Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!  How are you celebrating and memory keeping today?  I am going to be hosting an in-person class tomorrow beginning at 4 PM.

Have fun celebrating today!

The Next Chapter: Stampin' Up!

Today I officially begin the next chapter of my papercrafting adventure!  I'm really excited to be demonstrator with Stampin' Up!  They have been very generous and welcoming to us former Close To My Heart Makers.

I hope you'll join me for this next chapter!  In fact, my first class will be Sunday, May 5!  Check out (and bookmark) my NEW WEBSITE where you can find the May 5 class info (and can RSVP).  If you're a former CTMH customer/VIP, once you create your Stampin' Up! account (with the email you used with CTMH), then you should be able to find/search CTMH products there.

Aren't the new 2024-2026 In Colors just delectable?  I look forward to sharing lots of fun projects with them!

My blog will be under reconstruction for the next few days as I finish the transition.  Please come back often!

You Are Close To My Heart

 As this final chapter with Close To My Heart closes, THANK YOU for being part of my community!

I made versions of this shaker card for my VIPs to let them know how much I have appreciated them and our time together while inviting them to the next leg of this journey (pun intended with the color of the year, Journey), and I wanted to share some virtual hugs here for you too!

Stay tuned for the next chapter, beginning May 1!

I’d Go Anywhere with You Card

Here’s a fun corner fold card using the let’s go anywhere collection! I used a combination of both the card and scrapbooking stamp sets with coordinating thin cuts.

I hope you’ll continue to follow me as I transition from Close To My Heart as they close their doors to Stampin’ Up!  I’m really excited about their commitment to expanding scrapbooking and the pieces of CTMH that they are bringing into their line of products.

Happy Birthday Hexagon Shaker Card

Today we are celebrating a special someone's 23rd birthday, and here is the card that I sent her so that she would have it for her actual birthday earlier this week.  (Blue is her favorite color!). I used the retired Let's Celebrate collection (including a few stickers) to create this shaker card.  (The shaker window is at the bottom right.) 

As you can see from the back side of the card front, I used lots of 3-D foam squares for the card panel and a small round circle of acetate for the hexagon cut.  I filled it with a variety of loose sequins from my collection.

If you look closely, you can see the sparkles I also added to the card front since it was being hand delivered rather than mailed.

I will definitely be making this card design again!  I hope you enjoy this celebratory card too!

The Santa Justa Lift Layout

At my April scrapbooking class, we created this layout based on a Make It From Your Heart sketch using the Let's Go Anywhere collection.

I love how this layout uses a variety of photo sizes, and I taught some ways to get creative with photo collage apps to make two 3"x4" photos on one 4"x6" print.

Happy Birthday Card with the February Stamp of the Month Set

This card was so fun to make for a dear, sweet friend’s birthday!  She loves violets, so I knew that I wanted to use the February 2024 Close To My Heart stamp of the month, Say It with Flowers. I decided to use the retired postage frame Thin Cut and the retired Sweet Memories periwinkle pattern paper because blue is her favorite color.

After stamping flower bouquet in Jade ink onto the Periwinkle patterned paper and coloring the leaves with colored pencils, I grabbed my Blue Belle, Green Apple, and gold shimmer brushes to splatter the front of the card.

I stamped the floral image with Harbor ink on White Daisy card stock, and then used a blending brush to add color with periwinkle and a bit of harbor. After fussy cutting the flowers and adhering them, I added some detail and dimension with a white gel pen. Can you see how I use 3-D foam tape for the two larger flowers?  A pair of  Honey Butter enamel dots finished off this card. 

I stamped at the birthday sentiment in Harbor ink also. 

Thank you for letting me share this birthday card with you!

Welcome to the World Card

Here's a sweet baby card that I taught at my recent card class using the Let's Go Anywhere cardmaking stamp set and Thin Cuts paired with the Honey Bunny collection.

We used the light side of Seabrook for our heart die cut and stamped the coordinating world heart stamp in Sage ink.

This card design was copied from the card on p. 22 of the March/April CTMH Idea Book.  I love how much inspiration these catalogs provide!

Let’s Go Anywhere Aqueduct Layout

Here is my final layout of our stay in Evora.   Thanks for letting me share this part of our trip with you!  Seeing the Roman aqueduct and following it into town (as it seemed to get lower and lower) was a really neat experience.  I continue to marvel at how old structures in Europe can be and how young our country is by comparison.

Once again, I let my photos drive my design.  I was really happy to be able to add the picture of the wall with the pretty bougainvillea onto this page (even though it was across from the Cathedral).  

Let your pictures guide your design and you tell your stories!  As always, please let me know if I can assist you in any way.

{Layout 24/52}

Let’s Go Anywhere Church & Chapel Layouts

Hopefully you aren't sick of my travel layouts yet!  I've only got a few left to share of our time in quaint Evora.  We visited the Church of St. Francis. 

We actually visited the Chapel of the Bones first, but I’m adding this layout second because I like the flow better.  I really love how the neutrals work with my photos, so I kept the color pop of the passports to a minimum.  

Both of these layouts are a little plain, but I think it's important to highlight the photos, especially of sacred places and spaces.

{Layouts 22 & 23/52}

Twisted Ribbon Technique Card (Times Two)

The twisted ribbon technique creates a pretty card!  It's not hard at all to make but is a little time consuming.  You need over 12" each of two different 0.5" strips.   For both cards, I used the April stamp of the month, Little Hedgehogs, and the Honey Butter collection.

On both card bases, I used a blending brush to add Sage "grass" and Glacier "sky."  I colored both hedgehogs with varying shades of grey markers.  I think my first card is pretty in pink with two of the zip strips from the paper suite, the cute littlest hedgehog, and the pink flower.

The second card uses the Glacier butterflies and Honey Butter polka dots, the medium hedgehog, and a "daisy."

Which card do you prefer?

Let's Go Anywhere Workshop Layout 3: Évora

Don’t worry if your photos need to be different sizes than the suggested photos in a sketch or kit. I used five 4 x 4 photos instead of the recommended 3 x 3, and I think my layout is lovely.

Don’t forget my team’s motto, “ A mistake is an opportunity to embellish!” Don’t look too closely to find my stamping mistakes!  Your layouts don't have to be perfect to be worthy!

{Layout 21/52; halfway to my yearly goal!}

Fractured Card

This card design is all the rage so I couldn't resist making a fractured card at my recent, final Close To My Heart card class. 

I used the Honey Bunny collection with the April stamp of the month, Little Hedgehogs, minus any hedgehogs, to say hello.

Although it doesn't show well, after coloring the flower with pink and yellow markers, I added highlights with Flamingo and Honey Butter shimmer brush.

Let’s Go Anywhere: Évora Cathedral Layouts

Because I took and printed way too many photos, I narrowed them down to create three layouts of the beautiful cathedral. These all use the same paper suite, Let's Go Anywhere, and my own layout designs.  I used a retired set of thin cut arrows to help add some embellishments that coordinate throughout the layouts.   (I am planning to go back and add a few embellishments now that I found the coordinating die cuts in my stash.)

To unify these pages together, I used the light side of Shortbread card stock as my page bases.

I use more of the green city map print to highlight the cloister  garden.

For the interior photos, I decided to stencil a brick pattern with Toffee and Espresso ink to help mimic the inside of the cathedral.

The heart is from the Let’s Go Anywhere cardmaking stamp set and coordinating thin cuts.  (When I last checked, these are still available.)

{Layout 18-20/52}

Let's Go Anywhere Workshop Layout 2: Évora

After we visited the temple, we stumbled upon the gorgeous public library.

I love how the busy patterned paper complements the whimsy of the children’s section of the library.

This layout is the second featured in the now unavailable Let’s Go Anywhere scrapbooking workshop kit.  (Spoiler! Stampin' Up will start carrying some of our workshop kits in the near future!)

{Layout 17/52}

Let’s Go Anywhere Workshop Layout 1: Évora

When I saw the Let’s Go Anywhere collection, I knew I wanted at least one of almost everything because it’s perfect for my photos from my trip to Portugal a few years ago that haven’t yet been scrapbooked. (Hopefully you won’t get tired of this collection!)

Unfortunately, the scrapbooking workshop is no longer available, but I wanted to share my layouts with you anyway, because (in my opinion) they are so beautiful.  Almost everything else is still available, so be sure to check out this collection before the end of the month.

I used my alphabet Thin Cuts to add the towns name. I also added some extra photos with a 3 x 4 flip-flap that I had in my stash.  (I am super excited to announce that Stampin' Up! will be starting to carry flip-flaps at some point in the future!)

The arrows on the bottom right are pointing to my dad! That gives a lot of perspective on the size of the temple.

{Layout 16/52}

Laugh Together Layout

One of the mamy benefits of participating in Stacy Julian's Live Your Story membership group is her emphasis on storytelling as memory keeping.  Now that the girls are older, it’s so much easier to tell stories over time, like this one.

I had originally planned to use three of these pictures with my birthday from 2021, since that’s when they were taken, but I remembered a moment in time that I scrapbooked of the girls absolutely cracking up at a restaurant.  It turns out that was way back in the fall of 2015.  Fast forward to this weekend: three of the four of us saw a sight we wish we hadn’t, but that absolutely cracked us up.  And, well, crack was part of the hilarity.  (I won't say anymore out of respect for delicate sensibilities!)  I decided that I needed to combine all of these pictures together to show how much fun we have together. 

On a more technical note, I used the current Honey Bunny collection, the April stamp of the month, Little Hedgehogs, and a sketch from the Creative Design Team's 12"x12" sketchbook.

Maybe I should print this blog post and tuck it behind the layout, because I really didn’t journal that much on it. Thoughts? I always appreciate feedback! Thanks so much for being part of my Inky Scrapper community!

{Layout 15/52}

Happy Easter 2024 Layout

Once again, I can’t believe that I was able to scrapbook an event within just days of it happening!  I used the adorable Honey Bunny collection and the Honey Bunny Scrapbooking stamp set and Thin Cuts.

To save time, I stamped the bunnies on Acorn card stock that I had already cut with the Thin Cuts. That meant that I had to do just a little shading to add a little dimension and white gel pen for some bunny tails and bellies.

I fussy cut the "happy" to make the beginning of the title.  I colored the stamped images with marker accents.

A little 3"x4" flip flap let me add photos to the page that didn't get sorted into the right stack (so they were found after the layout was made).  I am thrilled that Stampin' Up! has announced that they will be carrying flip flaps later in the year (as Close To My Heart closes and Stampin' Up! acquires product and intellectual properties).

Please let me know if I can help you with any stamping or scrapbooking needs!

{Layout 14/52}

Spring Rocking Card: Little Hedgehog Edition

Hopefully you aren’t sick of seeing the rocking cards yet!  Here is the April stamp of the month, Little Hedgehogs, edition with the Honey Bunny collection

I used my two gold yellow markers to color the various shades of the little hedgies. I just made a lot of little dashes instead of actually coloring in the images.

Rather than color the flower, I stamped it on the right side of a piece of Honey Butter card stock and then fussy cut it out.  I used the same gold yellow marker for the center, and then added Honey Butter shimmer brush accents.

Can you see how I added Black Diamonds Stickles to the hedgehogs' eyes and noses?  It gives a little fun dimension to their adorable faces.

If you love these cutie pies, be sure to grab your April stamp of the month, with or without Thin Cuts, on my website before the end of the month.

March Happy Birthday "Hue and Me" Layout

With this week being my spring break, I’m using some time off to get crafty.  I can’t believe that I was able to scrapbook my birthday within just a few days of it happening!  I decided to use the March Live Your Story "Hue and Me" color palette* since it went so well with my outfit.  (Please tell me you also buy clothes to match scrapbook paper and vice versa?)

From top to bottom, I used 1“ x 12“ strips of light Seabrook, Seabrook glitter paper, Glacier, light Jade, light Evergreen, and Evergreen glitter paper.  The balloons and sentiments are all from various retired birthday stamps in my stash.  (If you look closely at the balloons, I used coordinating shimmer brushes to color alternating stripes.) I’m really happy with how this layout turned out.  Don’t be afraid of using card stock and stamps instead of patterned paper. 

How did I do on using this color swatch?  

*Live Your Story is an amazing memory-keeping community hosted by Stacy Julian.  I really love being a part of this community in addition to my Close To My Heart community.  You can learn more HERE.  If you decide to join, tell Stacy that I sent you!  (No, I don't get any commission for recommending this group; it's just that wonderful!)

{Layout 13/52}

Updates (4/2/24)

 First and foremost, thank you so much for your support!  As announced last month, Close To My Heart is sadly closing its doors, and my 24-year tenure comes to an end at the end of the month.  While I am still grieving this closure, I am committed to remaining the Inky Scrapper and sharing my love of papercrafting with my community.

My final CTMH classes will be this Sunday, April 7, beginning at 4:00 with cards followed by a scrapbook layout class.  As always, attendees can pay a small materials fee ($8 per class) or have that fee waived with a minimum $35 order.  My website will be available for purchases through the end of April.  CTMH will officially close its doors at the end of June.

So what happens next?  

Stampin’ Up has made a very generous offer, so I am excited to announce that on May 1, I will be a Stampin’ Up demonstrator to continue my papercrafting journey.  I’m especially excited about Stampin' Up’s commitment to expanding their memory keeping line, including items purchased from Close To My Heart.  While I don’t have full details yet, I look forward to continuing my passion to teach card classes and scrapbook classes in the Northeast Georgia/TriState area.

I hope you’ll join me on the next chapter of this exciting adventure!  Stay tuned for more details as they unfold!  Thank you for your continued support!

A Little Hedgehog Hello

No foolin' it's April 1!  Say hello to the adorable April stamp of the month, Little Hedgehogs!  Hopefully you love these cute hedgehogs as much as I do!  This card came together very quickly thanks to the coordinating Thin Cuts with the April stamp of the month, the photo frame Thin Cut, and the Honey Bunny collection.

I used a very quick coloring technique on the hedgehog where I just made little dashes or scratches rather than trying to color in the entire image.  I also outlined some of the stamped images to add a little color and dimension.  Rather than color in the flower, I used my Honey Butter shimmer brush to color the center to make it a daisy.

Can you see the shimmer at this angle?  I also used Black Stickles to highlight the hedgehog's eyes and nose.  You can find everything I used on my Close To My Heart website, while supplies last, through the end of the month.

Happy Easter Slimline Card

 Wishing you and yours a blessed Easter!

I used both the Honey Bunny Scrapbooking stamp set and Thin Cuts and the March stamp of the month, Just Chicken In, and the Honey Bunny paper pack to create this slimeline card. 

After stamping the sentiment, I used blending brushes to add Sage and Glacier ink for a bit of grass and sky.

I loved not having to color very much of the bunny because I cut it out of Acorn card stock.  Can you see the Honey Butter shimmer brush I added to the daffodils?

Again, I wish you the very best on this most holy Christian holiday.

Happy Easter Daffodil Card

 Using a sketch with more than one stamp set to make different cards is so much fun!

It's hard to see, but I added Honey Butter shimmer brush to the flowers.

Wherever you are, whatever your faith, I hope that you have a blessed weekend!

Hoppin’ Down the Bunny Trail Card

Who doesn't love a fast & easy sketch?  It took me longer to color the cute bunny than anything else (and it was totally worth it)!

I hope you hop into a great weekend!

Spring Rocking Card: Bunny Edition

 Here's another rocking card like I shared yesterday, but this one uses the Honey Bunny Scrapbooking stamp set and Thin Cuts for the mama and baby bunnies.

I cut and stamped the mama bunny on Toffee cardstock and then added the pink Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend accents.  I stamped the baby on a White Daisy Thin Cut and then again on a Toffee piece that I fussy cut to layer on top of the white Bunny (hence the white bell and tail).  Black Diamond Stickles add a little dimension and sparkle to the bunnies' eyes.

I have decided to save this card for a baby shower rather than an Easter card, although it could really be used either way.

Spring Rocking Cards: Chick Edition

These adorable rocking (half circle) cards are the current rage, and I couldn't resist making a few myself (using the March stamp of the month, Just Chicken In)!

For the first one, I cut a 5.5" Cricut circle and then added half of a 5" Honey Bunny patterned paper circle.  (Next time, I would cut it at 4.75" to have a white border at the top too.)  I cut the chicks from the light side of Honey Butter, stamped the chicks in black, and then added orange colored pencil and a little Honey Butter shimmer brush for definition.  (Can you see the Seabrook shimmer trim "base" the chicks are standing on?)  I also added Black Diamond Stickles to each chick's eye for more definition.

My second card is similar to the first but takes it to the next level with a scalloped circle base and paper piecing for each of the four chicks.

Give these rocking cards a try!  They are really fun to stand up on your desk and give them a tap to let them rock back and forth.

Easter Chick Card

All week I am featuring projects I've made with the sweet Honey Bunny collection.  This card is no exception!  I used the March stamp of the month, Just Chicken In, stamp set and Thin Cuts to make this sweet spring card.

Can you see how I used a blending brush to add Glacier ink to the card base behind the patterned paper oval? 

I think this would make a lovely Easter card, but the nice thing is that I can add any sentiment that I'd like to finish off this sweet card.

 

Honey Bunny Happy Easter Layout

Honey Bunny has been so fun to create with this month!  Here is the layout I've made from our Easter 2022 photos (the only Easter I was missing).

I had fun using a pattern from Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 5, paired with the Honey Bunny paper pack, Scrapbooking stamp set & Thin Cuts, and the March stamp of the month, Just Chicken In.  I used a few Honey Bunny dots as embellishments also.

Currently the Honey Bunny paper pack, paper pack with sticker sheet, and coordinating cardstock are in stock (available).  My fingers are crossed that we will receive more shipments of the rest of the Honey Bunny collection, so keep stalking your email and the CTMH Official Facebook page!

{Layouts 12/52}

March Stamp of the Month Just Chicken In Cards

The March stamp of the month, Just Chicken In (with and without Thin Cuts) is absolutely adorable!  Here are two cards I’ve made with it:  

For the first card, I used Sage pattern paper from the recently retired Sweet Memories collection. I love the dimension of the chick Thin Cuts layered in the circle cut out.

Although it doesn’t show well in the picture, I used my Honey Butter shimmer brush to add some depth and sparkle to the little chicks.

To save time on the second card, I die cut the chicks from the light side of Honey Butter cardstock so that I only had to color the beak and feet with colored pencil.  (I added Honey Butter shimmer brush accents too).   

I used the retired postage frames Thin Cuts for the frame.  I also used the cloud background Thin Cuts as a stencil with a blending brush and Glacier ink to make the sky. I use the same blending brush technique to create the Sage ground.  Finally, I added a little Black Diamond Stickles to each chicks' eye for added dimension.

Be sure to grab your March stamp of the month to send some love to all the chicks you need to check on!