Elle's Studio December Exclusive Kit Reveal

Today is the December exclusive kit reveal at Elle's Studio and I am so excited about this reveal for many reasons! 

The add-ons this month include the Love & Thanks stamp set and the white acrylic stars.

And don't forget the digital cut files and Holiday printables! 

Now on to my layouts this month, which I really love! 

This layout uses the exclusive kit, Tis the Season stamp set and Joyful collection paper to document our Christmas Day 2014. My daughter was released from the hospital on Christmas Day, so it was a pretty exciting day for us.

I am so excited about this layout, that I created with the exclusive kit, Tis the Season stamp set, and Joyful collection paper. As soon as I saw the "Best of 2015" tag in the kit, I knew I had to create this layout. These photos are my absolute favorite from the year, so looking at this layout just makes me happy.

Not only am I excited about my layouts, but I am also excited about the exclusive kit mini course that I've been putting together for the past week. It includes three amazing contributors- Missy Whidden, Carson Riutta and Karen Baker- and so much inspiration to put your kit to good use! 

Remember that the kit is $9.99 today only and you can also add the exclusive kit for only $4.99! Happy creating!  

Scraptastic Club "Feels Like Home" Layouts

Since it's the last day of the month, I wanted to share my November "Feels Like Home" kit layouts from Scraptastic Club!

"The Best Day" supplies | Feels Like Home kit, Feels Like Home add-on, Feels Like Home digital files, Ain't No Sunshine stamp set

This layout was actually created for the Sketchy Thursday blog post, but as it was the week of Thanksgiving, I completely forgot to post it to the Scraptastic Club blog! Here's a look at the sketch: 

Hey Turkey supplies | Feels Like Home kit, Feels Like Home add-on, Feels Like Home digital files, This Life Noted November 2015 digital files, November 2015 This Life Noted kit

This fun layout documents a Thanksgiving craft that my daughter created, with my help. I love adding in bits from the This Life Noted kit and digital files. 

"Girlies" supplies | Feels Like Home kit, Feels Like Home add-on, Ain't No Sunshine stamp set, Feels Like Home stamp set

This cute layout was featured on the Scraptastic Club blog as a challenge to use two 4" x 6" photos on a layout. 

"Just Play" supplies | Feels Like Home kit, Feels Like Home add-on, November 2015 This Life Noted kit

This layout, which turned out completely different from the rest (I love how you can get such a different feel from the same kit!), was shown in a previous blog post. Check it out for more info! 

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check out all of Scraptastic Club's kit subscriptions for more info! 

Scraptastic Club Feels Like Home Kits: Just Play

Every month, I go through my Scraptastic Club kit and begin to create layouts, but for my first few layouts, I use the same colors, and in this case, my first three layouts created with the Feels Like Home kit and add-on (sold out) have a fall-like feel. So, for my next layout, I decided to switch it up and really show the versatility in the kit by creating a bright, sunny layout.

The exclusive papers this month, designed by Kaitlin Sheaffer, were some of my favorites from the entire year! On this layout, two of the three (the yellow and teal) are exclusives. The journaling tag, cut from the exclusive cut-apart sheet in the add-on, is something I look forward to every month.

The title was created with the Elle's Studio grey alpha stickers and the "play" wood veneer from Freckled Fawn.

My embellishment from the main kit included the vellum leaves and acrylic arrow. From the add-on, I used flowers and leaves cut from the Pink Paislee Cedar Lane floral paper, and the Heidi Swapp word bubble. From this month's This Life Noted kit, I added enamel dots, a washi tape circle from the Pink Paislee Cedar Lane washi book, and the star strip cut-apart. 

To finish off my layout, I printed my journaling on the exclusive cut-apart journaling tag and tucked it in between the patterned paper layers. All in total, the layout took me about thirty minutes to complete.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Elle's Studio November Exclusive Kit Reveal

The Elle's Studio November exclusive kit is here and perfect for documenting your special memories this month! 

The exclusive add-ons are so fantastic this month, with the Happy Holidays stamp set being my favorite! 

In addition to that, the November digital cut files are so versatile to use on a project of any subject or theme. On my layout, "You Are My Joy," I used the die-cut 'joy' for a non-Christmas themed layout!

On this layout, I paired the kit and add-ons with both the Joyful and Thankful collections, which worked seamlessly. 

The kit and two other add-ons, the Holiday acrylic mix and the Family wood veneer, in addition to the Joyful collection and Jordan alphabet stamps, helped me create this Christmas-themed layout!

If you're looking for inspiration to put your kit and add-ons to work, you will definitely want to check out the exclusive kit mini course for only $4.99! This month's contributors, Emily Spahn, Jennifer Ingle and Barbara Picinich, will definitely leave you wanting to create. 

Be sure to check out all of the new offerings this month over at the Elle's Studio shop! This month you can get free shipping on your $50+ order with coupon code HOLIDAYS. Happy creating! 

Scraptastic Club Riptide Kits: Cheers

I am loving the bright, fun colors in the Riptide kit and add-on from Scraptastic Club this month, especially since there is no sign of autumn here in Texas! Lately, I've been feeling the need to make things simple- it could be me just preparing for busy times ahead, or the fact that I'm creating during nap time, but I'm loving this natural progression in my layouts. Today's layout was just that- quick and simple. 

With the start of October here, we saw a slight drop in temperature, enough to allow us to eat dinner outside. I was so lucky to capture this photo on one of those cooler evenings, when we were celebrating having Daddy back after being away two weeks on business.

On this layout, I utilized the power of the diagonal line to draw your eye right through the photo, with the placement of embellishment, tags, and rub-ons. I love the mix of Amy Tangerine Finder's Keepers and Elle's Studio Thankful- the two collections just work so well together! 

Along with the kits, I used the Riptide digital files, Riptide stamp set, and Planner stamp set (which I am loving the small size to just add little bits to my layout- like I did here with "dinner" next to my journaling tag.) 

Thanks for stopping by today! Check out more inspiration using the Riptide kits here on the Scraptastic Club Riptide pin board.

Elle's Studio Exclusive Kit Reveal!

The Elle's Studio October exclusive kit is live and in the Elle's Studio shop! The kit is lovely, colorful and perfect for documenting your memories, whether fall related or not. 

In addition to the kit, the gorgeous Tradition stamp set is the perfect addition to the kit contents. 

This month, when you purchase both the October exclusive kit and the Tradition stamp set, you will receive this month's Exclusive Kit Mini Course for free via email! The contributors, Leanne Allison, Joy Taylor and Natalie Elphinstone, share some fabulous projects, along with helpful tips and techniques for getting your kit used to document your memories.

In addition to the kit and the stamp, the Home printables and October cut files coordinate nicely with the colors and elements in the kit. 

Also don't forget about the acrylic houses and vellum feather add-ons! Be sure to use code 'Thankful' to get free shipping on your $50 order.

My first layout used the kit along with the new Thankful collection, Home printables, Tradition stamp set and acrylic houses. I tried out a new color scheme of salmon pink, grey and navy, and I love how it turned out. 

The only non-Elle's Studio items that I added to this layout were the chipboard heart and house from Crate Paper, and the salmon pink polka dot paper. I love how the kit, add-ons and Thankful collection coordinated with items I already had in my stash!

My second layout, with a completely different color scheme, uses the kit, the diamonds and feathers in the Tradition stamp set, and the vellum feather add-on, along with papers from the Thankful collection. I took the color cues from my photo to challenge myself to create this primary colored layout, and I'm so happy with the say it turned out, especially the memory that it documented.

Photography by Donya Luana. 

I have to say that this month's stamp set just may be my favorite Elle's Studio stamp set to date! There are so many possibilities with this one.

Be sure to hop on over to the Elle's Studio shop and check out all of the new goodies available this month. We can't wait to see what you create with the kit! 

Jot Magazine: October Mood Board Layout

Happy October! Not only am I excited about cooler weather, Halloween and pumpkin everything, I'm also excited about the October mood board over on the Jot blog, which released yesterday! 

So many beautiful possibilities! When I first saw the board, I was a bit nervous, as I'm not much of a messy, mixed-media type of gal. I instead focused on the colors and themes from the board, and added "mixed-media looking" products, but in a non-messy way! 

Supplies | Paper: Crate Paper (grid), Fancy Pants (black text), Scraptastic Club (green text), Studio Calico (clouds), American Crafts (green strip). Embellishment: American Crafts (transparent photo overlay, chipboard hearts), My Mind's Eye ("world" rub-on, dashed heart rub-on, dark blue brads, map heart chipboard, gold heart sticker, gold dots), Studio Calico (black mini alpha), Pink Paislee (black "arrivals" chipboard), Scraptastic Club (flair, "hello" tag, "go, see, do" die-cut). Stamps: Scraptastic Club ("travel notes"), Stampin' Up! ("Watercolor Wash"). Other: Stampin' Up! (ink), Studio Calico (black mist), sewing machine.

After choosing the paper I would use for the layout, I pulled out my Watercolor Wash background stamp from Stampin' Up! and stamped it twice on my background grid paper, giving the appearance of a painted background without the mess. I had originally placed the painted black chipboard hearts on the layout and planned to watercolor with green paint inside of them, but once I moved the chipboard heart, I loved the look of the green watercolored hearts on their own! 

With the world map image in the mood board, I knew I wanted my layout to have a travel theme, but I didn't want it to be overly "travel," so I pulled papers and embellishment with subtle map prints, and travel words. The pale green and white graphic paper from Scraptastic Club is one of my favorite exclusive prints that I have received in my kits!

I also loved the contrast of having some black on the layout, especially the "arrivals" chipboard from Pink Paislee's Atlas collection.

Be sure to create your project using the mood board as a starting point by October 31st, and post to the Jot blog post to win a fabulous prize. The Jot Girls love seeing all of the beautiful project each month!

Scraptastic Club Skinny Love: Not Just a Pretty Face

Remember that on my last post, I said that I created two layouts in one day? That's how much I love the Skinny Love kits from Scraptastic Club and today I'm here to share the second layout with you. 

Because I love these kits so much, this layout came together quite easily. The photo, taken only a few days ago, was just screaming to be paired with the Skinny Love stamp sentiment, "not just a pretty face," as my daughter, at the age of two, picked up a National Geographic in Whole Foods and started browsing. Taking cues from the colors in my photo, I decided on a yellow and teal color scheme, with black and brown neutrals.  The patterned papers, floral from Crate Paper and the butterfly print a Scraptastic exclusive, topped my layout. A yellow exclusive journaling tag from the add-on, along with the die-cut tag which houses my title, surrounded my photo on the bottom, while the exclusive "the bestest" die-cut topped it.

Now for my favorite part - the embellishment - which flanked my photo on the right and left sides. I layered a printable heart circle on top of the Scraptastic exclusive cork ribbon piece and added a puffy "E," my daughter's first initial. I tucked the Crate Paper "today" tag just behind my photo and layered it on top of the ribbon. To the right of my journaling tag, I added the Studio Calico washi tape and topped with a Crate Paper puffy heart and mini letter "A." A felt and acrylic heart and a few gold chipboard dots and a splatter of black mist finished off the right side.

On the left side, I tucked a date tag under my photo at the top. I then used the Studio Calico washi strip again, and topped it with an exclusive "bright" cork circle, then a puffy "2" from the Crate Paper Wonder collection. On my title tag, I tied a thick piece of baker's twine.

I have to say that this layout, in terms of the photo, the product and colors, may just be my favorite of the entire year, and it was created in about 40 minutes. 

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend. Make some memories to document!

Scraptastic Club September Main Kit: Using the Stencil

Each Scraptastic Club main kit includes a stencil, and the pattern on the Skinny Love stencil this month is perfect for creating a background! I decided to use it in two different ways. First, on my layout, I repeated the pattern four different times to create a background for my photo mat, using a grey ink pad and a sponge dauber. 

After I sponged my background, I framed it with strips of patterned paper, also from the Skinny Love main kit, and added my photo mat on top.

To create my title, I cut the word "happy" from the Crate Paper Wonder "Bright Paper" pattern and added the "little you" banner on top of the Pinkfresh dip-dyed tag.

The exclusive, along with Crate Paper embellishments in the kit helped me to add the final perfect touches, along with a few drips of mist.

I had so much fun with the stencil, I decided to use it in a different way to create a card, outlining it with fine-tipped markers, and then coloring in some random bits with a blender pen.

There you have it! Two great ways to use an awesome stencil in a lovely kit! Thanks for stopping by. 

Elle's Studio September Exclusive Kit Reveal

Hello there! Wow, the 10th sure comes around quickly! Today is the September exclusive kit reveal at Elle's Studio and there is SO much to check out! 

The kit is a mix of lovely bold colors and neutrals with everyday sayings, as well as some fun cat and dog tags! 

The "For the Record" printables and digital cut files will stretch your kit even further! 

The coordinating stamp set and acrylic stars are sure to put the perfect finishing touch on your project! 

When you purchase your kit, be sure to check out this month's mini course to give you more ideas and inspiration on how to kill your kit and get your memories documented. At only $4.99 for 11 pages of inspiration, it's a bargain! The contributor's projects are amazing! 

Elle's new collections, Thankful and Joyful, are also in the shop today! Be sure to bundle them with the kit to save on shipping! 

This month, I paired the exclusive kit with the Thankful collection to create a page about my daughter's love for her surrogate grandmother- our close family friend, since both sets of grandparents live far away. 

Elle's Studio Supplies: September exclusive kit, Thankful (paper collection pack, cork pieces, bits & pieces, cutouts), Jordan solid alphabet stamp, September cut files, Adorbs stamp set. Other supplies: Crate Paper chipboard pennants and ampersand, Studio Calico enamel dots, Stampin' Up! ink.

I love that the Thankful collection can be both soft and feminine and boyish, as you will see in my next layout about our lovely Golden Retriever, Toby.

Elle's Studio Supplies: September exclusive kit, Thankful (paper collection pack, cork pieces, bits & pieces, word labels, grey letter and number stickers), Adorbs stamp set, acrylic stars. Other supplies: Studio Calico chipboard shapes & enamel dots.

Thanks for coming by to see what Elle's Studio is offering this month to help you document your stories! Be sure to follow Elle's Studio on Instagram to keep up with the latest news and exciting giveaways coming up! 

Jot Magazine September 2015 Mood Board Layout

Welcome back after a long, Labor Day weekend! I was busy in my studio, creating with the Jot Magazine September mood board.

It is so refreshing to see such a different color palette, with some amazing patterns! It only took me about 30 minutes to complete my layout, and I also have a process video to share with you!

I was so excited to be able to break into my new stash of the Elle's Studio Thankful collection to complete this page. The blue floral and blue ikat papers worked perfectly with the mood board!

Be sure to create your own project using the mood board as a jump-start, and upload to the mood board post before the end of the month for a chance to win a fantastic prize from Elle's Studio! 

Tutorial: Print and cut journaling inside a circle

I recently shared a layout, "The Twos" that included a circular cut file in the background. To keep my design clean and consistent, I decided to include my journaling on the largest die-cut circle. My writing, however hard I try, is not very small, so to get all of my words down in the 2" circle, I was going to have to type it on my computer and print it out, and I figured that the quickest way to cut it would be with my Silhouette Cameo. Today I'd like to share this process with you using Photoshop Elements and Silhouette Studio software, so that you can try it on your next layout! 

1. In Photoshop or Photoshop Elements using the ellipse tool, draw a circle just smaller than the diameter of the circle that you will be adding to your layout. In my case, my largest die-cut background circle was just over 2" in diameter, so I sized my circle at 2", using the ellipse option menu at the upper left side of the toolbar.

2. Choose your horizontal text tool. Although the screen shot doesn't show it, when you hover your cursor over the edge of your circle after choosing this tool, a small circle appears behind your cursor. When you see that, click and the boundaries of your text box will be placed inside that circle.

3. Type your journaling so that it fits inside the circle. You can adjust the font and size to make it fill up the entire circle shape. Once your journaling is complete, save the file as a PNG. 

4. Open Silhouette Studio software and in the Design Page Settings menu, make your sheet 8-1/2" x 11", and turn on the print and cut border. Locate your PNG file and drag and drop it into this new document, being sure not to adjust the size. Your text should be well inside the print border lines.

5. Using the ellipse shape tool on the toolbar, draw a circle. In the Scale menu, adjust your circle size to fit your die-cut size, which is slightly larger than your journaling circle, in my case 2.2" in diameter. Turn on your registration marks in the Registration Marks menu and be sure that everything fits inside the guides. 

6. Print your journaling from the Silhouette Studio software. This will also print the registration marks, which are the key to being sure that your circle will cut in the correct place.

7. Once your journaling is printed, load the paper in your Silhouette Cameo and cut according to the paper type settings for your chosen paper. The Silhouette should cut it exactly as it is shown on your screen and you can then adhere to your layout! 

I hope you find this useful on your next project! Thanks for stopping by!

The Twos

Since I became pregnant, I've heard that the "terrible twos" are a definite force to be reckoned with, however, I was a bit spoiled for the first six months of Lizzy's second year of life, and I figured that they just weren't going to be an issue for us.

Until now.

In the past two weeks, the terrible twos have hit us hard. Screaming, kicking, and just general grumpy moods have now become a new thing to deal with here in the Andrew household. The phrase that echoes around the house now is, "I NO LIKE [insert object/person]," whether it is aimed at a toy she is tired of playing with, or myself or Simon. It has definitely been a game-changer for us in terms of planning activities and in how we approach her. 

In my life of documenting, I try to get both the good and the bad down on paper, so you can probably expect to see quite a few photos of a moody toddler in the future. On a recent trip to Lexington, Kentucky, my alma-mater town, I wanted to snap a few photos of her in front of the fountain at Triangle Park, but, surprisingly, she didn't have the same plans.

Instead of filing this photo away in the "uncooperative toddler" file, I decided to scrapbook it with the True Colors kit and add-on from Scraptastic Club. The beautiful Dear Lizzy wide washi tape included in the add-on matched Lizzy's outfit perfectly from that day, so that was the starting point for my layout.

To create my fun, artsy background, I cut the True Colors digital cut file from the same white cardstock that I used for my background. I also punched circles, corresponding to the size of the circles in the cut file, from watercolor paper. Using the pie shapes in the cut file as a guide, I used my Stampin' Up ink pads and a water brush to watercolor the colors from the washi tape in the circles.

Since I already had a lot going on in my background, I kept my embellishment simple with pieces from both the kit and add-on, as well as the True Colors printables.

To make my journaling fit into the design of the layout, I decided to put it inside the largest circle on my background. Typing it up in Photoshop Elements and cutting it out with the Silhouette Cameo was quite easy. Look for the tutorial on how you can do this too on Monday! 

Have a great weekend! 

Around the web...

Summer is busy around here. We have been enjoying time spent with family, going on adventures and taking it easy at the same time. I have been living in the moment, which means that I haven't shared everything that I've been doing around the scrapbooking web-o-sphere lately. So today, I'd just like to give you a head's up on a few places I've been featured.

Basic Grey June Guest Designer

I was so excited to be asked as the Basic Grey guest designer for the month of June! I created four different layouts using the Tea Garden collection, which at first I was afraid would be a bit busy for me. However, the beautiful colors drew me in and I created four projects that I absolutely love, not to mention am so proud of. Check out the original guest designer post on the Basic Grey blog to see my other projects. 

Pocket Talk Podcast

Layout featured in Jot Magazine, Issue 10.

Earlier this month, I sat down to have a chat with the lovely Jess Forster on her podcast, Pocket Talk. I have been a listener since episode one, and when she asked me to chat with her, I was so excited. In my episode, episode 12, we chat about my pocket page documentation failures and successes, as well as how I photograph and edit my pocket page photos for design team work. 

Traveler's Notebook for Scraptastic Club

Yesterday, I was featured on the Scraptastic Club blog using the packed, beautiful "Can't Go Home" kit and add-on to make a traveler's notebook insert that I plan to use on an upcoming trip to Boston. The process was so easy and I can't wait to use it to document my trip! 

If you want to be sure to catch everything I'm up to in my personal, as well as scrapbooking life, I update my Instagram account regularly, so be sure to follow me there! 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you're having a wonderful summer! 

Elle's Studio July Exclusive Kit Reveal

Hello there and happy Friday! The new Elle's Studio exclusive kit is live and beautiful, and along with the main kit, the coordinating add-ons will help you create beautiful layouts, pocket pages and cards!

In addition to the kit, the Weekend printables and July cut files will help to add that extra touch to your projects.

In addition to the awesome Weekend stamp this month, new acrylic stars coordinate with the colors in the kit.

This month, I created a layout and a card with the kit and add-ons. I loved the celebratory 'American' feel of the kit this month, and a recent photo taken at a baseball game seemed perfect to document with these goodies. 

ES Supplies used: July exclusive kit, 'Weekend' stamp, acrylic stars, 'Weekend' printable, July cut file, 'Let's Eat' paper collection ('Meal Planner' paper), letter & number stickers-teal. Other supplies: Studio Calico (glitter stars, 'Hooray' banner), Gossamer Blue ('We are here' arrow), Evalicious (gold puffy camera), American Crafts (red chipboard alpha), enamel dots. 

I also created a colorful, celebration card with the kit. I loved joining the kit tag with the tag from the Weekend printable! 

ES supplies used: July exclusive kit, 'Weekend' stamp, acrylic stars, 'Weekend' printable, 'Let's Eat' paper collection ('This + That' paper). Other supplies: Ribbon (American Crafts- teal, Stamping' Up!- yellow & pom pom), enamel dots.

Remember, the kit will be $9.99 for TODAY ONLY. Also, the first 150 orders placed will receive a free lovely acrylic embellishment! 

Jot Magazine Issue 10: Story Telling

Today I'd like to share a layout with you that was featured in Jot Magazine's Issue 10, which released on June 1st. This celebratory 2nd birthday issue is jam packed with inspiration from my fellow design team members as well as readers. My layout, "Leg!" was featured in the "Story Telling" gallery and our assignment this month was to document funny sayings from our loved ones. Months ago, I snapped this photo of Lizzy and I playing ball by setting my DSLR camera on the floor and using the timer. As soon as I read the assignment, I knew this photo would be perfect to document an everyday activity here at our home.

Supplies | Cardstock: Bazzill. Patterned papers: Shimelle for American Crafts (ledger & pink dots), Studio Calico (letters), We R Memory Keepers (stars), Crate Paper (vellum); Embellishments: Heidi Swapp (letters & metal clip), Studio Calico (heart), Gossamer Blue (‘happy memories’ banner, ‘together’ chipboard), Crate Paper (tag, tab sticker), American Crafts (house puffy sticker, wooden flair, small stars & heart stickers), Simple Stories (chipboard frame); Stamp: Scraptastic Club; Other: Stampin’ Up! (ink & twine)

The story: One of Lizzy's favorite activities is playing ball, but she is very particular on how it will be played. She shouts, "leg!" whenever she wants to play, which means that you have to sit down on the floor wherever you are standing, and spread your legs so that she can pass the ball to you. She's a bit demanding, but still quite cute. 

How I created this layout: 

1. I printed a 4"x6" photo and matted with a 4-1/2" x 6-1/2" piece of white cardstock. 
2. Next I layered three different patterned papers at the upper half of a 12"x12" sheet of ledger patterned paper and adhered the photo to the top of the layers with dimensional adhesive.
3. At the upper right-hand corner of the photo, I tucked a tab label behind the photo & add a 'love' sticker. To the right of the label, I added a metal clip and slid the 'happy memories' die-out label under it.
4. At the bottom left-hand corner of the photo, I added a grouping of embellishment. I framed a piece of vellum in a chipboard frame, and added a tag on top, on which I stapled a transparent heart. On top of that, I added another chipboard element, the 'together' circle. On the left side of the frame I added a puffy sticker house and a wooden enamel button. The frame served as the base for all of the embellishment in this grouping.
5. At the right bottom corner of the embellishment grouping, I added a 'today documented' stamp.
6. At the bottom right-hand corner of the patterned paper grouping, I added a large title in transparent letters. Beneath it, I handwrote my journaling.
7. To finish off my layout, I added three different groupings of small heart and star stickers.

Thanks for stopping by! Over the next couple of weeks, I will be sharing my Jot Issue 10 layouts here on my blog, but in the meantime, check out the full, FREE issue of Jot today!  

Two Page Layout Challenge

Today on the Scraptastic Club blog, myself and some fellow design team members were challenged to create a two-page spread. After thinking about it (and dreading it!) I decided that a two page spread didn't have to be two 12"x12" layouts! I decided to document an event which I had several photos of and create one 12"x12" layout and one pocket page spread, so that I could share all of the other photos that complete the story of a family road trip to San Antonio in April 2014.

To say that I love this spread is an understatement. Everything about it makes me happy- from the beautiful colors in the Scraptastic Club's May 2015 Janglin' kit and add-on, to the perfect cards from the April 2015 TLN kit that worked so well with the photos. 

Since the Pinkfresh Studio background patterned paper that I used was quite busy (the bright colors called to me!) I kept the rest of the layout as simple as possible. To break up the vertical lines on the left, I added a manufacturer's strip just underneath the orange horizontal line, which also served as a place for my title AND helps to draw your eye from the photo to the pocket page spread on the right.

To break up all of the lines on the page, I added a triangle of three circles, punched from another Pinkfresh Studio In The Clouds paper in the kit. These circles housed additional embellishments and a part of my title.

On the right side, I chose cards from the April 2015 TLN kit that had the same colors as on the left. The three cards I chose were perfect accompaniments to my photos and the story. 

To create balance from the left to the right sides, I added circular elements to my pocket pages. On this card, I traced a dashed circle around the 'let's go' title and added mini alphas, vellum arrows and enamel dots. 

This 'weekend adventure' card was embellished with more circles- punched, from a die-cut pack, a sticker sheet and a flair badge. It's purely for embellishment & it is my favorite on the spread.

That's all from me today! Thanks for stopping by! How do you feel about double-page spreads? Do they intimidate you? 

Scraptastic Club Janglin' Main Kit Process Video

Hello there! I just wanted to let you know that I'm sharing a new layout using the Scraptastic Club's May 2015 Janglin' kit, with a process video over on the Scraptastic Club blog today. I really love challenging myself to create with a main kit only, as it usually means that I create SO much faster than my normal 2-3 hour time frame for a page.

You can see the entire process for this layout, which I absolutely love, in my video. 

Do you love working with main kits only if you're a kit subscriber? 

Elle's Studio May Kit Reveal

The Elle's Studio May exclusive kit is releasing a day early this month to keep the 10th all about Mom! This beautiful kit has everything you need to document your stories this month, including tags for Dad!

In addition to the kit this month, there is an exclusive 'Good Day' stamp, as well as printables and cut files. 

For my first project, I used the kit tags exclusively, along with the digital cut files to create a Father's Day card for my dad. 

Supplies: May exclusive kit, May cut files

After going through a box of old photos from my childhood, I found this gem of my daddy and I on the beach in Florida at sunset. I changed the image to black and white, added the PNG 'Dad, You're the Best' file at the top corner and recolored it to match the kit. Just adding a few small tags, a cork button and a few enamel dots finished off the card.

For my second project, I created a 12"x12" layout, and hand stitched the 'sunshine' tag, as well as cut out and hand stitched the kite. The colors in this kit worked perfectly with this photo of my girl.

Supplies: May exclusive kit, February exclusive kit, Cienna stickers, Yellow letter & number stickers, Shine 'So Bright' paper, Cienna 'Hello Beautiful' paper, Cienna 'Tiny Notes' paper

To grab your kit on launch day for $9.99, check out the Elle's Studio store! 

Jot Magazine March Mood Board

The Jot Magazine mood board has been posted for March, and its blue, teal, green and yellow color scheme will inspire you to create!

This month, I was so instantly inspired by the colors, I knew exactly what photo I wanted to document- a quayside photo from a beautiful French town that we visited in 2011, La Rochelle.

Supplies: Paper- Studio Calico (background), Shimelle for American Crafts (yellow, teal herringbone & 'Go Somewhere Lovely' cut), Elle's Studio (blue floral), Chickaniddy Crafts (teal heart); Embellishment- American Crafts (cork Thickers, Shimelle ticket die-cut, mini clothespins), Crate Paper (banner border), Elle's Studio (cork), October Afternoon (chipboard journaling card), Studio Calico (ribbon, enamel dots, 'enjoy every minute' stamp)

To create this layout, I used a lot of old product, and items that were sitting in my 'anything' bowl on my desk. That's the bowl that houses leftover pieces of ribbon, small pieces of die-cuts and embellishments that I don't feel like organizing in their correct place. Please remind me to get rid of that black hole for embellishments! 

The background patterned paper, from the February 2013 Studio Calico Front Row kit, was actually saved for the yellow diagonal stripe B-side, but when I saw the nautical images on this side of the paper, I knew it would be perfect for this photo. I added additional papers from the Shimelle collection 6x6 paper pad, along with a Shimelle die-cut tag and topped it all with a lot of older embellishments- DIY Shop Thickers by American Crafts, Elle's Studio cork, and October Afternoon mini alphas and chipboard. 

The mood board was so inspiring that my layout came together in about 30 minutes. Completed during nap time. Ultra score. Be sure to check out what the other Jot Girls created with the board and link up your own creation on the mood board page before the end of the month.