Foxy Card

I recently purchased some fun new products from Teresa Collins and got them out for a quick and cute foxy card.  There is actually a mix of products from TC here, including some papers from Something Wonderful, You are My Happy, and a few new things from Nine & Co.  The wood leaf cut, vellum sentiment, and the cute fox are all part of this new collection.  I haven't used rub-ons in awhile and was really pleased with how easily and smoothly these went on.  Hope you are able to create something happy today! 

More Wedding Layouts to Love...

Here's one more batch of photos (I apologize, they are really bad photos taken on a sunny afternoon) of more wedding layouts I completed for my sweet niece and her cute hubby.  You can see more layouts from this custom wedding album HERE and HERE.  Click on a photo to enlarge it.  Enjoy!

Such a gorgeous group of women!

Love these fun and silly "super shots"

I kinda think every good party or event should have a photo booth.

Isn't this end-of-the-day shot gorgeous? The white overlay is from Teresa Collins.

The beautiful photos are all taken by Joe Hang from Joe Hang Photography in Wisconsin.

Monogram on Canvas

I just finished this large canvas monogram for our family room.  The canvas is a 12x16.  The striped background is from a Teresa Collins collection and I added the monogram cut from my Cricut Explore (Gypsy Font).  Everything is simply mod-podged on.  I love how it turned out.  We just finished painting our family room walls this rich green color (after gutting the entire room and re-hanging drywall where painted paneling had been).  It's going to look great in our completed room and I can hardly wait!

I linked up with other amazing creative inspiration here: 

Teresa Collins and We R Memory Keepers - Albums Made Easy Layouts

Two of my favorite companies recently came together to bring us some very exciting new products.  Teresa Collins Designs and We R Memory Keepers partnered to create several beautiful Albums Made Easy card collections.  I've been incorporating pocket pages into my regular 12x12 albums for awhile now.  As more of a simple scrapper, I appreciate how easy and fast it makes pages come together, but I love the beauty of these card collections and how, if I'm in the mood, I can easily dress them up in any number of ways and still maintain that linear feel that I like.  Each pocket can house a photo, a card, journaling, or any combination of elements, the only limit is our imagination.  Today I'm sharing a few of my most recently completed pages using the TC designed cards for the Albums Made Easy system.

This is one of my favorites. The photos aren't my best - they are from my iphone, but they are precious to us.  These are some of the last photos taken of my daughter and her Umpy Lumpy.  I really wanted these sweet photos to be the emphasis of the page and also have enough room to journal our thoughts and memories.  The "Hello Life" collection perfectly sets the background and quietly complements the photos.  I also brought in some We R sheer metallic gold heart paper and basic brown/gold cardstock in the mini hearts (die cut with my Cricut and TC Sophisticated cartridge) - one on each photo and a few others scattered around.

This clear 3x4 card is one of my favorites, too.  I chose to use it alone, but the white lettering looks awesome against a darker background or photo.

I utilized two 3x4 boxes for the journaling, uniting them with the sheer heart paper.  I trimmed opposite ends of two identical 3x4 cards to elongate them across the sections and give me more space for journaling.  The stamps used in this layout are from Teresa Collins as well (Stationary Noted set).

This next layout is a fun and silly one, but it also relays an important message for my daughter - "Never apologize for being who you are."   These silly photos and the large quote card and clear "Don't Be Afraid to Sparkle" cards are perfect for this layout.  I love, love, love working with products that are not only beautiful, but inspire me to create layouts that are meaningful and help to drive my journaling.

I used elements from the new "Quoted" and "Hello Life" AME collections as well as pulled in papers, stickers, and enamel dots from TC's "Hello My Name Is" paper collection. 

I couldn't be more delighted with how my daughter's eyes are perfectly peeking through this clear 4x6 card! Of course I had to add a little sparkle on top of the card - how can you spell sparkle without actual sparkle???

The rich colors in the "Quoted" AME collection really lent themselves well to this next layout featuring fall photos of our new puppy, Zoe.  I cut apart and layered some of the elements from the cards (cute camera!) to create the top row title which I carried across into the next photo pocket.  Here I layered some TC tiny alpha stickers directly on top of my photo and added a heart fussy cut from another of the cards.

In the middle row, I found some coordinating We R cardstock and created a die cut title using the TC Sophisticated fancy framed font.  Using Cricut Craft Room, I stretched and resized the letters a bit so that they would use up the entire 3x4 pocket.  I love how they look paired with the acetate cards behind them.

On the bottom row, I added a card for journaling, an appropriate quote card, and some more fun pattern to a photo, tying it together with a bit of washi across the bottom.

This last layout is another favorite.  The cards in the "Snapshots" collection are just perfect with these beach photos from last summer.  I'm a big fan of kraft and love the mint green against it.  The clear 4x6 card with the subtle white circles was perfect for my title card.  I cut out letters from an actual photo (font is TC Sophisticated) as well as added real sand to the bottom.  For this layout I used lots of stickers from the coordinating "Snapshots" page kit and lots of sequins.

I was able to use a lot of photos in this layout and paired them with several cards.  I really felt like each pocket was a little work of art :) and it makes me happy to relive our fun time at the beach.

Because this layout has several different techniques and elements, I made a video to look at it a little closer and maybe you'll be inspired to try a few new things, too!



Thanks for sticking with me to the end of this post. I hope you find some time to create a layout or two and record your important, everyday love stories!  Blessings, Karen

The Meaning in Scrapbooking - Not Just a Hobby

If you are not convinced that scrapbooking is so much more than a hobby, watch this video presentation by Teresa Collins.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her message about how important, worthwhile, and meaningful it is to take photos, print your photos, put them in an album with some journaling to tell the story, all the while making it pretty, easy, and memorable.


I just got so excited to watch this video because everything she says is how I feel about scrapbooking - record the meaningful moments of life - everything - the good, the bad, & the ugly!!!  Thanks to Teresa Collins for sharing this message today!

Love This Girl (and these papers) Layout

I so excited to be able to play with more new Teresa Collins collections papers today.  Her "Save the Date" collection is awesome for wedding and engagement, but is not limited to that theme at all.  The addition of the black to the soft colors make it a great pick for boys or girls and lots of different occasions.  These papers also have a thick and wonderful new texture to them.  I was drawn immediately to the bold black striped sheet in the collection and had the perfect photo in mind.  The soft pale pinks and greens really soften the starkness of the bold stripe and the black and white photo.  I think they are perfectly "married" (chuckle chuckle).  I took this photo of my daughter this winter, played with it a bit in Photoshop, and was excited to get it into a scrapbook layout.  Most of the elements like the tags, stickers, and enamel dots are from the Save The Date collection.  I fussy cut the rose bunches from another 12x12 sheet in the collection.  While at Scrapdoodles, I also picked up the gold chipboard starts (Studio Calico) and added them to the layout.

The black and white twine is from my stash - made by Doodlbug Designs.  I love the movement in gives to the bottom of the page while still anchoring the overlapping tags.

Look closely at the photo and you'll notice one of Teresa Collins new photo overlays.  I love how this adds yet another element to look at on your layout and this one was perfect over my photo, especially as it repeats the star element.

If you haven't seen it yet, come in to find your own stash of this new collection - it's not just for weddings!

Two-Page Layout "This is Me"

I just brought home some new Teresa Collins and it was taunting me on my craft table - "Use me! Use me!"  So I did.  :)  "Hello My Name Is" is a great color palette for any occasion and I really love the sentiments in this collection - it's all about being yourself and living your life fully and in a way that's uniquely you.  I think these photos of my daughter dressing up fits the theme perfectly.  She really is awesome!!!

I don't post a lot of Two-Page layouts - they are more difficult to photograph, but I do complete a lot of them.  Sometimes you just can't fit all those funny/amazing/can't part with photos onto a single page!

Love These Layouts!

It's February and love is in the air...and on my craft table! Today I want to share two recent layouts that I really love.
First up: "Me & You."  Even thought this photo of my husband and me is out of focus, I love the candid nature of it and that we are both smiling and looking happy.  Sometimes those imperfect photos make great layouts! This one uses some of the new Fancy Pants "Be Loved" collection.  I really was drawn to the water color feel and soft palette.  So many little elements are available with this collection, too.  I altered my background sheet by drawing a large heart, sewing the outline with pink American Crafts twine, and then adding some paint and pink chalk to the inside.  I also added twine in other places - the tags and several cross stitches on the left side.  The "me & you" sentiment was cut with my Cricut - Graphically Speaking is an old cartridge, but still one of my faves.  The pink glitter border strip is from Teresa Collins.

I picked up some new My Minds Eye yesterday at Scrapdoodles and had a little fun.  I also recently added a couple of new cartridges to my collection, so wanted to use them right away, too.  The beautiful background sheet is from MME's Now & Then, "Dorothy" collection.  The heart doily (LOVE) was cut with my new Edge to Edge Cricut cartridge.  The title is also from a new cart - Small Talk Frames and Tags.  The rest of the elements are MME.  I'm really loving the phrases and mini letters available with this collection.

Thanks for visiting! I hope you have a LOVE-ly day!

Happy Halloween Wreath

I just had to pick up this cute paper by Bella Blvd.  I mean, LOOK at those OWLS!  They make me smile. And so does this little paper wreath I made with Bella Blvd. papers.  Start with a flat cardboard form (I used a cake round) and cut out the middle so you have a flat ring.  I cut 3-4 inch strips of varying widths from all the cute patterned papers and arranged them around the wreath, overlapping and adding until every spot was filled in. Notch the outer ends of each strip. Add a row of black sequins to the middle (mine are from Teresa Collins).  Cut several 3 inch squares from the black star patterned paper and add these to the back of the cardboard form.  Adding them to the back of your form (so the cardboard is between the squares layer and the strips layer) helps give a little dimension to your wreath.  Position them with points out and overlap them to fill in space.

Finish your wreath with a few extra embellishments from the collection, especially the owls!!  Fussy cut some of those adorable owls and add them around your wreath with pop dots.  Cut the "Happy Halloween" strip and add that on a diagonal.  Fasten a ribbon hanger to the back and you've got the cutest wreath in town to hang on your door!

Wedding Album Layouts

I recently completed a wedding album for my oldest sister and her new husband.  I was able to bring it and give it to them in person when I returned to Wisconsin for a visit.  I love watching people look through their new albums - it totally gives me the warm fuzzies!  It's really something special to be able to use your gifts and bring happiness to others.

Here are a few of my favorite pages from the album.  I just love this first page - such a cute photo of the couple and the gold Teresa Collins paper is magical!  Throughout the album I used primarily Teresa Collins, Authentique, and DCWV papers and of course my Cricut.  Enjoy!

Design Team - 3 Layouts, 2 Collections, 1 Fun Rainy Day

While we are all eagerly awaiting the newly released lines after this last weekend's CHA Winter Show, I wanted to highlight two lines that you may have missed (and you don't want to miss these).  First up is a beautiful collection from Teresa Collins called "Now & Then" that came out last fall.  It's a fun mix of blues and pinks alongside wood veneer backgrounds and other classic Teresa Collins patterns. For my first layout I chose this floral design but wanted to tone it down a bit for my layout.  I created a heart mask first and then applied a layer of gesso which I spread directly onto the paper with a spatula (okay a credit card).  I love the texture that came out and the way the patterned paper comes through.  I used a pen to create stitching around the heart and page border.  The title was cut with my Cricut using Teresa Collins "Sophisticated" cartridge.  I layered a few more elements from the paper collection and a strip of brown polka dot Washi tape to bring it all together.  You'll want to try this masking technique yourself!  It's a great way to change the look of any patterned paper or tone one down and still keep the awesome design work.

This second layout uses a few more selections from the Now & Then collection.  I thought the blues went well with these snowy outdoor photos from last year and emphasized the snow by cutting snowflakes into the main sheet with my die cut machine.  Layering the darker patterned paper behind the white ledger paper  as well as using the die cut snowflakes on top creates lots of interest and dimension to this page. The title was again cut from Teresa Collins Sophisticated Cartridge.

Right now, Scrapdoodles has most of this collection in stock, including a beautiful coordinating button/brad collection and border strips.  Go check it out!

I have one more layout to share this week and it uses this beautiful sunny paper from Authentique.  This collection is relatively new and it's perfectly named "Renew" as there are many spring elements to this line.  You can check out the whole collection online here, or go see it in person at Scrapdoodles ;).  I've been meaning to scrap a page about Hannah with "sunshine" in the title (we sing "You Are My Sunshine" every night) and knew these papers would be perfect as soon as I saw them.  On this page I used some of the fun new "Puzzle Pieces" elements that coordinate with this line and I fussy-cut the swirls and flowers one of the sheets of patterned paper.  Scrapdoodles also has the 8x8 and 6x6 paper pads in which are perfect for all kinds of projects.  You'll love the colors in this versatile collection - the blues and yellows with the black highlights are really awesome and need to be seen in person.  It's become one of my favorites so I may have to stop by and pick up that 8x8 pack soon!  Happy Scrappin' everyone! ~Karen

Christmas Neighbor Gift Ideas and We R Memory Keepers

What a super exciting day when a box of goodies arrived on my doorstep from We R Memory Keepers!  They sent me a generous assortment of papers, chipboard, die cuts and even stamps from their lovely Christmas collection, "Yuletide."  I put together 3 different neighbor gift ideas to share - a recovered cd case (to gift favorite Christmas tunes), a simple tea or hot chocolate holder, and a sweet paper stocking for a few little goodies.

Clear CD cases are easy to find.  You can create a fun mix of holiday tunes (follow all copyright laws, please!) or share photos on a cd as your gift.  To decorate my cd case, I used a variety of papers from the 6x6 paper pad and a layered on a few of the coordinating die cut elements.  My deer is cut with my Cricut (Theresa Collins Demcember 25th cartridge).  I also added one of the chipboard sentiments to the outside of each case.

For my second gift idea, I filled small 3x5 baggies with loose tea and cut a strip of We R paper to 3 1/4 x12 inches and folded it over/around the bag.  I secured it all together using one of the fabric covered coordinating brads (these are really lovely!) and some decorative red/white twine.  I also hung a die cut that could double as a gift tag.  These would be easy to make several of and have on hand for "unexpected" guests and friends, or to give as favors at your holiday party.

For my final project, I cut a stocking pattern with my Cricut (Teresa Collins December 25th cartridge) and coordinating patterns from the Yuletide collection.  I cut two stockings, flipping one image, and then sewed up the sides using my sewing machine.  I added some trims and a stamp or two (CUTE gingerbread stamp from We R!) before filling it with a few sweet treats.  These could be made any size (mine are only about 6-7 inches long) depending on what kinds of treats you want to fill them with.  I think they would also be cute at any holiday table setting - maybe an adorable utensil holder for each place.

Thanks again to We R Memory Keepers for inviting me to be a guest designer and sending me such a generous assortment of products from your Yuletide collection!  And thanks to all of you for visiting me here on my humble little blog.  I hope you've been inspired.

Blessings,

Karen

Stashing Through the Snow...Ornament and Card

 

My niece loves mustaches and I had the joy of drawing her name for our family Christmas gift exchange.  I've been seeing these fun ornament ideas on Pinterest, so I knew I wanted to make her a cute mustache one.  It was super easy!  I started with a plain white porcelain ball (on sale, no less!).  I penciled out my mustache and then went over it with a black sharpie.  I added the phrase "stashing through the snow".  I messed up the first time and used a q-tip dipped in alcohol to wipe it off and start over again.  I also stuck it in my oven for about 20 minutes or so at 350 to make it more permanent.  As an afterthought (and after it was out of the oven and cooled), I added some fine glitter to the bottom of the mustache. 

I made a quick card with the same theme.  I cut the mustache (Cricut - Billionaire) and added a few sticker embellishments from Echo Park, a brad from Teresa Collins, and a twine ribbon.  And that

was it.  I hope your Christmas is merry and lots of fun!

Halloween Treats With Cricut

I was excited to be able to get the new Create a Critter 2 cartridge - I love these little critters all decked out for the holidays!  They are the perfect not-so-scary treat toppers for our Halloween dress up party at preschool.  I added a bit of glitter glue here and there to dress them up a bit.

I also picked up these cute notebooks at the Target dollar spot and topped them with more Critters.  The title phrases are also on this cartridge - can't wait to use them in our scrapbook pages!

Here is a shot of my worktable (before the cellophane wrapping on the notebooks).  Also shown are two cards I made with Teresa Collins' new Christmas cartridge.  I recieved both in the mail the same day and just couldn't wait to start working with them.  I have to say it's been awhile since I've been so excited for new Cricut carts :) and it felt great!  I can't wait to have some time to make the Christmas critters for another set of treat bags - they are so cute, too!

Happy Halloween, everyone!  Stay safe and get crafting!