Monday, March 30, 2015

Birthday Snuggles Layout

Well, I told you I was inspired by that sketch a couple days ago, didn't I?  Yup! I'm still using it. This time, I flipped it upside down and gave it a whirl. Here, let me flip it for you...



Well, that was fun! I think I'm going to have to visit the sketch gallery over at Scrapbook & Cards Today for some more. What do you think? 


I created my title in Silhouette and used the negative image for the base followed by the rest of the title cut from a double layer of vellum. Although the vellum was coral it started to look pink once it was cut out and layered, so I took a melon colored marker and tinted it a bit darker from the backside before adhering it. 


This "*the cutest thing ever" and the "August" on my date tab are both rub-ons from Crate Paper. I am absolutely in love with rub-ons. I wish more companies would make them. They're way more satisfying than stamps for applications like this.


In case you can't tell, this layout uses three Project Life cards. The one with my journaling on it, the striped piece behind my photo edge, and the laser cut wood veneer. They all came from my Studio Calico Project Life kits. Well, all of the papers, embellishments, & even the tag die on this layout were from Studio Calico kits. I think the only things that aren't are the date stamp (Becky Higgins), the die cut tab (Chic Tags), and that tiny little star clip (Making Memories). I have a whole little trinket dish full of those in my desk. They're just lovely, and I wish Making Memories was still making collections. I loved their stuff. :-(


Any-who... I really hope you like my layout today. If you have a project based on S&CT's sketch, please feel free to share it with us. I know I would love to see and share your projects. Stay crafty, my friends!
Supply List:
Cardstock - American Crafts (Storm)
Patterned Paper - Studio Calico "Compli-mint-ary" (Far Far Away kit) & "Grid 01"
Vellum - Studio Calico "Poet Society" kit (Doodlebug - coral)
Ombre Thread - Coats
Sewing Machine - Singer
Machines - Silhouette of America, Cuttlebug, Singer
Printer & Photo Paper - HP
Date Stamp - Becky Higgins
Star Clip - Making Memories
Trimmer - Fiskar's
Tag Die: Studio Calico
Project Life Cards: Studio Calico (Grand Central, Mirror Mirror, & Far Far Away)
Tab Die Cut Shape - Chic Tags
Marker: Stampin Up! "Crisp Cataloupe"
Rub-Ons: Crate Paper "Notes & Things"
Adhesives - Glue Dots, & This to That foam dots & tape runner (American Crafts)

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Gardaland Birthday Layout

 I don't remember the last time I used a sketch to make a layout, but I was super inspired by the one I found over at Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine. They have tons of free sketches you can check out here.


Since I'm not really a 12x12 scrapper, I scaled it down a bit to fit 8.5x11 and since I didn't have quite this many photos of the event I wanted to scrap, I combined the three pictures on the right of the sketch into one giant picture and changed the photo from the upper left into a little map showing where we were in the world. We had only been living in Italy a couple months, so I felt like the map was an important element I wanted to capture. 


I designed my title in Silhouette Studio using the designer edition. I really wanted to mimic the "Gardaland" sign that you see in the background of the photo. I originally had a very similar font as well, but it just didn't work for me, so I switched it to something more modern and clean. I covered the "birthday" part in glossy accents and popped the whole title up with foam dots. Normally I don't do a whole lot of 3D stuff on layouts since pages go into flat scrapbooks, but this just felt like it was needed for balance with the other thick embellishments on the page. 


Here you can see how thick the flair badge and enamel stars are. The flair is from my March Studio Calico card kit and the stars are from the coordinating Project Life kit. Just about everything on this layout is from a Studio Calico kit in fact. (It's just so easy that way.)


In my usual style, I added some stitching along the border of the layout and also along the washi strip on my tag. I thought it gave a nod to the perforated ticket idea. The journaling on my tag (Heidi Swapp) was done using my printer. I just measured my tag, created a text box of the same size in Word and printed it out. I did a test print first to ensure it would fit, then I taped my tag on top of the printer paper and ran it back through again. Perfect journaling every time!


Well, I hope you like the layout. If you create a layout using the sketch, I'd love to see it. I just think sketches are so fun. Everyone sees them in a different light. It's almost like a game of telephone. You never know what will come out at the other end of the game. 

Thanks for visiting!
Supply List:
Cardstock - American Crafts
Patterned Paper - Studio Calico (kit subscription)
Thread - Coats
Sewing Machine - Singer
Electronic Cutting Machine - Silhouette of America
Printer & Photo Paper - HP
Date Stamp - American Crafts (Shimelle)
Twine - Lilly Belle's Paperie (Etsy)
Trimmer - Fiskar's
Kraft Tag & Enamel Outline Sticker - Heidi Swapp
Veneer Smile Face - Freckled Fawn 
"Awesome" Flair - My Mind's Eye
Resin Stars, Washi Tape, & Gold Die Cut Circle - Studio Calico (kit subscription)
Tab Die Cut Shape - October Afternoon
Adhesives - Glossy Accents, Glue Dots, & This to That foam dots & tape runner (American Crafts)

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Flash Sale!

*Free shipping valid for domestic orders only. $30 penalty for canceling early. Flash Sale ends 3/25/15 at 11:59 pm EST. First kit free offer valid only on new subscriptions started with Odyssey kit and requires a 6-month commitment. Free shipping valid for domestic orders only. Add the Odyssey kit to your cart and the corresponding promo code. Early subscription cancellations are subject to $30 termination fee. Not valid on previous purchases. Must enter promo code at checkout. Refunds will not be issued for misused or non-entered codes. 

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Enjoy the Spring Issue Now!


Hooray! The spring issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today is now available in select stores and for free download/viewing on their website!
Brimming with inspiration, this issue includes: 
  • fresh idea for spring 
  • day planner style for your layouts 
  • back to basics - new uses for classic supplies 
  • step up your snapshots with Elisha Snow 
  • creative cards by Jennifer McGuire 
  • meet our 2015 creative team 
  • bonus cutting files 
  • ... and a reader’s gallery full of stunning inspiration including a layout created by ME!

The talented designers have once again filled this issue with amazing inspiration, creativity and clever ideas for you to try.
I hope you'll head on over to check it out and let me know what you think. :-)