Easter 2016 Layout

My kids are too old for Easter egg hunts now, so it was sweet to scrap these photos of them racing around the backyard and then proudly displaying their finds to me and my hubby! I tried some fun mixed media techniques on this layout by lightly stamping on the scalloped frame and then inking over the stamping, plus I added shimmer to the butterflies, title, and flowers.

In the scan of the layout, it's hard to see the shimmer on the butterflies, so here's a close up of it.

Recipe:
Universal Backgrounds stamp set
Let's Wander papers (American Crafts)
Glacier & White Daisy cardstock
Paper Pizzazz Pastel vellum (Hot off the Press)
Heavenly Blue organdy ribbon
Shimmer Brush - clear
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: butterflies
Cricut Artbooking: scalloped frame
Cricut Design Space: Easter title
Challenges: Lasting Memories #590 Love Your Stash die-cuts; Scrap Our Stash Springtime theme + flowers; Tic Tac Toe Challenges #152 (used the top row across with Easter + butterfly + vellum and the bottom row across with die-cuts + spring colors + floral)

50th Birthday Fun Fold Card

Double Trouble has a challenge to make a fun fold card, something that is far outside of my comfort zone. Fortunately, they also provided some tutorials for how to do this, so I started with the easiest one, and here is the resulting card I created. My friend Lori is turning 50, so I wanted a pretty card that didn't give her too hard of a time about her age. Hopefully she likes the one I came up with. The heart portion of the card was fun to design; I cut the hearts out using my Cricut and then used the negative piece on my card with a stamped piece of cardstock underneath it.

When the card is opened, you can see the rest of the flowers I stamped plus the sentiment. I know the sentiment looks a little high up on the card, but I wanted to leave space for my family to sign and personalize it.

Creating this was a fun experience, so I may get even braver and try out some of the more complicated fun fold tutorials on their list!

Recipe:
I Am, Intrinsic Backgrounds, Universal Backgrounds & Just a Number stamp sets
Tickled Pink papers & flower die-cut
Kraft, Blush, Crystal Blue & White Daisy cardstock
Hollyhock, Blush, Crystal Blue & Twilight ink
Gold Metallic marker
Black marker
Gold & white ribbon (Michaels)
Edge distressing tool
Cricut Design Studio: heart overlay
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: title shape
Cricut Artiste cartridge: 50
Challenges: Double Trouble #92 Fun Folds; Creative Creases #14 Anything Goes with a Fun Fold; Bitten By the Bug Anything Birthday using a Cricut cut; Let's Craft and Create #175 Anything Goes with lots of layers

Thor's 1st Christmas Tree Layout

A sketch from The Studio Challenges was a perfect starting point for scrapping these fun photos of my cat Thor's first experience with a Christmas tree. I struggled with the simplicity of the sketch for a while, but eventually figured out a way to make it my own. I love the results and hope you enjoy them, too!  Anyone else have a cat who loves Christmas trees just a little too much?

Recipe:
Stacy's Hand Alphabet & Universal Backgrounds stamp sets
White Pines papers
Kraft, New England Ivy, Glacier, Cranberry, Honey, Grey Wool, Desert Sand & Colonial White cardstock
Chocolate, Glacier & Toffee ink
Cranberry & Black marker
White gel pen (Sakura)
ShinHan Touch Twin markers
Glitter gems
Enamel & Glitter Duos blue dots
Cranberry grosgrain ribbon
Heartfelt Wonder felt die-cuts (stars, photo corners)
Christmas lightbulb punch (EK Success)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: tree
Cricut Artistry cartridge: title banner, star, cat
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: Christmas title
Pattern: The Studio Challenges sketch + sparkle

Challenges: 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #45 Anything Goes with a Critter (perfect for these pictures of my kitty!); Challenges: Double Trouble #73 Die-lirious Holiday Season (Thing 1 = holiday scrapbook pages using a Cricut cut + Thing 2 = link up with Bitten By The Bug's die-cutting challenge + Thing 3 = patterned paper and ribbon); Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge #94 (using the top row across with ribbon, animal, felt)

Mission San Luis Obispo Layout

September has not been a scrappy month for me, unfortunately. I guess I am still adjusting to having four kids doing distance learning at home, with all the fun challenges that entails! Speaking of challenges, the layout I have slowly been putting together over the past two weeks was inspired by several challenges. First, Double Trouble challenged us to create a scene from anywhere around the world. This fit perfectly with photos from a trip my hubby made to Mission San Luis Obispo, and much of my time this week has been spent finding a good line drawing of the mission that I then imported into Cricut Design Space and edited to create the mission facade. Lots of work but I think it was worth it. Twisted Sister's twist to include a mode of transportation stumped me for a while but then I thought of adding a little donkey (mule?) to my scene to represent a primary mode of transportation in the mission era. Isn't he cute?

And here's a close-up of the mission die-cut:

Recipe:
Friendship Alphabet Small, Universal Backgrounds & Intrinsic Backgrounds stamp sets
Autumn Terracotta, Pacifica, Topiary, Linen, Greg Wool, Almond & White Daisy cardstock
Autumn Terracotta, Topiary, Cocoa & Almond ink
Black marker
Gold Metallix marker
Wooden Arrows
Blue epoxy bubble
Cricut Noah's ABC Animals cartridge: donkey
Cricut New Testament cartridge: cross
Cricut Design Space: mission (based on imported drawing)
Cricut You Are Here cartridge: tree, bush
Pattern: Sketches in Thyme #435 (I used the sketch for both pages but flipped and changed up the right page)

Challenges: The Paper Girls #207 - Around the World; Use Your Stuff #405 - Farm Animals (there was lots of livestock at the mission including sheep and cattle, but I chose to just include the donkey); Heart 2 Heart Wood You Rather? (used wood arrows and stamped a wood grain pattern on the Chocolate cardstock)

North Terrace Layout

I didn't get as much done as I was hoping on National Scrapbook Day, but I did manage to complete a layout for my England scrapbook that I've been working on for the last three years. These photos were taken on the North Terrace of Windsor Castle, and I didn't include any journaling because I really didn't have much to say about them, except it was kinda cool that the guards came marching past as we were checking out the terrace.

Recipe:
Universal Backgrounds stamp set
Yesterday & Today papers & PML card
Espresso cardstock
Espresso & Toffee ink
Trinkets Wooden Shapes arrows
Tag (Hero Arts)
Beige Adornaments (EK Success)
Our Adventure epoxy stickers (MAMBI)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: title
Cricut Wall Decor & More cartridge: compass
Challenges: Scrap With Stacy May Tic-Tac-Toe (I chose the column with arrow + tag + circles)

EMS Sketch 87 + Coachella Valley Preserve Layout

Since I posted a single page sketch at the beginning of March, I thought I would create a double pager for those who need some more space for all those photos you have taken. This features seven uncropped 4" x 6" photos in a variety of orientations, but feel free to move them around or use different sizes if this doesn't work for you. And as always, post a link to your completed layout in the comments section below so I can check out what you have been creating with the sketch!

The Sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
Honeycomb, Universal Backgrounds & Vintage Type stamp sets
You & Me papers
Lagoon & Smoothie cardstock
White Daisy textured cardstock
Smoothie, Chocolate, Lagoon, Creme Brulee & Buttercup ink
Just Blooms Paper Shapes - Paradise, Flutter & Floret
Aqua enamel dots
Round Sparkles - brown
DE Signage chipboard shapes
Colonial White ric-rac
Chocolate embroidery floss
Adornaments Fibers: Beige (EK Success)
Magic Mesh (Creative Imaginations)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: Coachella title
Challenges: Stinkin' Inkers Pastel Palette - use one or more pastel colors; Lasting Memories #489 Pressed Leaves or Flowers (they okayed any type of flowers, which was good because I only had paper or stamped flowers!); Cupcake Inspirations #489 - Butterflies

Scrap Our Stash Color Combo Challenge + add stash item for each letter of your first name: My items were:
C - chipboard
H - Honeycomb stamp set, hexagons
E - embroidery floss, enamel dots
R - ricrac
Y - You & Me patterned papers
L - leaf, Lagoon cardstock

End of School Year Cards

My son is graduating from eighth grade tonight, so I whipped up a fun card for him. I thought the sunglasses were a perfect fit for his teenage attitude!

Recipe:
Elemental & Universal Backgrounds stamp sets
Stargazer papers
Canary & White Daisy cardstock
Poppy, Pacifica, Canary & Grey Wool ink
Cricut Artistry cartridge: balloon
Cricut You Are Here cartridge: graduation cap, sunglasses
Pattern: Sketch-n-Scrap card sketch 143
Challenges: BBTB graduation theme

And for another teacher thank you card, I made this ice cream card for his English teacher. I thought she would like the play on words!

Recipe:
Take Note stamp set
Free to Be Me papers
Mint, Kraft & White Daisy cardstock
Juniper, Goldrush, Desert Sand & Tulip ink
Cricut Artistry cartridge: ice cream & cone
Pattern: Sketch-n-Scrap card sketch 140

Welcome to Westminster Abbey Layout

We weren't permitted to take photos inside Westminster Abbey, but I was able to purchase a bunch of postcards from the gift shop. The real challenge came in trying to scrapbook these, since they were almost 5" x 7" size, and I had ten of them! What to do? After contemplating a while, I decided to create a layout where four of the postcards are immediately visible, and the other 6 are hidden in Flip-Flaps under three of the visible postcards. I also used clear photo corners to mount the postcards, rather than sticking them on with adhesive, so I could actually remove each postcard and read the description on the back. I know I won't do that very often, but maybe in twenty years I will want to remember what all these photos depict! The postcards on the left page are of the Nave looking west (with grave of unknown warrior) and the Henry VII Chapel, and the postcards on the right are of the East Cloister and the tomb effigy of Elizabeth I.

And here are the postcards that are under the Flip-Flaps:

Shine of Edward the Confessor and the Coronation Chair

The High Altar with the Cosmati Pavement and the Henry VII Chapel ceiling

Tomb effigy of Mary Queen of Scots and Poet's Corner

Recipe:
Honeycomb, Diverse Backgrounds, Universal Backgrounds, You Are & This Happened stamp sets
Pemberly, Skylark & Elemental papers
Kraft, Indian Corn Blue, Barn Red & White Daisy cardstock
Desert Sand, Flaxen, Indian Corn Blue, Outdoor Denim & Barn Red ink
Cork heart stickers (American Crafts)
Mind Your Manners Ephemera (Bella Blvd)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: banners
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: Remember
Pattern: Sketch-n-Scrap #177 (left side) & Sketch-n-Scrap Inspired By Sketch #8 (rotated)

Challenges: Lasting Memories #446 - Tiny Stamps (I used a partial daisy stamp to add detail to the zip-strip scalloped border - it looked okay before, but I love how it now emphasizes the flow across the two pages)

Victoria Layout

This layout took itself off in a totally different direction than I had originally envisioned, but I love the result! I was hunting through my stash for a blue patterned paper to go with the cloud paper and brown felt circle I had already pulled out when I happened across this gorgeous background paper from Basic Grey. It made me think about the fact that Victoria was Empress of India, which is why her monument is engraved with the title "Regina Imperatrix" (Queen / Empress). It didn't really match the blue in the pictures, so I left it on my desk overnight and, when I saw it this morning,I finally decided it was the right one! I ditched the cloud paper in favor of a purple one, and the rest of the layout came together over the course of the morning, with the finishing touch being the quote from Mark Twain, "In her the public saw the English Empire itself."

Recipe:
Universal Backgrounds, Victory WOTG & Vogue Alphabet stamp sets
Karma paper (Basic Grey)
Purple paper (from my stash)
Bamboo & Colonial White cardstock
Gypsy & Chocolate ink
Gypsy marker
Heartfelt Wonder felt circle
Greenhouse paper flowers (American Crafts)
Mocha Opaques pearls
DE Mixed Shapes chipboard
"V" chipboard (from my stash)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: scalloped shapes
Pattern: Sketches in Thyme #347 (rotated to work with my vertical photos)

EMS Sketch Challenge 65 - A Pirate's Life for Me Layout

It's been a couple of months since I managed to create a sketch for my blog, but I really needed a design for some pictures so that got my creativity kick-started. If you're able to use the sketch, please link up your post below!

The sketch:

I had lots of fun creating the background of my layout, starting with brayering Sky ink on white cardstock, then sponging on hints of Sorbet, Crystal Blue, and Cocoa. I then stamped the corners, and my canvas was ready for all the other elements to be added.

Recipe:
Live Inspired, Lucky, You and Me & Universal Backgrounds stamp sets
Majestic Blue Level 2 papers
Cocoa, Indian Corn Blue, Bamboo & White Daisy cardstock
Sky, Crystal Blue, Outdoor Denim, Bamboo, Cocoa & Sorbet ink
Outdoor Denim marker
White gel marker (Sakura)
Cocoa brads
Ribbon from my stash
Cricut Wall Decor & More cartridge: skull, monograms, ship, swirls, compass
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: tag, title (lowercase letters), scalloped border
Challenges: Fantabulous Cricut Challenge anything goes (lots of "anythings" on this layout!)

EMS SKETCH CHALLENGE 65 - Link up your layout here!

An InLinkz Link-up

Explore Historic London Layout

Back to my London layouts, this time with one from the Museum of London. I used up some stash papers and stickers from CTMH on this one, so I'm pretty happy about that! The layout ended up being pretty hard to scan because of the thickness of the pearls, but hopefully you get a good idea of what it should be IRL.

Recipe:
Tiny Typewriter & Universal Backgrounds stamp sets
Florentine Level 2 papers & My Stickease
Twilight, Creme Brulee, Goldrush, Olive, Cocoa & Bamboo cardstock
Twilight, Goldrush, Olive & Cocoa ink
Chocolate marker (Zig)
Mocha Opaques pearls
Olive embroidery floss
3-D foam tape
Cricut Wall Decor & More cartridge: explore
Cricut Artistry cartridge: arrows
Cricut Accent Essentials cartridge: arrows
Pattern: Let's Scrap 7-15-17
Challenges: Heart 2 Heart In Stitches challenge; The Studio Challenges In Stitches challenge; More Than Words July challenge

Go Bolts! Layout

2013 must have been the year of the Chargers for my hubby, because this is the third Chargers layout I have scrapped from that year! I'm running out of creative ideas for football layouts, so I'm going to have to re-charge (pun intended) by checking out Pinterest or Scrapbook.com. Here I used older papers but a new sketch from Brenda Ragsdale that I rotated side-ways to fit my picture orientation. Loved this sketch, so I'm going to have to save it in my archives to use again.

Brenda's sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
Universal Backgrounds, Connections, My Game & Save the Date stamp sets
Stardust Level 2 papers & My Stickease
Bamboo, Honey, Sapphire & White Daisy cardstock
Moonstruck, Topiary, Sky, Honey, Chocolate, Dutch Blue & Bamboo ink
Moonstruck, Autumn Terracotta, Baby Blue & Topiary craft buttons
Moonstruck, Autumn Terracotta & White Daisy embroidery floss
Cricut Artistry cartridge: title, lightning bolt
Challenges: Heart 2 Heart Boys Will Be Boys challenge - what could say boys better than a football game, right? I used older paper and supplies, but hopefully a few people recognize it as being CTMH products!

Journey to Bethlehem Layout

I was trying to decide what pictures to scrap next, and I got inspired by several challenges:
1. Lasting Memories had a sketch and a challenge to scrapbook a favorite destination  - this was our first but certainly won't be our last visit to the fun and thought provoking Journey to Bethlehem event.
2. 4 Crafty Chicks wanted us to be inspired by a book - I was inspired by the Bible (Matthew 2:2) to add the stars in place of the circles of the original sketch.
3. Little Red Wagon asked to see spots or dots - this gave me the idea to chose a dotted background paper that looks like constellations.
4. Creating with Paper and More had a word challenge - I used the words "life" and "birth" in my journaling.
Thanks for all the inspiration, ladies!

Recipe:
Universal Backgrounds stamp set
Timberline & Florentine Level 2 papers
Whisper, Goldrush & Lagoon ink
Black marker
Natural hemp
Liquid Glass
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: stars
Cricut Artiste cartridge: title
Pattern: Lasting Memories April sketch

Stash Busters April Week 3 - @ The Intersection of . . .

Another Stash Busters Challenge coming your way! Click on the link below to play!

Stash14Apr3
This month, I am challenging you to use up certain items from your stash and then link your completed layout at Splitcoast Stampers so we can all get excited over it! I'll post a new list each Thursday this month, and you have until April 30th to scrap your layout using the products. If you complete all four layouts, you will get an honorable mention for the month!

Please use:
• 2 pieces of patterned paper
• Chipboard

• Bling

• Photo Corner

Do you ever have brainstorms and come up with the perfect title for a layout, and then later you second guess yourself? That's what happened to me with this layout, so hopefully my title is as catchy as I thought it was when I stamped it late at night - LOL! Anyway, I'm having lots of fun with the Timberline paper pack. So far, I've made 5 cards, the Workshop on the Go layout, and this layout with it, in addition to the layout I created in Studio J. I may even need to buy another pack because it's so versatile!

Recipe:
Atomic Caps, Atomic Lowercase, Chocolate Alphabet Small, Roar, Outta This World & Universal Backgrounds stamp sets
Timberline Level 2 papers
Ponderosa Pine, Twilight, Goldrush, Slate & Versamark ink
Goldrush marker
Blender pen
Clear embossing powder
Colonial White ric-rac
DE Signage chipboard - arrow, circle, star
Sparkle Holiday shapes - star, arrow (created by cutting apart a tree shape)
Sparkle Flourishes
Twilight metal photo corner
3-D foam tape
Pattern: Make It From Your Heart Volume 1 pattern 6

Sparkle & Shine Card Workshop

All this week, I've been busy designing cards for a Sparkle & Shine workshop, and it has been so fun! I love these papers, and can't wait to create some scrapbook layouts with them. Hope my cards bring some sparkle to your life today.

Pattern: Mojo Monday Card Sketch 320

Challenges: Always Playing With Paper Trees With Bling challenge

Pattern: Sunday Sketch & Stamp Card Sketch 183 (the sketch made me think of a four-paned window)

 Pattern: inspired by this card

Pattern: Deconstructing Jen Card Sketch 128
Challenges: Heart 2 Heart's Seeing Double challenge (I made two versions of this card), Frosted Designs 11 Item Challenge (I used circles and stars)

Pattern: Deconstructing Jen Card Sketch 125

Recipe:

Trim the Tree, Cityscape, Very Merry Christmas, Universal Backgrounds, Santa Claus, Back to Nature, Illuminate, Holiday Tags & Scandinavian Wishes stamp sets

Sparkle & Shine Level 2 papers

Juniper, Ruby, White, Chocolate & Black cardstock
Juniper, Ruby, Slate, Chocolate & Versamark inks
Ruby & Black markers
Silver embossing powder (JoAnn's)
Sparkle Shapes
Ruby chevron ribbon
Sparkle & Shine Washi tape
White Daisy grosgrain & organdy ribbon
Silver Shimmer Trim
White Daisy baker's twine
Star & silver brads (from my stash)
All die-cut images cut using Cricut Art Philosophy or Artbooking cartridges

Ink & Die Backgrounds Tutorial - Floral Beauty Layout

Welcome to my second challenge for Virtual Scrapbook Night over at Splitcoast Stampers. The fun is going on all week, so be sure to join us to learn some new techniques or re-discover one you haven't tried in a while.

Tech VSBN 06
1. For this technique, you will need stamping ink, a sponge, cardstock, and the die-cut of your choice.

2. Decide where on your cardstock you want to create a background. You can either create a background using your whole piece of cardstock, or you can pick a smaller section or two that you want to use. Using a pencil, I lightly marked the section of cardstock that I wanted to use to insure that I got good coverage. Once you've decided, place the die-cut on your cardstock, ink up your sponge, and start sponging around the die-cut.

3. When you've inked around the die-cut, move it to another, overlapping spot and ink around it again. Repeat the process until you've completely covered the section of cardstock you wanted. Notice that some areas will be darker and others lighter based on how much they are covered by the die-cut.

 

4. Remove the die-cut, take a moment to admire what you've done, then pull out whatever other stamps or embellishments you want to finish the look. You can even use your very-inky die-cut as an embellishment!

And here's my sample layout with all the pictures and embellishments added. I think you can tell the three rectangles of cardstock on which I used this technique. Hope you come play along with this challenge so I can see your beautiful layouts!

Recipe:
In the Background, Distressed Backgrounds, Universal Backgrounds, Felicity & Baroque Borders stamp sets
Ruby, Sweet Leaf, Desert Sand, Buttercup, Smokey Plum, Gypsy & White Daisy cardstock
Ruby, Sweet Leaf, Desert Sand, Creme Brulee Twilight, Sky & Smokey Plum ink
Black marker
Sweet Leaf Craft button
Window charms (JoAnn's Scrap Essentials)
Liquid Glass
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: flowers, flourish, butterfly
Pattern: Allison Davis August 1 sketch for Simple Stories

Our 12 Month Journey to Adoption Layout

I finally got my photos developed so I could do the "12 Ages and Stages" challenge over at Let's Scrap.We were given a sketch and asked to create a layout using 12 photos that represent something in our lives. I chose to use photos from my younger son's adoption day, since it took 12 months from the time he was placed with us until we went to court for the finalization. The journaling is written on the tags, which pull out so you can read them. I also was inspired by the Cupcake Special #3 Challenge from 2 Broke Girls, which led me to pick the circle paper and add the flowers because they reminded me of elements on the cupcake!

And here's my layout. Obviously I did not go with the color scheme from the cupcake, although there is chocolate and yellow on my layout . . .

Recipe:
Connections & Universal Backgrounds stamp set
Emporium Level 2 papers
Chocolate, Buttercup, Sky & White Daisy cardstock
Chocolate, Creme Brulee & Vineyard Berry ink
Chocolate & Sweet Leaf markers
Chocolate striped grosgrain ribbon
White Daisy embroidery floss
White Daisy flower brads
Staples
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: tags
Cricut Artiste cartridge: flowers
Pattern: Let's Scrap 5-6-13
Challenges: Creative Belli's Flower challenge

SCS Variety Challenge 185 - At the Falls

It's the second Wednesday of the month, so time for another Variety Challenge for Splitcoast Stampers. This challenge uses a really fun technique, so hopefully you'll have time to play along! Just click on the link below to go to the challenge page on SCS.

SBVC185 - Emerging Colors
Create your own background paper using the emerging colors technique found here: Emerging Colors. Then use the paper as either the background of your layout, or cut it up and use it in some way on your layout.

For my layout, I created the floral paper using this technique, and I love it. Just wish I had made the piece bigger so more of it would show!

Recipe:
Universal Backgrounds, Rustic Flowers & Precious Alphabet stamp sets
Bamboo, Desert Sand & White Daisy cardstock
Blush, Cocoa, Topiary, Desert Sand & Versamark ink
Cocoa marker
Clear embossing powder
Topiary brads
Antique Copper Designer brads
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: pennants
Pattern: Heart 2 Heart Sketch 19

SCS Variety Challenge 181 - Stamping Stampede

It's the 2nd Wednesday of the month, so that means another Variety Challenge for Splitcoast Stampers.Please visit SCS (using the link below) if you would like to play along.

SBVC181 Stamping Stampede

I have so many wonderful stamps, and I haven't been using them as much since I got my Cricut, so this week's challenge is to pull out those stamps and use them creatively. I would love to see a stampede of stamping techniques on your layouts. Show me what you can do with your stamps!

For my layout, I chose to use masking (the title), creating a background (the photo mat), and curving a stamp to create a different shape (the border for the circle).

For those who are wondering what I mean by masking, here's a quick tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers on how to do this: Reverse Masking Tutorial. It's so easy to combine multiple images to make one sentiment or design. I created my title using words from two different stamps. There are several other ways you can mask, and here's a fun video produced by the CTMH team that demonstrates a few of those methods.

Recipe:
My One and Only, Baroque Borders, Universal Backgrounds & Eclectic Edges stamp sets
Bella & Victory Level 2 papers
Whisper, Olive, Sky & Bamboo cardstock
Whisper, Olive, Sky, Cocoa & Smokey Plum ink
Burlap ribbon
Craft buttons
Milepost Shapes: stars
Pattern: Nuts About Sketches Week 242

Alpine Ridge Trail Layout

These days, it seems like I'm focusing on keeping things simple! Here's another simple layout that combines 9 photos into a basic design with a bold title and a paragraph of journaling. The trees were cut out using the Art Philosophy cartridge, and then I stamped them with background stamps to get the cute patterns.

Recipe:
Universal Backgrounds, Spot On Backgrounds & Diverse Backgrounds stamp sets
Animal Cookies Level 2 papers
Desert Sand, New England Ivy, Black & White Daisy cardstock
New England Ivy, Garden Green & Dutch Blue ink
Grey Wool marker
Black brads
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: trees
Cricut Artiste cartridge: sign
Wishblade: title
Pattern: "Love You" sketch from p.63 of Best of Becky Higgins Sketches