Hooray For Sweaters, Boots & Pumpkins

There are some things that make me smile. My warm boots on a crisp fall day is one of these things. I really loved this Instagram picture of my Uggs and a couple of pumpkins that we carved for Halloween. I really loved how the orange pops against the grey of my house steps. I started with this wonderful stitched heart in the Silhouette Online Store. I stretched out the heart so that it would span the entire 12x12 space, and used a ton of bright and fabulous patterns paired with a simplistic background.

The wonderful title is actually the Happy Harvest Printable from Life Love Paper I also added a few alphas for some extra pop, and pulled in the orange in a wonderful triangle of interest. LOVE! Pin It

AUTHENTIQUE: A "Spirited" Two-Page Layout with Kiwi Lane Designs

Today I have a great two-page layout using Authentique's Spirited Collection and Kiwi Lane Templates. In this layout, I wanted to showcase quite a few photos from last year's pumpkin patch visit.

I started with two sheets of Twisted, then layered Oblique and Labyrinth papers that were cut using the Scallops Templates and Paisley Place Templates from Kiwi Lane. I then added large sections of both Conjure and Ominous as my photo "mats".

I then cut a cute bracket using Caution and the Kiwi Lane Tiny Bracket Templates.

Those pumpkins are actually balloons! I flipped the Kiwi Lane Tiny Celebrate Templates upside down, and then added a die cut stem. to make them more "pumpkin-y". Some of the pieces are popped up using some black craft foam and my Xyron 1.5" sticker maker. I love using foam that matches the colors I'm using in my layouts so that it doesn't stand out.

Then I added a lot of details using Authentique's Details 12x12 cardstock sticker, Components 6x12 paper die cut, Petite Diction mini word sticker, and the Stamp Blocks 4x12 paper die cuts. I also scattered a bunch of die cut sequins and stars around the layout.

I love how each page both works together, but can also work separately as well. The Kiwi Lane Templates make it easy to pull together.

Hope you have a few more ideas on how to make your own fun layouts using Authentique and Kiwi Lane.

 

Supplies Used:

Authentique's Spirited Collection: Labyrinth, Ominous, Twisted, Caution, Dancette, Conjure, Oblique, Foundation One distressed solid, Details 12x12 cardstock sticker, Components 6x12 paper die cut, Petite Diction mini word sticker, Stamp Blocks 4x12 paper die cuts, 6x6 Bundle

Kiwi Lane Templates: Kiwi Lane Scallops Templates, Kiwi Lane Paisley Place Templates, Kiwi Lane Tiny Bracket Templates, Kiwi Lane Tiny Celebrate Templates

Other Supplies: Distress Ink (Black Soot), Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker, Xyron Mega Runner, Xyron Double-Sided High Tack 1/2" Tape, craft foam, Spellbinders Orchard Harvest Tags & Accents (pumpkin leaves), Mama Elephant Creative Cuts (Confetti), Prima Collection (Flower), ZIG Wink of Stella pen

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August Gossamer Blue Layouts!! (The Non-Travel Edition)

I will admit, when I saw Gossamer Blue's August kit, I was stumped. We had no real trips planned, and I was getting caught up on the subject of the papers, rather than simply embrace the wonderful colors that were available to me. Once I made this layout, I felt that I had captured the spirit of the papers even though I hadn't really gone on vacation.

This fun (and bright!) layout was created to display the airplane that my oldest was able to see. I loved all of the travel/airplane elements in the October Afternoon paper and Basic Grey elements. I was even able to use the Elle's Studio stamp! The cut is from the GB kit, but it got a little "weathered" in the making of it, so I just went with it and distressed it even further. Happy Accidents!

I loved this picture of my oldest (and her two friends). Mainly because I felt it was the worst space/alien/robot costume ever. I totally forgot about making her costume and it was the last week of school. Hence the box with tin foil. And markers. I'll do better this next year, I promise! I have no idea what the song they sung was, and Google is no help lately, but the title comes from one of the lines.

I absolutely loved this sketch, and am in love with this layout. It is a direct translation of this Silhouette Blog Sketch. I adore sketches. Most of the time, when I have creators block, I turn to a sketch. Sometimes I completely lift the idea, sometimes I totally change and alter it. During the beginning of this layout, I was not in a creative space, and once finished... Had found my mojo once again!

This is one of my favorite non-kid photos. It's a Instagram of the Murray Morgan Bridge in Tacoma. It's this crazy moving bridge that is a local landmark. It seems like the city has been working on it forever, but that's only because someone messed up the construction at some point. I love how the sun's rays just made this amazing. Plus, it gave me another way to use the fun BG location papers.

I hope you enjoyed this month's layouts! Pin It

Authentique Natural Collection Mini Album

Make sure that you head over to the Authentique Blog today for the Scor-Pal/Authentique Blog Hop! Today my neat envelope mini is being featured alongside John's flag mini!! I have included directions for both the envelopes and the mini on the blog.

I used the amazingly beautiful Natural Collection for this project, and am sad to see that I only have scraps leftover now. It's just too pretty!! Pin It

My Project Life Basket: How I Organize My Weekly Scrapbooking Part 1

I figured out the cause of my lack of mojo. An unclean room (since tidied!) and the lingering thought that I haven't really started my summer of Project Life... I like the idea of capturing what goes on during the week, however during the school year it's just not feasible. Not because I cannot keep up, more because life is a lot more monotonous, scheduled, the same each week.

And since I have a studio to work in, I really cannot drag all of my stuff downstairs, or other places. So I created a PL basket. Just enough stuff to create at least a month's of pages without having to have anything additional. I also kind of enjoy not being attached to my Silhouette (blasphemy, I know!!) for everything. I could just go buy the kits, but that's no fun!! I have the page holders, but really just want to use my stash for the filler cards.

Here's my basket!! It seriously has everything I need! I already made a month's worth of pages. In 24 hours. Seriously! Even my cute Xyron 1½" Create-A-Sticker Machine!!

And the other side.

I have quite a few pre-cut 4x6 and 3x4 cards that I made a couple of Silhouette magazine holders for (4x6, 3x4). Include a 6x6 pad of cardstock, and at least one of patterned paper, or the leftovers of one of my Gossamer Blue kits... And the month is set.  

A handful of various letter sets, used up (almost) and brand new. All small and rather thin. This way, I can put them on pics, pages, etc.

Random assortment of enamel dots, flair, Elle's Studio pieces, etc. Anything small and fun.

A date stamp and some sequins. In those little bags that come with sweaters.

Scissors, a ruler, corner chomper, Signo pen, at least one color of journaling pen (but who's counting... I have six on the other side).

Small cutter and 8.5"x11" cutting board.

Mini stapler and a sketch pad.

And here's the beginning of my pages. I'll have to show more this week. I'm super excited to start getting somewhat caught up!!

Tomorrow, I am going to share my tricks for organizing my weeks and my photos. I have a few Apps that I LOVE that make this whole process SO much easier. Especially when I don't have a great photo printer in my house.

And just because... My newly organized buttons and brads! I took out all of the tiny ones... Love the color, NEVER used them.

Don't they look all pretty now?!?!?! Although, I realized I really need more yellow buttons. That one is looking a little lonely.

***Project Life is a system of memory keeping created by Becky Higgins.  You can learn more here***


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Three Summer Projects

I met one deadline, and missed two others. Such is the life of a parent. Even one off for the summer... I even found a funny layout I made just for kicks. It kind of got placed under quite a few things.

The first layout is my take on ScrapbookSteals' Aquamarine #1 and Scrapbook Circle's Challenge #56: "Just My Type". 

The Scrapbook Circle challenge was to include typewriters of some sort. I have loved Amy Tan's original set of papers since I first saw it. It just happens to be an SS purchase also! I loved this paper; all of the safety pins, hangers, planes, sewing machines. cameras and of course, typewriters were just too sweet. I also included a typewriter font that I used my Silhouette and sketch pens for. I love those things! I just found out how to actually use them, and am going to be using them a whole lot more now that I know what they are capable of! I simply placed the journaling in the middle of the cut shape, made the outside cut line "disappear" and then tossed the pen in instead of the blade. After that was done, replace the blade and cut out the shape. SUPER simple. (Seriously, I think the explanation took longer than the actual work!)

My second layout used a bunch of the Lilybee papers from June's Gossamer Blue box. The colors were not my normal go-to colors, so I went with it, and created something totally fun and silly with them using random pics of daily things. And fact: I hate housework. Except cleaning the stove. And mopping sometimes. It's weird. I'm okay with it.

For this layout, I'm late to a challenge once again. Oh well. I won a drawing from one of the fabulous Pretty Little Studio DT members, Heather (thanks Heather!!). I was super stoked to see the amazingness. I took a few pieces of the Saltwater line and pieced together this layout. I added a couple of enamel dots, and some Lilybee alphas. The circles and half circles are all from the wonderful 8x8 hexagon paper. I liked all of the mini patterns, and they were the perfect size size for my 1" punch.

Hope you enjoyed the update! Pin It

I Love How Much You Love Her (GB February)

I love when my girls get along. Really, it is the most perfect thing to see. Miss I wants to read SOOOO badly. So, until this summer comes about, she "reads" to Ro. Which is pretty amazing to see. Both of the girls had no clue that I was snapping photos until Miss Ro checked me out. I was being pretty sly for about a second. 

This layout pretty much fell together using February's Gossamer Blue kit. I double matted the photos. They were originally going to be separate, but I really didn't like how that looked, so matted them again in pink. I used one of the title pieces from the Carta Bella paper. Then used the Carta Bella, Crate Paper and some Basic Grey letters I had to complete the title. Lastly, I embellished using a combination of Pink Paislee hearts, My Mind's Eye enamel dots and a Studio Calico heart.

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It's a Good Day (GB February)

The only problem (and it really isn't a problem!!) with using a kit service, is you do run out of full 12x12 sheets. My solution, (OH DARN!) is to go into my extensive stash and find something that both works with the kit, and the photo. In this case, I went searching through my Sassafras Lass papers. I found this great sheet of Simply Smitten, and checked the back for the most fantastic matching page. It even has journaling lines!!

I even was able to use up almost all of the Amy Tangerine letters that I got earlier! I love when a title makes me use a bunch of otherwise wasted letters.

What isn't shown, is the little kraft envelope behind the photo is actually filled with another photograph taken about seven months after the main image. It's of the two girls laying together on the bed. My hope for the two girls to get along is so far happening. I couldn't be happier! Pin It

ScrapbookSteals' MWM: Pearl 8

I'm finally getting to the bottom of my Summer of '69 Counterfeit Kit. I loved making the kit, and have enjoyed playing with a mixture of colors and patterns that I may not have normally chosen on my own.

This layout is a lovely moment caught with my two daughters. They are fascinated with one another. It's pretty funny to watch. I loved the frame, and have been wanting to use it forever. In this case, I just decided to use it and not think too much about it.

I also used these fun little people that create a heart in the negative space.

I usually write my journaling, but decided to type this out instead. Sometimes I really love just the simplicity of typed writing, and this font was perfect.

I loved using all of these details. The heart, the button, the feather cut, and all of the little features. I'm glad that I used the little features that I haven't used before. Pin It

AUTHENTIQUE: Introducing Peaceful

I love new paper! Especially when I know that I can match with other things that I love. Authentique's new Peaceful line does just that. It is it's own Winter White line, but also can mix with this year's Festive line and last year's Wonder line all too well!

I even played just a little bit with Peaceful, I just loved popping that green out just a little bit more.

As you can see, I've not yet added my journaling on the "tree that wouldn't die". Although, you can see the branch that doesn't light up at all. Nope, not just tricky photo software! While I know that snow layouts may not be in the cards for this Northwest gal, I do know that the soft neutrals are going to be well used this winter season. 

Make sure that you visit the Authentique blog today for your chance to win the Peaceful Collection. Pin It

Counterfeit Kit Challenge: February 2012 Kit

I'm going to do the Counterfeit Kit Challenge again. Last time, I made my kit SOOOO big, that I didn't use hardly any of it. Or at least, that's how it felt. This time, I tried to scale down the paper selection so that it was a little more manageable. I used the Valentine's themed Kit "You+Me" as the basis of my inspiration. Anyway, here are the elements!!

PAPER
Teresa Collins: Travel Ledger-Travel Words
Echo Park: Little Boy-Borders
Sassafras Lass: Sweetly Smitten-Heartfelt
Crate Paper: Portrait Collection-Accent Cuts
Basic Grey: Curio-Cotton (B)
American Crafts: The Classics-Canterbury Tales & kraft
My Little Shoebox-Farmer's Market-Cherries Jubilee (B)
Sassafras Lass: Paper Crush-Pitter Patter
Sassafras Lass: Paper Crush-Sweet Smooches (B)
My Minds Eye: Be-Loved-Lovely Loops
My Minds Eye: Be-Loved-Affectionate Flowers
My Minds Eye: Alphabet Soup-Sunny Stripes
My Minds Eye: Be-Loved-Passionate Paisley
My Minds Eye: Be-Loved-Dearest Dots
My Minds Eye: Lush-Pink Large Polka Dots
My Minds Eye: Alphabet Soup-Little Princess (B)
My Minds Eye: Be-Loved-Sweet Hearts (cut piece)
EMBELLISHMENTS
Sassafras Lass Foldies
Cosmo Cricket Ready-Set-Chip: Togetherness
Sassafras Lass stickers, Paper Whimsies, In-a-Stitch Blooms, Vintage Brooch
MME Lush Rhinestones, Buttons, Bohemia Ribbon
American Crafts Mementos, Bits, Buttons
Teresa Collins Bling
Fancy Pants Chipboard Shapes
Wilton doilies
Prima mini flowers
Twinery twine
AMuse wooden circle
ALPHABETS
AC Thickers: Hardcover (teal, kraft) & Sweet (red)
Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type (clear red & red)
Scenic Route kraft

Here are some details of the kit. I really wanted to include some various kraft elements, both in paper and in the embellishments in order to really follow the kraft in the original kit. I did want to add a few more colors and embellishments than the original kit had however. It seemed light on those elements. 

 

I also included a lot of teals and red. My kit has more teals than the original one, but I own a TON of those colors. I also wanted this to not look only like a Valentine's kit, so wanted the brights to be a part of the kit.

 

Every kit needs the perfect embellishments. I included some that could be Valentine's (Bits), and a lot that could just be great additions to any scrapbook kit.

 

Some of these embellishments have been sitting around my craft area for quite awhile. I may as well use them, and not just save them for later. And those doilies are just too fun. Bling too!

And because I know that this is a holiday month, I am planning on making a couple of small gifts.
EXTRAS
Cosmo Cricket Blackboard mini book
Moleskine ruled notebooks
Kraft bags

I really like the multipurpose nature of this kit. I know that I will be making some Valentine's and birthday cards with this, as well as a few gifts for people. Super excited to get started!!


If you want to get started on your Counterfeit Kit Challenge go to this link and check out the kits for this month!! Pin It