Wedding Layouts to Love - Part 1

Background paper: Me and My Big Ideas

I recently completed my wedding gift to my niece - a custom scrapbook album containing layouts of photos from her wedding.  Completed, it totaled 48 layouts and over 180 photos.  Her photographer, Joe Hang, was amazing and I was privileged to use his fabulous photos for this album.

I was able to present the album in person on a family trip to Wisconsin.  Jenny and her husband Matt were so excited to see the album and I was so excited and happy to give it to them.  Jenny only got through a couple of pages when she started crying.

They love it!  And that makes me super happy. Over the next few weeks I'll be sharing some of these wedding layouts.  Click on a photo to enlarge it Enjoy!

gold doilies: Crate Paper; Clear orange overlay: Teresa Collins

Cricut for Title, bird die-cut, and fancy border

Gold dot vellum: We R Memory Keepers

water color effect on edges; 3x4 cards: Project Life

Background dots paper: Echo Park Reflections

Gold Rub-on Border: Jenni Bowlin Studio

Background Paper: We R Memory Keepers (Harvest); Orange Glitter: Teresa Collins; Title cut with Cricut

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

Favorite Dad Layouts

In honor of Father's Day this weekend, I thought I would share some of my favorite layouts created over the last year or so of my daughter and the world's greatest husband and dad.  I love taking photos of these two together and then creating a layout of their special relationship.  I really wish I had more photos of my dad and me together.  I miss that man more than words can say.  I hope you enjoy these layouts and may your hearts be filled this weekend of precious memories of you and your dads, the dad-like influences in your life, and the perfect and ever-present love of our heavenly dad.

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!

Spring Birthday Card

SRM is hosting a brand new challenge blog, HERE.  The first challenge is anything that CELEBRATES!  I have a few birthday cards that need to go out this month, so it was easy to play along - especially when SRM makes the perfect clear stickers for cards!  I also had fun digging into some of my new Inked Rose collection from We R Memory Keepers - perfectly spring-y.

I know Susan at SRM loves doilies (and so do I), so I used a small doilie on this card.  The butterfly is from the We R Inked Rose coordinating stickers.  The twine is American Crafts and the sentiment is, of course, SRM.  (It's from the Thinking of You Sticker Sentiment sheet.)

Make sure you check out SRM's blog for more great inspiration!

Autumn Layouts with We R's Harvest Collection

Oh, how I love the fall!  I love the tastes, the smells, the cooler temperatures, the beautiful colors!  It's my favorite season by far.  We R Memory Keeper's new "Harvest" collection is perfect for highlighting your fall photos and projects.  I love the warm yellow mixed with steely blue and orange and black.  This collection also has some great patterns - weathered wood, chevrons, and more - a little bit "old" and a little bit "modern."  I've created two layouts to share with some Harvest papers and embellishments picked up at Scrapdoodles.  Come back on Friday for a third layout and a challenge for you!

For my first layout, I began with the awesome orange chevron paper. I love how this paper is lighter at the top and gradually gets to a darker orange/brown at the bottom - a great ombre effect that really adds interest to the layout.  The large 4x6 card is from the Harvest Albums Made Easy collection (must get this!!!).  I embellished the bottom title strip (cut from one of the 12x12 sheets) with a border and simple twine threaded through.  Notice how I notched the ends?  This adds interest and keeps my twine exactly where I want it.  The "who, when, where" journaling bits are from another strip from that same 12x12 sheet.  I added a few embossed stickers to complete this layout.

For my second layout I chose the weathered wood sheet for my background and was inspired by the circle die cut card (the weathered blue towards the lower left) to cut a similar circle pattern out of the coordinating golden yellow cardstock.  I used my Cricut for this, but I know the Silhouette also has a similar pattern.  I ended up sewing some zigzag stitches with my sewing machine down the right of the page.  In total, I used 4 cards from the Albums Made Easy Harvest set.  Even if you are not a Project Life-r, these cards look great on regular 12x12 layouts - perfect for layering and using as journaling boxes.  Add a few of those awesome embossed stickers and this layout is "pure bliss."  If you like fall colors as much as I do, you'll want to grab some of this awesome Harvest collection by We R Memory Keepers soon.

As I mentioned, I did create a 3rd layout, but I'm saving it for Friday.  Do you like layout sketches?  Come back on Friday for a Scrapdoodles Layout Sketch Challenge!  You'll have about 2 weeks to play along and there will be a prize (randomly selected from all participants).  I hope you'll join in the fun!

We R Memory Keepers Guest Post ~ Fun with Storytime Collection

It's such a thrill for me to be a guest designer over at the We R Memory Keepers blog.  If you are visiting me from over there - Thank You and Welcome! This trio of cards is featured on the blog today and you can find my instructions there as well to recreate your very own set with this adorable collection of papers and embellishments.

I also created a layout and door hanger with the goodies that We R so generously sent me.  You can see the whole collection here.  If you're local, be sure to stop in at Scrapdoodles in Fredericksburg, because I know they have this collection in stock.

When I first saw the collection, I immediately thought of library trips and reading stories with my young daughter.  We love to read together and while not everything we read is a "fairytale", this paper just speaks to the special kind of imagination that is discovered only through reading books.  When I started going through my photos I found these two sweet pics of our girl "reading" (she's 3 here and not yet reading on her own) Peter Rabbit to her stuffed Peter Rabbit toy.  I just love the little story characters featured on the paper, and couldn't help fussy cutting around the wolf so that he could hang a paw over the storytime die cut title.

Lastly, I created a cute wall or door hanger.  I started with a chipboard star covered in the orange patterned paper from the collection and one of the large die cuts attached to the back.  A ribbon hanging down features some of the little storybooks cut from the paper and another die cut at the bottom.  On the star I folded a strip of paper to mimic a ribbon and adhered the die cut letters.  Now it's all ready to hang up whenever we need a little storytime break!

Birthday and Anniversary Cards

July is a busy month for our family.  We have several birthdays and anniversaries to note, so that means cards to give or send out.  Here's a few of the cards I made for this month.

DCWV's Vintage Collector Stack, SRM Sticker, We R Washi, American Crafts Twine

DCWV's sunday Afternoon Stack, SRM Sticker, American Crafts Twine

DCWV's sunday Afternoon Stack, Airplane cut from Cricut B is for Boy cartridge

Lillibee Design paper, My Mind's Eye tickets, SRM stickers, American Crafts twine

DCWV Vintage Collector Stack, silhouette cut from Cricut Sweetheart Cartridge

Scrapdoodles Design Team Wednesday

In hindsight, maybe scheduling my Design Team post for Scrapdoodles immediately after moving into a new home over the weekend (following a week of "homelessness") wasn't such a great idea...  But then again, when great papers are calling my name and inspire a great layout or two, working on top of stacked boxes isn't such a hurdle.  This week I was able to get a little crafting done despite our crazy "just moved in" life at the moment.  We R Memory Keepers' new perfect-for-summer line, "Country Livin'" inspired my first layout.  As soon as I saw the "Top Notch Beef" ad on the "Town Paper" patterned sheet, I new I would create a layout featuring my favorite young man showing his beef in last year's show and sale.  The ribbon paper was the perfect complement.  We R also makes it easy to coordinate with solid cardstock by providing their own perfectly matching selections. I love how these muted tones work together.  The line makes me think of old fashioned summer picnics, parades, and activities.  I just added a bit of twine (Lawn Fawn) and bordered my 12x12 with Washi tape.  Scrapdoodles carries lots of coordinating items including We R's layered chipboard stickers and embossed stickers and die cuts.  Easy layouts for your easy-going summer memories!

Another summery line I found at Scrapdoodles is new from Elle's Studio.  This is actually the boy line, "Cameron," but the bright colors can be used for any theme, including favorite little girls.  For this layout, I started with this great, already embellished down the side 12x12 sheet.  I used my die cut machine to cut the title directly onto the sheet and layered a couple coordinating patterned papers in the back.  I added my photo, other tags and bits from the line, a bit of ink splotches and doodling, and some brads and washi from my stash.  I love how it turned out.

Lastly for you today I put together a couple of simple cards using more pieces from these two lines.  Enjoy!  I hope you get some craft time this week.  I need to get some more boxes unpacked ;)  ~Karen

Scrapdoodles Design Team - Spring Layout with We R Memory Keepers

 

Ahh!  It's the first day of Spring and time to be inspired to scrap those spring photos.  It won't be hard to get in the spirit of the season with this collection from We R Memory Keepers.  Their collection "Simply Spring" boasts a sophisticated color combination of blues, yellows, greens, coral and grey.  I chose this butterfly paper for the background of my layout.  I cut a few butterflies out and then added them back in for a bit of dimension and glossed them up a bit with Diamond Glaze.  I added a few strips of more coordinating papers in the collection to anchor the side and my little file folder which opens up to another photo and some hidden journaling (see the inside photo above).  The front of the folder is wrapped in We R twine and decorated with a die cut shape from the collection and a couple of strips of washi tape.  I used a bit more washi inside on the journaling tag I made to write a sweet little note to our girl.

Now, go take photos of adorable kiddos picking dandelions or daffodils, stop at Scrapdoodles (or your local scrapbook store) on your way home for this sweet We R paper, and hurry home to scrap this spring moment!

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