Just Clownin' Around!

I love the scrapbooking community: I just feel like there is something inherently welcoming about other people who want to be creative and preserve their memories! I am a member of a few online communities- but the one I've been participating in the longest is soul-scrappers. I love their community and the best part is I can participate in challenges which might pull me out of a creative rut or just inspire me to do more pages! I had been on a hiatus from the site for awhile- but when I saw this clown challenge, I knew I needed to jump right back in :) 

I joined a scrap quest: which means I get sent an envelope full of goodies that I need to incorporate on my page and had to make it match the theme: which was "Send in the Clowns!" Here is what was in my envelope:

There was a ton of fun things in my envelope: confetti, a balloon, a straw, paper, stickers, die cuts, a gold doily, a tag holder, and a red pom-pom. All I had to do was add a clown and make a page!

Well, I tried google searching images and I didn't find anything that wasn't too terrifying or too baby-ish for my page featuring my husband..... so I made my own clown! I decided to use the tag holder and the pom pom to draw an adorable clown face! I used the striped paper to make a cute (giant) bow-tie and a star confetti for the center. I used Close to my Heart's Pomegranate paper to fashion some hair for my clown- I thought he turned out super cute :)

I knew I wanted to use some pictures of my husband being silly for this page: I have many to choose from- but him just chilling in our kitchen with that hat on sealed it for me ;) 

I thought that Close to my Heart's Foundations paper line was tailor-made for this challenge- I used green, blue, yellow, and red from the Adventure paper pack for this page. However, I didn't know what I was going to use as the background page....I didn't want to just use a white piece of paper- so stamps to the rescue!!

 

I used the Canary ink and this awesome starry stamp- which made the best backdrop for my pictures!! 

Here's a shot where you can see how awesome the star background works with all the fun embellishments! I grouped all the other elements around the pictures- then I added the title- and my journaling :)

Here's a shot of the final page in its entirety:

  

Whoops! I guess Sorin wanted in on my picture taking action- let me try that again....

And there it is! My completed clown page- this Scrap Quest was super fun! I am definitely going to keep participating in these!

You can pick up the awesome Foundations paper and star stamps at my website!

Happy Times Paper!

Hello! I'm so excited about this special paper that Close to my Heart has out for the month of May: called Happy Times! This paper is amazing: I have made 4 layouts using the paper and every one is totally different!! Today, I'll be showcasing 2 of them!

The first is bright and cheery just screaming summer beach fun! (I guess if it's screaming it would be SUMMER BEACH FUN!!!!!!!) Do you agree?

Look at the gorgeous colors: one of the sheets of paper does fade from orange to hot pink- looks like a perfect beach sunset! The gold foil sheets also are completely gorgeous- I love how they look! I used my ArtBooking Cricut cartridge to make the title and the lattice embellishment. I used the Thinlets for the flowers and leaves- it really looks perfect :)

Funny story: originally, I was planning to make all the flowers' outlines with gold embossing powder- but when I went to grab some......apparently out of the 43 different colors of embossing powder, I've never purchased gold......I have 6 shades of copper, 10 types of silver.....every other color of the rainbow.... but no gold. So, I used the copper that looked the best on my colors and went with it :) I think it still looks pretty, right?

This flower I wanted to have a hibiscus look- so I stamped it in black and used gold glitter spray- sorry about the not so great photo- the gold kept catching the light and blurring out the flower! :)

The other layout I made with this paper is completely different- on this side of the double sided paper, it is perfectly suited for bright happy beach days- but the flip side of the paper....well, see for yourself!

This layout is all muted blues and greens with bright yellow- and check out the wood-grain paper!! This entire layout is just Happy Times paper and White Daisy cardstock- crazy right? I was excited to get to use my dinosaur stamps and I used the watercolors and Picture my Life cards to make that awesome accent next to my journaling card! 

Here's a close up of the watercolor card- I also added a bunch of ribbons to really dress it up! 

Isn't that dinosaur adorable? I colored him using my alcohol markers- I need to practice shading more- but I like the effect it gives. Plus, this shot you can see the teal outlines of the flowers on that white paper! 

Needless to say, I'm officially obsessed! I have started another layout with that paper using the flamingos- plus I have plans to make 2 more!! Stay tuned for more Happy Times paper and don't forget to pick up your own pack before they go away!!

The Return of the Foundations Paper!

Well hello again! So glad you could come back and see the other layout I made using the same Foundations Paper pack!

I split up the two layouts because I felt that my other post was getting too long- but maybe I'm wrong? Please give me feedback in the comments: too long? too short? too many pictures? not enough pictures? Thanks!! Enjoy this other layout!

So this layout has no pictures yet: That is by design....also, I can't currently locate the pictures that I want to put on this layout.... that totally happens to other people, right?

Anyway: to make this 2 page layout, you need:

• Two 12 x 4 inch strips of Foundations Paper (different complimentary colors)
• 2 pages Slate Cardstock
• 4 inch square of White Daisy cardstock (for the banner  and title)
• 6 x 12 inch strip of coordinating cardstock (for the chevron design)

Cut the long strips into 2 pieces: I made one 7" x 4" and the other a    4" x 5" so I had a long piece and a smaller rectangle in each color. The coolest part of this layout for me is how by flipping over the paper, you either get a very subtle raised image or a bold white design- so it looks like I've used more than 2 different patterned papers!

Then I just staggered the pieces so that they move up in a diagonal across both pages! So simple!

To liven up this super easy layout, I used my ArtBooking Cricut cartridge again (I love that thing- I'm telling you, once you get it, you will find yourself reaching it for everything!)- that's where the cool Chevron overlay came from- plus the title!

I used pop-dots under the "Smiles" title so that it will really pop! I love how the chevron just gives this page such an interesting embellishment! Plus, I used a couple of the cut out zigzags for the other page to coordinate!

The last thing I did was to make this precious banner: the shape was compliments of the Art Philosophy cartridge (using a different cartridge?!?! Shocking!) and the different banner patterns were from an awesome stamp set from Close to My Heart: Bodacious Banners~

I used coordinating colors to pull it all together and Bam! Page Done! .....except for those pictures....I am seriously not sure where I put them since I used them for the placement of my backgrounds....but I'll find them eventually!

Foundations Scrapbooking: Part 1

Close to My Heart Foundations Paper: Adventure Pack

One of my favorite things that Close to my Heart sells is their Foundations paper: It comes in the same colors as their cardstock- but they are double-sided pages with little designs on each side!

This is the Adventure pack but I really want them all: they work great with all kinds of papers and also make fun layout all on their own!

I'm showcasing two different projects using this paper pack- one is a 2-page layout I did to show off all those Instagram photos I've taken of Sammy and the other will turn into a layout for the Renaissance Fair.




Here is the first one: This is a 2-page layout using only 4 x 4 photos (all Instragram that I printed using Shutterfly's awesome option to print 4 x 4 Instagram pictures!)

I managed to get a TON of pictures on this layout- plus I used plain White Daisy cardstock in the background! (If you know me even a little bit you know that I don't do white backgrounds unless I absolutely have no other option...but I really love the way it pops out the white designs on this paper!)

To make this layout, you need:

• 2 pieces of White Daisy cardstock
• 6 squares of foundations paper: 3-in x 3-in (2 each of 3 different colors)
• one strip 2-in by 11-in (coordinating color)
• Coordinating cardstock for title
• 3 squares of White Daisy cardstock: 3-in x 3-in
• Stamps for embellishments

Because I had these pictures in four inch squares, I was able to get 8 pictures on this layout: feel free to move the blocks and photos around to accommodate 4 x 6 photos. :)

The journaling blocks I made by cutting the shape on my Cricut and stamping the edge (using November's Stamp of the Month: Animal Balloons!)

Here's a close-up of my journaling hexagons- plus you can see the subtle patterns on the blue and red squares!

Here is the left page: On this page, I decorated 2 different white cardstock squares using different stamps: I used a lined stamp to make my lines on this page....I really ought to add some journaling words soon!

The bottom left square was made by me stamping the same small star pattern over and over until it was saturated to my liking.

I also used a animal balloon as an embellishment: remember, your embellishments don't have to EXACTLY match your page- I love the whimsy it adds to this page of my (mostly) sleeping puppy.

The title I cut out of my Cricut using the Close to My Heart ArtBooking cartridge: I think I'm obsessed!

Here is a close-up of the adorable dog balloon I made!! 

Ok so this page took me longer to write up than I anticipated: Check out part 2 for the other (totally different) layout!

Project Roundup!

Hello everyone! I just wanted to upload some of my recent projects and let you know what I've been working on!

 

First: I had to use my awesome Charlotte paper to make some pretty pages for the bridal tea that my sister-in-law held for her bridesmaids:

This is the left page: sorry it's a little dark: still working on that photography! (also the pictures themselves were dark: I am not great at indoor lighting)

Here is the right-sided page: Even though my photos were dark, I loved how the Charlotte paper really matched our fancy tea party :)

This was a small kit that one of my uplines gave me (along with the whole team): It uses Charlotte paper to make a precious clipborad! I made it and decided to put a #throwbackthursday picture in the frame: That's my brother and I as teenagers! (I'm 16 here and he's 13)

Here is an awesome mini banner project that I made at a Close to my Heart event: it uses the new Calypso paper- which just makes me think of South Florida!

Look at the precious flamingo!!! 

That's all I have for now: Stay tuned because I will be posting a step by step page tutorial using Calypso paper later this week! Please comment what you think of my projects and what kind of tutorials you would like to see me blog about! Share with your crafty friends!

Bring on the Cards Part 2!

So yesterday, we made an awesome black and white card from our scraps: today, I made another card- this one I decided to make a simple "just because" sort of card. Let's get started!

Materials needed for the "Hello" card:

• Off-white card
• 3 1/2 x 5 scrap of double sided patterned paper (I used the rose page from Lovin En La Vie)
• 2 x 5 1/2 strip of Hollyhock cardstock
• scrap of White Daisy paper (for stamping)
• Black ink
• Word Bubble Stamps (I used the word bubble stamps from Close to my Heart's Artiste Cricut bundle)
• 3D tape
• Your favorite adhesive (I used Close to my Heart's Large Glue Pen)

To start. I glued the Hollyhock strip along the long side of the card, about 1/2 inch from the edge.

Then I cut my patterned paper

scrap into 2 pieces: one is 1 1/2

x 5, the other is 2 1/2 x 5:
















I glued the smaller piece (with the black showing) onto the edge of the card on top of the Hollyhock strip:

Look! My fingernail color almost matches my card!

Then position the other patterned paper on the right upper corner of the card, allowing it to overlap the Hollyhock and black strips. I also left a quarter inch border around the top of my paper.

Then I stamped my "hello" on the White Daisy cardstock and cut out around it (I could have cut a perfect speech bubble from the Cricut- it is an option- but I had unplugged and moved my Cricut and haven't set it up again....it seemed like more work to unpack it and set it up for one tiny speech bubble)

There- not a perfect cut out job- but it works!

I then put some 3D dots on the back of my hello bubble: (I love the extra dimension!) And- TaDa! A lovely card just to brighten someone's day!

I'll be showing you some great projects using Charlotte paper plus I will post my instructions for the Foundations class after Saturday! Comment and let me know how my instructions are! Thanks!

Bring on the cards! Part 1

Ok, so last time we made a gorgeous two-page layout- but what about those scraps? I promised we would put them to good use on some cards: so here is the first card!

Both cards are relatively simple: they use only 1 or 2 colors but I feel that their simplicity really makes a great impact! Plus, I can whip one out pretty quickly: you can always add more pizzazz to you cards but I'm keeping it simple today!

To make the black and white card, you need the following:

• blank white card (4 1/2 x 5)
• scrap of Lovin En La Vie 4 1/4x 4 3/4
• Flower stamps (I used February's Stamp of the month: Beautiful Bouquet)
• small scrap of White Daisy cardstock (for stamping)
• Black ink
• Strip of hollyhock cardstock 4 3/4 x 2
• Sentiment stamp (also from Beautiful Bouquet
• 3D tape
• Your favorite adhesive (I used Close to my Heart's large glue pen)

First, glue the large piece of patterned cardstock (black and white side up) onto the card: make sure to center that piece- as you want to see a small strip of white all along the edge of the card. Next, glue the hollyhock strip near the bottom of the card: leaving about 3/4 of an inch from the bottom of the card.

Now the fun part! Ink up your flower stamp with Black ink- then firmly press the image onto the White Daisy cardstock piece (I always save the White Daisy scraps from other pages or from Cricut cuts so I always have a good place to do these fussy-cut stamped images) Make two of those. Fussy cut (which means to cut out along the edge of your image) your newly made flowers.

Now, stamp one of the leaf images onto another piece of White Daisy cardstock and cut it out.

Position one of the flowers near the top of the Hollyhock strip- glue down. Add 3D tape to your second flower and position it under your first flower- when you like its position, adhere using the 3D tape. Then, slide the leaves under the pop-dotted flower- position it how you like.

Next, ink up your chosen sentiment using Black ink and stamp it on the Hollyhock strip.

All done!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the second card!

Spring Crafting!

 Wow...it's been quite awhile since I blogged on here- almost embarrassing enough to start a brand-new one so that no one discovers just how long a hiatus I had! But, here I go!

I started working with Close to my Heart in November and I am LOVING it! I'm just a lowly consultant and struggling to get it all going but I really adore the company, the products, and being able to justify doing creative things everyday! I have been hosting classes at my home and this set of pages is from my February class. The paper I used was from Close to My Heart's La Vie En Rose line- which is sumptuous black and white designs with bright and bold roses. Here are my detailed directions and supply list if you want to make one of your own!

The Left Page

The Right Page

Supplies needed for the 2-page layout:

2 sheets Whisper cardstock (smooth gray)
2 sheets La Vie En Rose (double-sided paper)
1 sheet Hollyhock cardstock (smooth pink)
2 sheets White Daisy cardstock (white)
Black Shimmer Trim
Inks in the following colors: black, hollyhock, pear, and slate
Bloom stamp set
Cricut Art-Booking cartridge and stamp set

You can find all these materials on my website:
www.melaniescraps.ctmh.com






Aren't these pages pretty? (my horrible cell phone pictures just don't do the colors justice)

To make the pages: start with by cutting all your major pieces:

Cut two 4-inch-wide strips from the rose paper- save the remaining half for cards later!

Cut two 2-inch-wide strips from the hollyhock cardstock

Cut two 12-inch-long strips of Black Shimmer Trim

Cut your White Daisy paper- one piece should be 6 1/2in x 8 1/2in, the other piece should be 6 3/4in x 8 3/4in

Cut one 7 x 8 rectangle from your rose paper and one 4x7 rectangle.

Cutting the rose paper using my trusty
Fiskers paper trimmer!

Now that your pieces are cut, it's time for the fun part!! I like to lay my pages out side by side and make sure that everything lines up just perfectly- but I recently got a new mat to work on- which has a ruler so that I can now measure it perfectly! So yay!

The first pieces to get affixed to the page are the black 4 inch strips- they go 1/2 inch from the bottom of the page- then line up the hollyhock strip- another 1/2inch up from the black strip. Finally, line up the Shimmer Trim another 1/2 inch up from there! Check out this picture: (full disclosure: to do this tutorial, I had run out of shimmer trim so I had to substitute this pretty gold and black ribbon)

(forgive the wrinkly finger and not even polished nails....it's winter)

So make sure you do this to both pages- using Whisper as your base paper, of course. If you used the ruler- you can be certain that both pages will have the same spacing! (or if you don't care you don't have to measure- just eyeball it)

Your next task is to place your 2 rose rectangles in the upper left or right corner of your page:

The larger rose rectangle goes on your LEFT page on the LEFT upper side: it should overlap your black strip a little bit:

I left about a quarter of an inch of Whisper showing around my large rectangle- but you could always place it flush with the edge of the cardstock!





The smaller rectangle goes on the RIGHT upper corner of the RIGHT page: also with a quarter inch clearance on each upper side and not overlapping any of the black strip:

Check out the acrylic stamp I have laid there- this is a gorgeous lace-look-alike stamp from Close to my Heart's Cricut ArtBooking collection.

I wanted to add a little pop to the side with less rose paper- so I decided to put a little lace decoration using that stamp- you could use a different stamp, a half of a doily, or even use a lace stencil!

Before I stamp on my Whisper paper, however, I must finish placing my cut paper- the white daisy cardstock is designed to hold 2 4 x 6 pictures each without cropping- I placed my cardstock to house vertical pictures, but you can position it any way you want!

Time for the best part!

What you need for stamping this awesome layout!

Starting with the flower: use hollyhock and ink up that flat flower-shaped stamp: this will provide the background color of the rose. Stamp it on a piece of your White Daisy Cardstock.

Ok- so the first one I did (bottom) didn't turn out so good- but I inked it up again and BAM! Perfection!!!

Now for the outline- inked that up with Black...

Lined up the outline to the background- and voila! Perfect rose!

Now for the leaves- I inked up the background in pear- so nice-

Inked the outlines in black- you could use a darker green or light brown- but I really wanted mine to pop

Here's the finished leaf! Note that I didn't get it quite perfect- which is ok! I actually love the whimsical look it has!

Fussy-cut those and now you have perfect flower embellishment :) I adhered the rose with a little 3D tape and slid the leaf under it to give it more dimension. 

The last touches of this layout are optional: if you don't have a Cricut (I couldn't live without my Cricut!), you can make your own journaling block- but this is what I did:
I used the Close to my Heart ArtBooking cartridge and the corresponding stamp- I cut out my perfectly-sized shape out of the White Daisy cardstock and then stamped my journaling block- and BAM! Done.

Then I added pictures and some small embellishments:

Finished Product!!

Thanks for reading!