Hooray for the red white and blue!

 Happy Memorial Day Weekend!  As you celebrate, please remember that some gave all.

I created this card using the Hello Darlin' collection.  The Sapphire and white stripes were made with cardstock strips adhered to the card base.  Each of the stars were cut with the Stitched Star Thin Cut and pieces of the Hello Darlin' collection.  Can you see the white faux stitching on the Periwinkle panel (created with a white gel pen)?  Embellishments include Hello Darlin' acrylic shapes, white enamel gems, and clear sparkles.

Take time this weekend to remember those who gave all to preserve our rights and freedoms! 

Change of Scenery, Layout #2

Since we love to hike, I knew that the Change of Scenery collection would be perfect for some of our photos.  This time, I'm scrapbooking our first hike of 2023, one of our favorites, to Raven Cliff Falls (the title was stamped with a retired alphabet set).

This layout uses all of the elements from the Change of Scenery collection: paper pack, stamp set, stickers, and die cut embellishments.  I think it worked so well to follow the workshop guide with my photos.

Remember, this collection is only available while supplies last!

Change of Scenery, Layout #1

When I saw the National Scrapbooking Day special, Change of Scenery, I knew that I wanted to use my pictures from our hike in the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest for one of the layouts.  (BTW, this kit is still available while supplies last only!)

Since I had so many photos from this fun hike, I decide to go off script and create two 6"x12" flip flaps to incorporate all my photos.  (I did add one piece of White Daisy and one piece of Toffee cardstock to the kit- plus the flip flaps- to create what I envisioned.)   Here is a close up of the left page opened up.

I forgot that I also used a scrap of White Daisy plus some of the leftover Pine cardstock for my journaling spot.

For both pages, I added leftover strips of torn "cloud" paper to the top to help mimic the feel of the layout.  On the right page, I knew that I wanted to include at least two pictures vertically to help give a feel for the incredible height of many of the trees in this forest.  I also added some scraps of patterned paper leftover from the workshop to add more interest to the finished page.

Paper tearing is a fun technique to add a rustic twist to your projects!  Please give it a try!

May Stamp of the Month: Welcome Little One

 This cute card pairs the May stamp of the month, Little Stinkers, with the beautiful Cosette collection for a gender-neutral baby card.

A little Hey Handsome black burlap patterned paper was also used for the main image, which was colored with Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Markers, and a few gold embellishment finished off the sentiment.

Since I currently don't know anyone expecting, this card will go into my stash until it can be given away.

Go. See. Do.

 Here's another fun travel layout from the February Album Retreat that incorporates lots of photos!  

We stopped in the town of Merida, Spain, to explore the Roman arena and amphitheater.  On the left page, I added two 4"x6" photos with a flip-flap.

The right page has an entire flip-flap "mini album" added to the layout!

This mini album allowed me to use 7 photos on the page.

Make sure to always include journaling on your layouts!

Graduation Card#2

Here’s a second card that I made to celebrate another University of Georgia grad, our younger daughter’s BFF!

Like yesterday‘s post, I used the cool acetate technique (and actually leftovers from that card) to make the border band with Hello Darlin' and Hey Handsome paper and zip strips plus black and Candy Apple shimmer trim.  I like the "tiles" on the black cardstock.

I had fun adding a white acrylic star to the shaker window along with silver mini star sequins, clear gems, and sequins to the shaker window.

I used two retired stamp sets for the two images, but of course we have some fabulous current graduation sets if you need them.  

Best wishes to all of the recent graduates!

Graduation Card #1

Our older daughter is graduating today with her masters degree from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), so I had lots of fun making this red and black card for her using the cool acetate technique (which is of course much prettier in person).

I used a combination of Hello Darlin’ paper and zip strips, Hey Handsome paper and zip strips, and black and candy apple shimmer trim on acetate to make the mosaic tile background.  Unfortunately, the shine from the acetate does not photograph well, so this card sparkles even more in real life!

Though I used a retired graduation stamp set, I think it works really well on the shaker window.  I filled the shaker window with silver mini star confetti, clear loose gems, and sequins, plus a red acrylic heart (❤️).  Can you see how I added a black dot to the mortar board and a bitty sparkle to the diploma?

Here’s another look at this fun card. I hope our daughter loves it as much as I love making it for her!

I’m Here for You Card

 The colors and florals of the Cosette collection are so pretty!

Did you know that you can make your own customized shimmer brush colors?  We learned how last month at my card class.  If you don't already have a CTMH Maker, consider becoming one of my VIPs to learn more each month.

Sending Happy Thoughts Card

Happy Monday!  This card was made with the Cosette paper pack, Cosette Cardmaking stamp set, and Cosette die cuts, stamped in Black and colored with TriBlend markers.

Sending YOU happy thoughts!

This Makes Me Happy Layout

This is one of my favorite layouts from album retreat! (Have I said that about all of them?) It's probably because it documents one of our absolute favorite meals on our Europe '22 adventure!  (We were in the town of Porto, Portugal.)  It's also because I love the simplicity yet elegance of the sketch.

We created pockets with the strips of Glacier polka dot paper where I added journaling tags.  I also sponged Sage ink (or maybe it was Glacier?) behind the Irresistible letter stickers (which were sponged with the opposite color).  Do you see the pretty Evergreen scalloped border?  Those are 1" Thin Cut circles cut in half!

Now if this layout looks familiar, it's because I recreated it (but mirrored the design) for our Easter 2023 layout that I created in my April scrapbooking class.  In the comments, please tell me what you like best about this layout, because I have lots of favorites!

 

May Stamp of the Month, Little Stinker, Card #2

When I saw the current Sunday Stamps Sketch Challenge SSC308 In the Middle, I knew I wanted to use my new May stamp of the month, Little Stinkers.  Here's my take on their sketch. 

Withe the help of Coolors.co, I selected a fun color palette of Paprika, Nectarine, Flamingo, Honey Butter, Lagoon, and Harbour, paired with a pretty piece of textured patterned paper from the Hey, Handsome collection.  I began by random stamping the mushrooms on the white base using all of the colors.  Then, I stamped the cute skunk on a Thin Cut White Daisy circle to go inside the Lagoon scalloped circle Thin Cut.  I scissor distressed the tweed patterned paper, stamped the sentiment on a strip of Nectarine cardstock, and fussy cut the mushrooms after stamping in Honey Butter.  A little pink acrylic heart finished off the card.

What do you think of my take on the SSC308 sketch?  Please leave a comment before you leave!  (You can learn more about Close To My Heart and the May stamp of the month, Little Stinkers, HERE if you're interested.) Thanks for stopping by!

May’s Stamp of the Month, Little Stinkers, Card #1

Happy May Day!  Of course Close To My Heart has yet another adorable stamp of the month, Little Stinkers, for May!  This set of 17 stamps features 5 cute skunks, 5 cute sayings, and lots of accent stamps.

My first card uses the Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge 604 sketch.  I searched for a color combo at Coolors.co that would compliment the new Hey Handsome collection (Paprika was my main color).  I used Paprika, Nectarine, Honey Butter, Lagoon, Black, and White Daisy cardstock, plus Citrus and Magenta TriBlend markers (with a touch of clear shimmer brush on the flowers- much prettier in real life!).  I used two heart acrylic shapes and a little faux stitching to finish off this quick & easy card.  

I decided not to include a sentiment on the inside until I decide who will be getting the card.  I think it's still pretty stinkin' cute, if I do say so myself!  Maybe you will be inspired to create a similar card or to use TSOT 604 yourself.  Please leave a comment before you go.  Learn more about the May stamp of the month, Little Stinkers, HERE!