey friends!  Marsha here sharing my first 3 to Inspire for Citrus Twist Kits.  For my layout today, I used the June Life Crafted Around Here kit, the Label It free subscriber exclusive cut file, and the Bows cut file.

Here's a look at the layout in my Life Crafted Album, documenting one of my favorite places- my craft room!

Our prompts:

1. Around Here kit
2. Cut file (or 2!)
3. Stamping

I started by cutting out the cut file using white cardstock.  I then backed a few of the labels on the cut file with a floral patterned paper from the kit, and backed the entire cut file with the wood grain patterned paper.  I couldn't resist adding a cut file bow to the page, too, cut using a striped patterned paper.  I can't get enough of the fun cut files this month!

Next, I added some ephemera pieces, puffy foam stickers, and tiny alphabet stickers.  I stamped a sentiment onto one of the cut apart labels.

For the other side of the layout, I used the 3" x 8" bookmark included in the kit.  I added the title using a puffy foam phrase sticker and some stamping.

I fussy cut a flower from one of the patterned papers and layered it over the floral elements at the bottom of the bookmark.  This brought the bright pink over to the left side of the layout. To finish off the spread, I added a puffy cardstock sticker and more of the ephemera pieces.

Thanks for joining me today!  I can't wait to see how you use the 3 to Inspire prompts on your project!

MEET OUR JUNE GUEST DESIGNER - JAMIE PATE

We are so excite to share this month's Guest Designer with you... meet the uber talented, Jamie Pate!   We are always amazed by her creations and wanted to see what magic she could create with our Life Crafted kits.  Let's just say you are in for a real treat!

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GET TO KNOW JAMIE

Hey creative friends…I’m Jamie Pate (pronounced just like ate)…my family and I currently reside in the Rocky Mountain state of Colorado. I’ve been married 30 years and we have 5 children ranging from 23 to 8! And I confess: I am a paper nerd. I love to craft with all the papery things plus all the embellishments and mediums that goes right along with that. It’s addictive as well as therapeutic along with legacy making. In a phrase, being a creative is a beautiful thing. I can’t stop! My time in this lovely hobby and industry has allowed me to work with Heidi Swapp and Paige Evans plus Bella Blvd, Pink Paislee and Studio Calico and many other wonderful companies. I am just so very blessed and humble to be here and share some of what I love with you. Thank you so very much for having me.

Q & A WITH JAMIE

• When did you start scrapbooking?

Scrapbooking officially started for me when my oldest was 2. I was gifted a Creative Memories pre-made page all prepped with mats for photo placement. I added photos and journaling, and the rest is history. My oldest is 24 this year. I have been scrapping for a very long time now. There are lots of stories in my album library to show for this effort. These mini albums and traditional albums and everything in between bring me so much joy. I am forever grateful for this creative outlet.

• What is something most people would not know about you?

Recently I heard that a former president read a book a week. I was amazed. To be one of the most powerful and influential people in the world, and still take time for self education at that rate. It spurred me to challenge myself this year to read a book a week as well. I just started about a month ago. I am loving this new endeavor already. And highly recommend.

• What are the 3 scrapbooking products you can’t live without?

Well. For one…I could not live without my hot glue gun. I know. It’s probably not scrapbook correct to use a hot glue in my photo memory keeping. But I do. (wince).

Secondly…my Pilot G-2 .38 pen. I buy them by the case full. I have to have a good pen around. And this one is my ultimate favorite. I like how it writes on smooth or textured cardstock. And even in my art journals full of painted pages. And everyone I have suggested this pen to has found it a winner as well.

Thirdly an item I can’t live without is my Silhouette Spatula Tool. Traditionally it’s purpose is to help lift cuts from a cutting mat. Which is how I use it too. But that tool is much more than that for me. It distresses paper edges beautifully. I use it to place alpha stickers on my projects. And my most favorite use of it is for clear stickers as I don’t want to get finger prints on them. I use this tool so much I have two of them. 

• What do you love about the June Life Crafted kit?

It may be easier to answer what I don’t like about it…which actually that answer would be nothing. I loved the fresh pinks and florals found in the pattern paper. Mixed in with some of the digital papers was pure magic for me. And those Tiny Alphas…can I get those by the case too? The floral die cuts from the Ephemera are always a fan favorite and just needed to be their own item. And have I mentioned the puffy stickers yet? I think I was just so lucky to be guest to this month’s kit. It was all very happy to craft with and there may be a few hoarding issues going on as well.

• Finish this sentence “If you could see my scrapbooking space now . . . “

You would probably say wow. I know that sounds pretentious. But it’s the very first room you walk in when you come in my home. While not renovated as I have planned…yet, it’s a big wide open and airy and well lit space. I commandeered our front room and formal dining room for my ‘studio’ several years ago. And while it is accessible to all the people whenever they think they need me, I am super happy it is the space it is. Oh…and this causes me to have to clean up daily. So I am always working on decluttering the extra things and keeping it as streamlined as I can for just what I need. Not always easy. But it works for me. And yes, you are welcome to come craft with me anytime.

And here is a peek at Jamie's beautiful creative space:

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For my blog project I chose to use the LifeCrafted Album as the base of a sort of photo essay album.

 It’s a work in progress. And I just love it. That Goldenrod album is GORGEOUS> And perfect play against this kit.

The album starts off with a clear acrylic page. On it I adhered fussy cut flowers from one of the pattern papers. An ephemera label plus the Tiny Alphas are layered over the collection of flowers. Digital stamps rounded out the layering as well as the tabbed feature.

Under the clear page can be found those oh so fabulous Foam Words. In addition layers of notched papers were used from the digital kit. This layering of paper and words plus ephemera is repeated throughout the album. It’s my go-to technique for embellishing. I adore the layers and the patterns and colors up against each other. The possibilities are endless and a wonderful invitation to play.

Don’t you love a good journal card? I went heavy with the digital kit in this album. Bringing in bits of pattern paper plus puffy stickers causes this album to feel connected and cohesive. The theme of this book is photos of the everyday that may seem ordinary, but they add up to life for me.

After the intro pages, there are tabbed sections. The first section focuses a bit on my home. I included journaling that support my current feels on the subject of home. 

I loved these Page Protector 3 pockets. That little space at the bottom is perfect for journaling…

or even a little photo…I enjoyed adding different sizes of photos to this photo essay. For this album I stayed with 4x6, 3x4 plus the 4x2-inch sized photos. I found it easy to simply print a bunch of photos up all at once and just play.

The page format now repeats itself in this Life Crafted Album as it now moves to the subject of Creativity. 

The tabbed pages were created by printing the digital paper onto vellum. That sheer factor brings to these pages so much softness. Plus a little peek into the pages behind the vellum.

I have plans for adding pages that celebrate my obsession love with coffee. Because all those fun coffee ephemera that are dying to be used on these pages. But for now, I hope this album has inspired you. I hope you find this June kit as fabulous as I did. And I hope you also find ways to celebrate the ordinary yet beautiful aspects of your everyday life.

WOW!! just wow!!  we are so honored to have Jamie create such a beautiful project with our June Kits and Life Crafted album.  Make sure you follow Jamie (if you aren't already) so she can keep you inspiring you with her beautiful work.