Project 24: 02, Things We Love

My family's February challenge was THINGS we love, so here's what I created.  (I have loved using up so much of the retired Four Seasons- Summer collection.)  This layout has more white space than I am used to, but it's growing on me.

I am so happy with how my family is on board to playing along with these challenges.  (Recently, my husband asked me what the March challenge was going to be!)  

Let me know in the comments if you're creating your own Project 24 in 2024!

{Layout 9/52}

Welcome Baby Card

This baby card was fun to make for a colleague who is due next month! Almost everything I used for this card is retired, but I wanted to share with you anyway.  Don’t be afraid to stash bust and pull out your “old stuff."

I cut the clouds background from Glacier cardstock with a retired Thin Cuts and then mounted it over a Ballerina glitter paper panel (since she's expecting a girl). The band across the front is from the retired Life‘s a Hoot collection. The rainbow stamped Thin Cut is from the Storybook Scrapbooking stamp set and Thin Cuts. The welcome baby banner is from a really old stamp set )and I don’t remember its name currently).

I love the sparkle from the glitter paper and the additional clear shimmer brush on the rainbow's clouds.  The pretty pink enamel dots are also from my stash.  Don’t be afraid to stash bust and combine old things in new ways!

Botanical Shadows Layout

When I first saw the June stamp of the month, Botanical Shadows, I knew I wanted to try a layout with a circle of blended ink and one of the border silhouette stamps.  Here's what I created with blending brushes, Flamingo, Melon, Sundance, Capri, and Sapphire inks (plus black for stamping).

Here's a close up of the left hand page.  (I created a circle stencil with my CTMH/Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.)  As I blended ink in the circle, I also tried to ink a piece of 3"x12" cardstock in the same manner for the right side.

I used embellishments from the (retired) Change of Scenery kit, a die cut from the recent Cardstock Carnival special, a few black acrylic arrows, and a few black enamel dots.

The background woodgrain paper and strip on the right side are from the (now retired) Autumn paper collection. 

I really like how this layout turned out, and it's even prettier in person.  Thanks for letting me share!

Grand Canyon Layout

Yesterday, I finished putting together our USA 2021 scrapbook!  I realized that I had not yet shared this Grand Canyon layout.

I used the Four Seasons- Autumn collection with a few scraps of Scarlett patterned paper from (retired) Christmas Story.

The Grand Canyon badge is a CTMH/Cricut You Are Here cartridge cut, and the stamped hexagon is from the (retired) Aurora stamp set and Thin Cuts.  The Celebration Alphabet stamp set is also retired.

The arrows are a mix of Aurora stamps/Thin Cuts and the current wood grain arrows.  I also sprinkled gold glitter gems to accent the clusters.

You can find all of the current materials I used available HERE.  Thanks for letting me share a little of our family travels and scrapbooking with you!

September Stamp of the Month Fall Layout (#4)

This layout was the feature of my September scrapbooking class and features the September stamp of the month, Enjoy These Moments, and the Crisp Air collection.

I had fun coloring the heart with various Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend markers and CTMH/Cricut cuts (I think from Art Philosophy).

Let me know if you'd like to learn more about the classes that I offer!

February Technique Blog Hop: Stunning Stencils

Stencils are a fun way to add dimension to your projects!  See all kinds of creative ways to use them (and even make them) on this month's technique blog hop.  (If you're already hopping, then you've probably arrived from Maz's blog.  From here, you'll visit Scrappin Katy's blog.)

This card was really fun to create!  I knew that I wanted to use the honeycomb stencil that I had cut for another project on a card (cut using my CTMH/Cricut Artbooking cartridge).  I wanted the edges to be more irregular than the original cut, so I cut off a few of the hexagons.

After placing my cardstock stencil on my slimline (8"x3.5") card base, I sponged Shortbread across the entire stencil and then added Sundance sponging to give it more dimension and "pop."  (Sorry, I didn't take a picture before I stamped my sentiment and accent images!)

I thought it would be fun to play on the "bee" them, so I stamped BEE with the Daisy Alphabet, then happy and day from the For All Occasions stamp set.  (They day was part of the Mother's Day stamp; I just inked up the word I needed.)  All the other stamped images came from the Sweet As Honey cardmaking stamp set.  I colored the two larger bees with Sundance shimmer brush and added a black acrylic arrow.  (I also used black shimmer trim and a piece of honeycomb paper from the Sweet As Honey collection.)

As you can see, you can cut your own stencils, or you can use some of the fabulous reusable stencils CTMH offers to add some fun dimension to your crafty projects.  Please leave me a comment before hopping on to Scrappin Katy's blog to continue the February Technique Blog Hop.

June Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Outdoor Borders

 Can you believe it's June already?!?  Time for the stamp of the month blog hop featuring Outdoor Borders!  (If you're already hopping then you've probably arrived from Miss Carrie's Creations blog.  From here you'll visit Darlys's blog next.)

For my project, I created a 6"x8" title page for a mini album to celebrate our travels in our new (to us) motor home!  We have loved our 5th wheel, but it was time to upgrade for many reasons.  I had always wished that I had a mini album of our camper travels, so I am starting this adventure off right.  I used the Mix-In collection, Outdoor Borders stamp set (in black) to create the three "tags" and the mountain range, plus my CTMH/Cricut You Are Here collection to cut the highway and the license plate.  I embellished the page with strips of Blue Belle glitter paper and pearls.

Here are all of the border stamps in this set (so don't you see so many great possibilities?):

Thanks for letting my share!  I'm looking forward to creating several pages with this set prior to our first trip.  Please leave a comment before continuing on to Darlys's blog next!

{Click HERE for all the hop participants and their blogs.}

February Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Doodled Borders

Close To My Heart has a cute stamp of the month for February, Doodled Borders!  Join me and about 20 other consultants for inspiration with this stamp set.  I created two cards to share with you.  (If you're already hopping, then you've probably arrived from Lauren's blog.  From here, you'll visit Gina's blog next!)

My first card pairs Doodled Borders with the Letter Tiles stamp set and Thin Cuts.  I knew that I wanted to use Almond for the tiles, so I decided to use the current Mix Ins palette of Peach, Canary, Avocado, Almond, and Black.  (I stamped my border stamps in that order.)  I used the lighter side of Avocado cardstock for my card base and then decided to stamp the little lines to better set off my HI.  The arrow is also from the Doodled Borders stamp set.  I used black shimmer trim (cut down skinnier) and a wooden heart to finish it.

My second card didn't turn out quite like I planned, and I don't think I'm finished with it, but I am sharing anyway!

I wanted to try to make a rainbow using the Sweet Safari palette of Candy Apple, Sundance, Avocado, Lagoon, and Bluebird (which my husband did not see at all on this card!).  At first I tried staggering the stamped Doodled Borders, but that didn't work out.  I felt that this sketch from Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 4 kind of gave me the look I wanted.  The sunburst covers the worst of my misaligned border stamping.

I cut the sun on White Daisy cardstock with my CTMH/Cricut Artbooking cartridge (because I don't yet have any Sundance cardstock) then sponged it with Sundance ink and a tiny bit of Candy Apple.  I added Sundance shimmer brush to the center.  You probably can't tell, but I painted Bluebird shimmer brush on the Bluebird strips.  I will probably add a sentiment as a banner on the bottom right, but since I couldn't decide what just yet, I've left it blank.  What sentiment would you add?  I'd love your suggestions!

Please leave a comment before you hop to Gina's Little Corner of StampinHeaven next!  Thanks for visiting!

{Click HERE for all the hop participants and their blogs.}

Heart2Heart Challenges: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!

This final November Heart2Heart Challenge, Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, can be interpreted in so many different ways!  I decided to showcase a few little treat holders for some fun little gift-giving inspiration.

My first project was totally CASEd from my talented DT member Katy Taylor's hot chocolate card/treat holder.  I used the Serenity paper pack with the November stamp of the month, You Warm My Heart, plus a little Cricut Blue Belle glitter snowflake.

I stamped the cup in Sapphire and the "hot cocoa" in Espresso.  I added a little gold shimmer trim (cut in half to make it skinny) and a gold glitter gem in the center of the snowflake to match the Serenity paper.

My second treat holder starts with a  6"x6" square that is folded into this fun little "cup."  (You can find more details/instructions HERE.)  I used the retired (but available while supplies last on my website) Comfort & Joy paper for the cups plus the candy cane stamp from the November stamp of the month.

Please check out all of the DT inspiration and consider joining us for any of our November challenges before the month ends at H2H Challenges!

Heart2Heart Challenges: Something To Smile About

 This week's Heart2Heart challenge could be interpreted in so many fun, cheerful ways!  I decided to share a layout of a really fun afternoon with friends.

The Timber collection paired very well with photos from a post-Christmas skate party in 2018.  The teens are all high school friends, and the Busses made this family skate party possible.

I embellished my layout with a New England Ivy CTMH/Cricut Christmas tree and gold stickles, shimmer trim, and glitter gems.

The title uses the Simply Said alphabet stamp set in Ruby and New England Ivy.  What do you think of my stickles stars?

Be sure to check out all of the design inspiration on the H2H challenge blog!  You have until the end of the month to join any of our August challenges.

Heart2Heart Challenges: Just Add Water

The newest Heart2Heart Challenge, Just Add Water, can be either about the water or use water.  I decided to make a fun lake day layout.

After ordering my pictures, I decided that Pattern 3 of the Make It From Your Heart, Vol.. 3 how-to book would fit my photos nicely.  I knew that the Summer Vibes collection was perfect for lake day memories.

I cut the kayak from the CTMH/Cricut You Are Here collection (the base piece is black cardstock, and the overlay is Lemonade).  YOu can see how I used some Summer Vibes stickers to accent my page.

The journaling box is actually a (retired) PML card from the Stitched Together collection.  All of the fun yellow embellishments are Summer Vibes acrylic pieces (attach with glue dots or Liquid Glue).

How are you going to Just Add Water?  Join us all month long at H2H!  A new challenge is posted each Monday, and challenges are open for the entire month.

Tuxedo Fold Birthday Card

My sweet mother-in-law recently celebrated her birthday, and since we couldn't spend it with her, I decided to make an extra-special card for her.  I fell in love with the tuxedo fold card, and this is what I made for her.

It even folds flat for mailing.

I used the Celebrate Today collection and my CTMH/Cricut Artistry collection for the cuts.  I had fun embellishing the die cuts with various shimmer brushes.  (I don't love the Sappphire shimmer on Bluebird card stock, but what is done is done.)  I added a few white enamel dots for some dimension.

Honestly, this card was a challenge to make!  I watched a great video tutorial HERE, but it turns out I didn't have the correct card stock measurements.  The third try was a charm!  Then, my pop ups didn't work quite as well as I had hoped, but they're still pretty cute.  If you'd like to learn how, I'm adding a photo tutorial below.  I'd love a comment!

Begin with a piece of 8.25"x12" card stock for your card base.  (I chose Lemonade).  Score vertically at 2-3/4", 5.5", 8-1/4", and 11"

Turn your card stock 90 degrees.  On the left side (based on this view), mark at 2-3/4" and then score the first section only at 5.5"  On the opposite side (the right side in this view), score the 1" panel only at 5.5" and then score the 1" and next section at 2-3/4".  Now make the diagonal scores from the top center down to the left mark and from the top center down to the bottom right score mark.

 Cut away the top portion of the 1" section and then trim the tab at an angle (top and bottom).  The cuts are marked with Xs.

Next, cut out both top squares (first sections) and the triangles in the center sections.  These pieces are marked with Xs.

Now fold the "house" in half.  All of the vertical score marks get folded in to make the box.

Fold the triangle flap "lapels" out or down.

I forgot to include the dimensions for the cross pieces to make your pop ups, so be sure to watch the excellent video tutorial too!  Thanks for letting me share!

National Papercrafting Month: All Around Creativity

Close To My Heart is offering not 4 but FIVE versions (the 5th one just announced!) of a really pretty home decor project, All Around Creativity, through the end of February.  Here's my version:

I added the Sangria card stock, ribbon, ink, and adhesive, but everything else came right out of the kit.

I ended up only using one small flower (edges sponged with Sangria).  I added a Sangria hole punch circle to the center and then added Liquid Glass to give it some shine.  I did use every single piece of greenery.  (Some of the single leaves are attached to the back and just peek through.)

My letters are cut at 2-1/2" from the CTMH/Cricut Artbooking cartridge.  The heart is from Flower Market, and I've already forgotten what size it was.  (My first one was too big, but I'll use it for something else.)

If you'd like to see the other options or order a kit for yourself, please visit my website HERE (only available through the end of February). Thanks for letting me share my take on this project with you.  Mine is already hanging on our wall!  If you order one and need any help, just let me know!  I recommend Liquid Glass to adhere everything.

Artbooking Halloween Card

Since both of our girls are in college, I wanted to send them something special in the mail for Halloween.  I decided to use the CTMH/Cricut Artbooking cartridge to make a haunted house "card" even though the Cricut idea is to make a mini book.

I cut all of these pieces at 4.25" so that they would easily fit in a card envelope.  I had originally planned on using the Saffron bat cutout behind the black haunted house cut, but you really couldn't see the bats.  I decided to cut a Saffron background for the haunted house cut and then a Charcoal background for the Saffron bats cut out.  (Hopefully that makes sense!)

I attempted to sponge a sunset on the Saffron background so that the windows would seem lit up and the background would be the setting sun.  I sponged Saffron, Paprika, and Sangria inks on the background.  I used a scrap of Hawthorn Sage herringbone B&T for the door.  I added gold Stickles to mimic candles in the windows, and used a white epoxy gem for the "full moon."  I bound the card together with thin white & gold ribbon.

On the inside of my card, I used a retired Halloween stamp set for the bats and the "Happy Halloween" sentiment (stamped in Sangria and again in Charcoal to fussy cut the bat after cutting out the circle with my Thin Cuts).

Hopefully the girls will like their Halloween surprise!  I am featuring this card on the Heart2Heart "Anything Goes" challenge and entering the Color Dare #366 Hawthorn Tic-Tac-Toe challenge (Sangria, Charcoal, & Saffron), the Double Trouble #41 Batty Challenge, and the Crafting Happiness #20 Halloween challenges.

Sparkle and Shine Technique Blog Hop

Are you ready to sparkle and shine?  We have a great collection of sparkly projects to share with you along this hop.  (If you're already hopping, then you've probably arrived from Michelle's blog.  From here, you'll visit Danielle next.)

We were very fortunate to travel to Europe this summer, starting in Germany where our older daughter was studying abroad, and ending up in Paris.  Because we were there for a week, I plan on dedicating an entire album to Paris.  Here is my title page.  We actually saw the Eiffel Tower at night on our very last night there!

To make this layout really sparkle, I used gold glitter paper, black shimmer trim, and my gold shimmer brush. I started out "painting" gold shimmer behind my title (cut from the CTMH/Cricut Artbooking collection), but then decided to add more in basically all the white areas.  Unfortunately, that shimmer doesn't photograph well.

I used the Seasonal Mix-In paper pack and Saffron cardstock to match my photo.  The triangles were also cut from the Artbooking collection.  Can you tell where I got my layout idea?  Look through the current Seasonal Expressions...

Look on page 43...

I used the Into the Wild Deluxe Scrapbooking Workshop instructions to create my layout!  Don't be afraid to CASE (copy and steal exactly) something you like (while giving credit to the original) or add your own twist.  I think this black, white, and gold layout is very sophisticated yet the original was quite rustic.  The bones, however, are pretty much identical.

Thank you for visiting and sharing a few more of my travels with me.  (There will be lots more to come!)  I'd love a comment before you hop on over to Danielle's blog next!