Ali Edwards Story Kit: Documenting Our Home

In the summer of 2016, we were hoping to make a big move to Kentucky. However, for some reason that just wasn't in God's plan, so we ended up staying in Texas. We had spruced up our  home to get it ready to lease out, which included professional photos. So to make lemonade out of lemons, I have a really lovely documentation of how our house looked that summer, and I decided to record it in a pocket page using the Ali Edwards Home Story Kit.  

This kit included the perfect colors for documenting our home, and I used the "home is" add-on labels to record what home is, from the perspective of each room that I documented. 

Recording "the story of" my daughter's playroom on the 3" x 4" card was important, as when she became old enough to have enough toys, we decided to forgo a formal dining room to make it her playroom—one of the best decisions we have made in this house! I wanted to get that down in writing.

Even two years later, our bedroom looks completely different now, with new furniture, color on the walls and new bedding. I'm happy to have what it looked like before recorded, and it will be interesting to re-create all of these images again to compare them to our home in 2016.

The backside of the layout includes my daughter's room and my creative space—my two favorite places in the house! The teal in the kit worked perfectly with all of the teal in my photos.

This "five senses of home" card was really special to me. I sat down and closed my eyes to think about what home looked, smelled, tasted and sounded like. It makes me happy to have these down on paper.

We as a family like to embrace the "less is more" attitude, so it was important for me to add that home is a space that we fill with things that mean something to us, like the Monaco Grand Prix print on the wall in the background of this photo. 

I loved creating with the Home Story Kit, and after creating three projects with it as a guest storyteller, I still have plenty of product to record more memories. I'm so happy to have these photos recorded, as I know that the images and details of each home we've lived in slip away after a few years. 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Happy creating this weekend!

Elle's Studio Let's Go Traveler's Notebook Kit!

I am so excited to introduce you to the Let's Go traveler's notebook kit*—one that Elle and I collaborated on when we were together earlier in the year. We loved creating this fun travel-themed kit, and I know you will love creating with it, just like I did! (*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!)

Getting the physical kit in my hands was such an awesome moment for me, and creating with it was even more special! I decided to document a trip that we took to Seattle last fall, in my new gold dot Webster's Pages traveler's notebook, which is so gorgeous! I love that teal interior!

I kept the title page on the front of my insert quite simple, adding a 3" x 4" photo of my family and my favorite "location" stamp included in the kit, which I stamped with the Stanley Jr. solid and outline stamps.

On the first page, I added another 3" x 4" photo with typed journaling above to the "oh the places we go" paper. I love that all of the colors in the kit are on this fun page. I also used the Adventure puffy stickers in my notebook—they work perfectly with the Let's Go kit! 

This spread uses the same piece of paper, halved between the two pages. I love those tags included in the kit—they're perfect for adding journaling to my notebook!

Want to see how these pages came together? Watch my process video, which includes an unboxing of the kit itself! 

Be sure to grab the Let's Go traveler's notebook kit while supplies last! It's perfect for documenting adventures big and small! 

Elle's Studio May 2018 Kit + Amazing Add-Ons!

Hooray for a fresh, new month and a new Elle's Studio kit to go along with it! Take a look at my unboxing video to take a firsthand look at all of the new goodies released in the Elle's Studio shop* today! 

(*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!)

Check out all of the beautiful colors included in this May 2018 kit! I especially love the yellow and greens added this month! The 4" x 6" tags are my favorite, and I've used all of them on the projects that I'm sharing here on the blog this week!

In addition to the kit, there are some fabulous new add-ons this month—ones that will make your projects: whether layouts, pocket pages or traveler's notebooks, truly shine!

In addition to the add-ons, be sure to add the new Hello Good Times printables and May digital cut files to your library!

I started out with the kit by creating a new 8-1/2" x 11" layout with a big, favorite photo, and a BIG title! I couldn't love it more:

Check out how this page came together in a quick process video! Grab a cuppa and take a look:

I have another project to share in a few hours—one that's a first for me: a traveler's notebook with the new Let's Go traveler's notebook kit! Until then, check out the products that I used in this video by shopping the gallery below: 

A Custom Background Using AC Kelly Creates Products!

Hello there! I recently shared a new layout on the American Crafts blog that I just LOVE, using the Kelly Creates products*, and I wanted to share it here too, to show you how easy it was to create a custom hand-lettered background for my 8-1/2" x 11" layout. 

(*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!)

Supplies | Kelly Creates collection: Dream pens, 8-1/2” x 11” dotted paper pad, acrylic traceable stamps, journal accessory kit; All The Good Things collection: Mixed media foundations paper, Color Pop acrylic paint- set 2, Color Pop acrylic paint- set 3, On a Positive Note paper, chipboard letter stickers, diecut frames, finishing embellishments; Sunshine and Good Times collection: Shoe In paper, sticker book; Star Gazer collection: accent and phrase stickers; Other: Vicki Boutin sticker book, Amy Tangerine sticker book, Bazzill Basics 8-1/2" x 11" white vellum

You may look at this beautiful background, and think, "There is no way that I could create that," but let me show you how simple it is to re-create for even the biggest perfectionist! Ahem, that would be me. 

I began by stamping words that fit the beautiful photo of my daughter, using the acrylic traceable stamps onto a sheet from the 8-1/2” x 11” dotted paper pad.  These dots allowed me to keep my stamped words nice and straight. 

After I filled the page, I added a sheet of vellum over the top and started tracing with the beautiful turquoise blue pen in the Dream pens set. These are double-ended pens, and I used the thicker end for this project. I love how easy they are to work with: even a novice hand-letterer like me can create beautiful lines with them! It was such a relaxing exercise, and I sat at my desk with my cup of coffee and finished off the whole page.

I wanted to back that beautiful sheet of hand-lettered goodness with some additional colors from my photo, so I grabbed the Color Pop acrylic paint- set 2 and set 3. These paints have gorgeous saturated colors, and I used them on the mixed media foundations paper, which does not buckle at all. This is a perfect base for any mixed-media project! I bunched the color around where I wanted my photo to be placed, so that your eye would naturally go to the photo. Once that was dry, I machine-stitched my vellum to this painted background using white thread.

Next, I added my photo, matted with two patterned papers—On a Positive Note and Shoe In—
and journaling, which I added to two tags in the diecut frames pack, then started adding embellishment, using the same colors that I painted on my page background. 

So that I didn't cover up any more of that gorgeous hand-lettered background that I worked so hard to create, I added my title directly to the negative space on my photo, using the "let go" sticker included in the Kelly Creates journal accessory kit (so many awesome phrase stickers in here!) and paired that with the black All the Good Things chipboard letter stickers. 

The beautiful birds and foiled butterfly stickers from the Sunshine and Good Times and the Amy Tangerine sticker book created the perfect accents for this page about living in this happy moment with my family. I also finished off the page with a few All the Good Things finishing embellishments. 

I can't wait to create more beautiful, bespoke backgrounds using these easy-to-use Kelly Creates products! They're the perfect products to perfect your hand-lettering! 

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out all of the products that I used on this layout at Scrapbook.com via the gallery below, and thank you so much for clicking to support this blog and my YouTube feed! 

AC Sunshine and Good Times: Wonderful Coronado Adventure

Hello there! Last fall we spent five days in beautiful San Diego, California, and I have so many wonderful memories to record from our trip. Today, I'm here to share my latest layout about a gorgeous day we spent bicycling around Coronado Island, using the latest American Crafts and Amy Tangerine collection, Sunshine and Good Times. (*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!)

Supplies | Sunshine and Good Times Collection: Rainbow Love patterned paper, Shoe In patterned paper, Slice of the Good Life patterned paper, ephemera die-cuts, sticker book, puffy phrase Thickers, glitter alphabet Thickers, washi tape, rotary stamp; Other collections: Box of Crayons photo corners, All the Good Things finishing embellishments, Glitter Girl embellishment pack

These energetic and colorful photos deserved the same vibe of product to work with, and the Sunshine and Good Times collection was the perfect choice! I pulled the blue, green and red hues out of my photos to match with my layout, choosing the Rainbow Love, Shoe In and Slice of Life patterned papers to go with my clean, white background. 

I had three biking photos that I wanted to use on this page, and only one was a vertical photo. So, I decided to place that in the center of the layout, with the two horizontal photos on either side, tucking them underneath the central photo so that they were essentially squares. Once my patterned papers and photos were in place, I noticed that my page had a central focus with the vertical image placed there, so I decided to create a central column for the title and journaling, with embellishment emanating from them.

This is where the other colors came in! Once I found the "adventure" die-cut in the ephemera die-cuts, I knew that I wanted to get more colorful on this page, and built a title using it, the glitter alphabet Thickers and the "wonderful" clear sticker from the sticker book, which I adhered to white cardstock before sticking it on with foam adhesive. After my title was in place, I immediately added the colorful manufacturer's strip to the base of the page, then to balance all of the color in the center and the bottom, I added an acetate flower die-cut from the ephemera die-cuts to the top. Balance achieved!

Adding my journaling in typed strips, the only thing left to do was to embellish! I added larger embellishments, like the "fun starts here" ribbon from the All the Good Things finishing embellishments, and the wooden camera button from the Glitter Girl embellishment pack. Is anyone else hoarding these fun embellishments like me?

The last step was to add a spray of colorful hearts coming out from my central column, and I did that with the large hearts in the puffy phrase Thickers sheet and small, stamped hearts using the rotary stamp. To add even more hearts to show my love for this day, I also added a row of heart washi tape just below my journaling. 

I love this page, and the fun day with my family that it records! Click the product links below to shop the Sunshine and Good Times collection products that I used on this page to document your own colorful adventures!

Introducing Title Builder Volume 2!

Today is an exciting day, as my second collaboration with Elle's Studio, Title Builder Volume 2, is now available in the Elle's Studio shop!*

(*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!)

I LOVE creating titles! Not only coming up with clever titles, but also choosing the product to make them! When I launched my class, Terrific Titles, at Big Picture Classes, I wanted to create a product that made title building easier, and that's when I paired with Elle's Studio to bring you the original Title Builder products! Now, Title Builder Volume 2 will add even more title possibilities to your stash! Watch this introduction video to see what you can create with this fun product!

I had so much fun creating with these new products last week! I quickly and easily made three simple projects, with beautiful and poignant titles! I love how easily they come together with these Title Builder products! 

Title Builder has been designed to work as a series of a 6" x 8" stamp, acrylic and wood veneer which you can get in a specially-priced bundle for 15% off the retail cost, or you can buy each piece individually. 

With your purchase of the Title Builder Vol. 2 stamp or the bundle, you will also receive a PDF via email with over 100 title combinations that you can create with the stamp only! Add on the words from the acrylic, wood veneer or alphas from your own stash, and the possibilities are endless!

I can not wait to see what you create with these fun, new products! Be sure to tag me, @meghannandrew on Instagram, or simply use the hashtag #EllesStudio if you order, when your box arrives, or when you create with Title Builder Volume 2! 

U.S.S. Midway Layout + Pocket Page with Process Video

The April kit and extras* from Elle's Studio are so fabulous, I've created another project to share with you today, and this is my favorite type of project—a layout and pocket page combination! I created this project about a wonderful day that we spent on the U.S.S. Midway in San Diego, California.

(*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!)

Supplies | April 2018 kit, April 2018 cut files, February Blank Label Stickers, Everyday Goodness stickers, Banner stickers, Currently wood veneer tabs, Adventure puffy stickers, Yellow puffy alphabet stickers, Puffy star stickers, Acrylic stars, Currently stamp, Mini Dated stamp, Noteworthy double-sided journaling tags, Noteworthy 6" x 6" paper stack, Noteworthy 12" x 12" paper collection

I love pairing layouts and pocket pages when I have a lot of photos to document without a lot of time. This day was certainly worth the multiple pages.

I loved creating this custom embellishment with the April 2018 cut files, Currently stamp and Adventure puffy stickers

The new Mini Dated stamp was perfect for adding the date to this die-cut from the April 2018 kit.

While creating, I filmed a video so that you could see my process! Grab a cuppa and have a look:

I also added to the pockets on the back side of this spread, and continued the star theme:

With such a fantastic choice of tags, die-cuts and embellishments this month, this spread was easy, and so fun to put together! Be sure to check out all of the new product in the Elle's Studio shop, including the Noteworthy collection! 

Elle's Studio April Kit + Noteworthy REVEAL!

What an exciting day it is at Elle's Studio! Not only do we have a new kit and add-ons available in the shop, but a new collection, called Noteworthy! I have two different unboxing videos available to show you all of the new goodies! 

How fun are all of these new products! I was in heaven this month creating with all of these beautiful, new supplies:

The April kit is just fantastic. I love all of the beautiful colors and easy-to-use sentiments! 

Hello add-ons! They coordinate perfectly with the kit, as well as the new Noteworthy collection! From left to right you have: Everyday Goodness stickers, acrylic stars, Currently stamp, April labels, Adventure puffy stickers, Adventure acrylic, yellow puffy alphabet stickers, Mini Dated stamp, banner stickers, Currently wood veneer tabs and vellum sentiments. 

Let's not forget about the Noteworthy collection! 

This beautiful collection is available in a bundle with everything you see above, specially priced, and comes with free goodies! You can also purchase each element of the collection separately.  

I'm going to show you two projects that I created today, and save my favorite for later this week! First off, I used the April 2018 kit and Noteworthy collection to create a "wonderful" page about a wonderful day spent with my little family in the U.K., created with just a few products from the new release:

Supplies | April 2018 kit, Everyday Goodness stickers, banner stickers, Adventure puffy stickers, little acrylic hearts, Mini Dated stamp, Currently stamp, Noteworthy 6" x 6" paper stack, Noteworthy 12" x 12" paper collection

I loved creating this border of banners using Noteworthy paper, tags from the new kit and stickers! How great is the new Mini Dated stamp, too? It's the perfect size for any place on a project! 

My next layout was created using Noteworthy only, and it records a very special moment in my daughter's life: the day she met her most favorite Disney character.

Supplies (all from Noteworthy) | Cutouts, word labels, blank labels, double-sided journaling tags, wood veneer, bits and pieces, epoxy stickers, puffy stickers, stamp, 6" x 6" paper stack, 12" x 12" paper collection

I really can't choose a favorite product in this collection. From the stamp, to the puffy stickers and paper... it's all fabulous! 

Be sure to pick up the newest April 2018 kit at its introductory day price of $9.99 while supplies last, and don't forget to grab a Noteworthy bundle while they're in the shop! Happy shopping, and happy creating with these beautiful products! 

Altenew’s 4th Anniversary Blog Hop Day 2 + Giveaway

Welcome to my blog, Brioche and Blessings, and happy 4th anniversary Altenew! I'm excited to share my latest layout with you, created with fun Altenew products! You've probably arrived here from Debby Hughes' blog, but if you've gotten lost along the hop, check out the bottom of this post for the Day 2 master list. You can also head over to the Altenew blog for all of the details about this celebration!

I've been creating with some fun Altenew products, and I'm excited to share what I've made with you! Stamping is one of my favorite techniques, and to create a new 8-1/2" x 11" layout, I chose a stamp set from the Altenew shop that is perfect for scrapbook layouts!

Altenew Supplies | "Our Family" scrapbook kit, "Snapshots" stamp set, "Basic Borders" stamp set, "Crafty Life" stamp set

I loved creating a watercolor effect on my stamped cameras from the "Snapshots" stamp set. I wanted to share how easy it is to re-create, so I filmed a quick process video while stamping the layout background. Grab a cuppa and watch how this page came together!

Now, here is the fun part: You can win one of 30 prizes just for leaving a comment along each blog post on the hop! Check out this amazing list of prizes, and leave me a comment today telling me what you love most about stamping! Be sure to leave comments by April 15th, 2018 at 11:59 PM EDT for a chance to win! 30 WINNERS will be chosen at random from the comments left on any of the blogs listed below and will be announced on the Altenew blog on April 17th, 2018.

• Altenew: 5 $50 Altenew Gift Certificates

• Altenew Academy: 5 Class Spots

• Jennifer McGuire Ink: 2 $100 Altenew Gift Certificates

• Online Card Classes: 3 Class Spots

• Simon Says Stamp: $50 Gift Certificate

• Scrapbook.com: $50 Gift Certificate

• My Sweet Petunia: Mini MISTI Stamping Tool

• Tombow USA: 2 Dual Brush Pen Sets(10 Colors) and 2 TwinTone Dual Tip Marker Sets(12 Colors)

• WOW! Embossing Powder: $40 Gift Certificate

• Create & Craft TV: £25 Gift Certificate

• Ellen Hutson LLC: $25 Gift Certificate

• Butterfly Reflections Ink: $25 Gift Certificate

• Amy Tangerine: 2 Signed Copies of Craft a Life You Love

• Chameleon Pens: 1 Pack of 5 Chameleon Pens

• Scrapbook & Cards Today: 1 Copy of Scrapbook & Cards Today Spring 2018 Issue

Your next stop along the hop is with Mindy Baxter, but here is the full hop list, should you have gotten lost along the way:

Altenew

Kristina Werner

Lilith Eeckels

Jessica Frost-Ballas

Agnieszka Malyszek

Keeway Tsao

Terhi Koskinen

WOW! Embossing Powder

Debby Hughes

Meghann Andrew

Mindy Baxter

My Sweet Petunia

Laura Jane

Julia Altermann

Justine Hovey

Thanks for stopping by, and happy creating! 

Scrapbook and Cards Today: Blue Skies and Butterflies Kit Layout

Hello there! I am so excited to share one of my favorite layouts created so far this year, using the beautiful Blue Skies and Butterflies Kit from Scrapbook and Cards Today Magazine. If you've never purchased one of their kits before, you're in for a treat! They include the latest products from the industry, along with beautiful exclusives, plus a well-designed, useful stamp! I created a few projects with the kit, and as a bonus, instructions on how to create them can be found in a full-color download when you purchase the kit.

This was my favorite creation using the kit—a 12" x 12" layout documenting a favorite photo of my little girl.

I have held on to this photo for AGES, as I loved it so much, and didn't have the "perfect" products to go along with it. That all went out the window when my Blue Skies and Butterflies Kit arrived! I wanted the layout to be playful and a bit haphazard, but colorful and fun, just like my little girl.

Do you see those adorable little pinwheels? They are from the exclusive stamp, which I stamped onto patterned paper from the kit! I love all of the beautiful colors included in this kit—from spring to fall, they will work with any season you want to scrap! 

I also did a bit of fussy-cutting on this layout. Those lovely American Crafts All the Good Things butterflies and Pink Paislee Pick Me Up frame just needed to be cut out and added to this page. I even used the frame to add a tiny bit of journaling, along with the date of the photo.

Another exclusive download that you will receive when you purchase the kit is a sheet of large tags—great for journaling or adding to your page for embellishment, like I did with the black and white gingham tag here. I simply cut a banner notch at the bottom to hang it from the base of my heavily-layered photo mat. 

Those tiny little bows (included on the exclusive stamp in the kit) stamped around my page added the perfect girly touch and tiny elements that I love to add around embellishment groupings.

You know, I'm not a massive fan of sparkle, but the Heidi Swapp frame and "shine on" glitter Thickers from the All the Good Things collection included in this kit added just the perfect touch to this layout, and made my photo the focus of all of the lovely layers included on this page. Plus, the glitter on them does not come off—a must for this glitter-phobic girl!

I really loved working with this kit! Stay tuned to see more projects that I created using it, and be sure to grab one of the Blue Skies and Butterflies Kits while supplies last! Happy creating!

Elle's Studio March 2018 Reveal: Hello Easter

Hello! I'm here to share my second layout created with the March 2018 Kit and add-ons from Elle's Studio, which released today. To see all of the new product that was released today, as well as my first layout and process video, go to my previous reveal blog post. 

Easter is a big theme in this month's kit, and the beautiful colors in the kit were a perfect match to my daughter's dress that she wore for an Easter egg hunt at her school last year.

"Hello Easter" supplies | March 2018 Kit, Happy Day printables, Big Moment phrase stickers, vellum and wood veneer bunnies, little acrylic hearts, Happy Moments stamp, Title Builder stamp, Live Laugh Love puffy stickers, XOXO 6" x 6" Paper Stack, Family Fun 12" x 12" Paper Collection

How cute are these vellum bunnies? I love their fun, bright colors! I used them to flank my photos and draw attention to them. The Live Laugh Love puffy stickers flowers were also perfect to peek out from behind my photos.

My title is often my favorite part of a layout, and this one is no exception! I used the word "hello" from the Title Builder stamp and layered it with the word "Easter" from this month's Happy Moments stamp. I love that beautiful handwritten font!  

To the right of the title, I added the "love this so much" circle die-cut from the Happy Day printables. The "big smiles" Big Moment phrase sticker matched the pink paper from the XOXO 6" x 6" Paper Stack perfectly, and a flower from the Live Laugh Love puffy stickers finished off the grouping. To add a tiny bit of yellow and some texture to my paper strips, I used the dots border from the Happy Moments stamp. I love all of the fun sayings, patterns and images on this stamp!

Be sure to check out all of the product I used on this layout while supplies last, and happy creating!

Elle's Studio March 2018 Reveal!

The March 2018 Elle's Studio kit and add-ons* are live, and full of color and spring themes for your paper crafting projects! I filmed an unboxing video, so that you can see each piece from the latest release here: 

(*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!) 

The colors in the March 2018 kit are really amazing! From rainbow stripes to a bold kelly green and beautiful cerulean blue, this kit offers a wide palette to choose from:

Talk about color! These add-ons are full of color and possibilities for your paper crafting projects! From left to right, you can see: little acrylic hearts, Happy Moments stamp, March labels, puffy star stickers, Days of the Week chipboard stickers, rainbow acrylic, One of a Kind wood veneer, Big Moment phrase stickers, cerulean blue puffy alphabet stickers, vellum and wood veneer bunnies.

Finally, you can get more "bang for your buck" with these awesome Happy Day printables and March digital cut files:

With all of the gorgeous color in this month's kit, I was inspired to document a photo full of colorful balloons, from our most recent trip to Disneyland. 

One of a Kind Disney Moment by Meghann Andrew – supplies used | March 2018 Kit, March Labels, One of a Kind Wood Veneer, Cerulean Blue Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Puffy Star Stickers, Happy Moments Stamp, Family Fun 12" x 12" Paper Collection, Live Laugh Love 12" x 12" Paper Collection

Watch this process video to see how the page came together, and how I created that fun title from several of the add-ons this month!

I will be sharing my second layout created this month here later today, but until then, you can shop the items that I used in my One of a Kind Disney Moment layout here:

Altenew "Our Family" Scrapbook Kit: Cali Life

I finally had the opportunity to meet May with Altenew* at Creativation, and it was so lovely to finally put a face to someone who I have corresponded with for a couple of years now! This company is making amazing things; including stamps, inks, dies AND paper products, and I was totally humbled when she handed me their newest scrapbook kit, Our Family*, to create with, no strings attached. It's taken me a while to have time to crack it open, but when I did, I was so inspired to document a beautiful day we shared together in Laguna, California. (*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!) 

Supplies | Altenew "Our Family" scrapbook kit, Crate Paper Carousel ephemera die-cuts, Crate Paper Carousel chipboard stickers, Crate Paper Carousel stars

The base for my layout was created with a gorgeous multi-colored "painted" background from the Our Family scrapbook kit. I knew as soon as I saw it that it would be the perfect backdrop for these colorful photos from an adventure at a beach playground. 

The elements in the kit, like these colorful chipboard alphabet stickers, paired perfectly with my photos, as well as the Crate Paper Carousel collection ephemera die-cuts. I love their thin font, as well as their painted border.

To add to my title at the bottom of the page, I paired those alphabet stickers with the "life" chipboard sticker, also from the Our Family scrapbook kit, which topped the die-cut camera, accented with the chipboard sticker heart. My layout didn't need much more embellishment, but the Carousel stars and gorgeous enamel dots from the Our Family scrapbook kit finished off the page.

This page was so fun to create with this beautiful kit! See my video below for the full process of its creation, as well as a look into the kit itself before I got to work:

Thanks for watching! What will you document with the gorgeous Altenew Our Family scrapbook kit? Happy creating! 

Shimelle Box of Crayons: Say Yes Often

I was so excited to see my friend, Shimelle, release another beautiful collection with American Crafts called Box of Crayons. This playful, vibrant collection is so fun to create with, and before I attended the Creativation show in Phoenix, I was able to create two new layouts that were displayed in Shimelle's lovely booth of new product. 

The first layout that I created is all about remembering to say "yes" every once in a while to fun things. I keep to a pretty strict routine, and sometimes I need a reminder to break it every once in a while, and this page is an attempt to remind myself to do just that.

As soon as I saw the "say yes often" cut-apart on the Say Yes Often paper, I based my layout around it, and found a photo from a time when I said, "yes," to my daughter having her face painted at the zoo, which brought us so much happiness. 

I started my layout with a base of the Promise patterned paper. I loved having that bold stripe on the background. I printed my photo at 4" x 6" and placed it to white cardstock, adding the super fun photo corners to it, with the "say yes" card next to it. To frame it, I added a manufacturer's strip of cameras to the top, and below, a fun orange strip from the All the Things patterend paper to give the weight below my photo that I needed. 

To this strip, I added circles from the On a Roll patterned paper, shapes fussy-cut from the Snapshot, and All the Things patterend paper, which I ran through with my sewing machine and adhered with dimensional adhesive to give the layout texture and dimension. I also added the awesome glitter shaker sticker toucan, which was appropriate for documenting a day at the zoo, and the fun mini puffy stickers,

This layout was so easy to create, with only a few supplies! The Box of Crayons collection is definitely one of my favorites this spring, and with all of the versatile colors and patterns, I know this is one that I will use year-round! Be sure to pick up the products that I used to create this layout at Scrapbook.com with the gallery below, and happy creating!

Elle's Studio February Kit: The Best of 2017

There was something so inspiring about the Elle's Studio February digital cut files, and as soon as I saw the camera die-cut, I was inspired to repeat it over and over on an 8-1/2" x 11" layout to tell the best stories of 2017. (*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!) 

Supplies | February 2018 kit, February digital cut files, February blank label stickers, wood veneer icons, shapes and dots puffy stickers, 2017 small black acrylic, All the Details stamp, Title Builder stamp, Icon stamp, XOXO 6" x 6" paper stack, Live Laugh Love 6" x 6" paper stack, Family Fun 6" x 6" paper stack, Family Fun 12" x 12" paper collection

I wanted to create a 2017 wrap-up layout to add to the end of my 2017 album, and when I got my colorful, die-cut patterned paper cameras on the page, created with the February digital cut files I wasn't left with much room for journaling. I racked my brain to figure out how I could make it work, then realized that I could change the die-cut file to add a journaling spot behind each camera, that would wrap up the highlights of each month from 2017. 

Adding the journaling behind my photos made this layout interactive—definitely one to pull of of the sleeve in your scrapbook album. I love how colorful the cameras are against that clean, white background, and I tried to coordinate the colors in my photos with the patterned paper colors to make them pop off the page. 

The 2017 small black acrylic was the perfect start to my title, and using it in black created the perfect amount of contrast I needed on this page to keep it graphic and bold. 

I loved creating this layout, and I filmed a process video while doing it! In it, you can see how I modified the camera die-cut to add my journaling behind my patterned paper cameras in Silhouette Studio software. I hope you can grab a cuppa (or—who are we kidding—a glass of wine) and have a watch!

You can find all of the product that I used on this layout in the Elle's Studio shop by clicking on the gallery images below. Thanks for your support and happy creating!

1Canoe2 Twilight Collection: Home is a Trail

I was so excited to receive the newest collection from American Crafts and 1Canoe2, Twilight. This collection is the perfect mix of pretty and outdoorsy, and that combination totally fits my style and my personality! (*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!)

As soon as I saw the colors in this collection, I thought of a photo of myself at the end of a long hike to Mount LeConte in the Smoky Mountain National Park. Once I saw the "incandescently happy" cut-apart card from the Feels Like Home patterned paper, I knew that this memory was meant to be documented with Twilight.

This beautiful "Feels Like Home" heart sticker from the Twilight cardstock stickers became the template for three other patterned paper hearts, which I arranged on a washi tape grid and topped with embellishment. 

How gorgeous are these fabric Thickers? I love the font and the gorgeous neutral hue. I paired these with the "home" foil die cut from the Twilight ephemera pack to create my title.

I hid my journaling underneath my photo, accessible with a paper clip flag. I topped the journaling card with the date stamped with the Twilight rotary stamp. I just love the small, clean font on this date stamp.

To see all of the other details that I added to this page, you can check out my process video:

And don't forget to shop the beautiful products I used on this page while they are ON SALE and supplies still last! You can see all of these products in the gallery below:

Dear Lizzy Stay Colorful: Treat YoSelf

Hello! The newest collections from American Crafts are my favorite from the recent Creativation show releases, and today I'm sharing a layout created with the Stay Colorful collection* from Dear Lizzy! I love that the color scheme on this collection is so wide. From deep blues and bright pinks, to warm fall-toned hues like I used below, you can document a wide range of memories with this collection. (*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!)

This photo was taken after a REALLY hard "mom day." My husband saw that I needed a break, and took my daughter away, leaving me to re-charge my batteries over a cappuccino and macaron on a recent trip to Seattle. I snapped this photo after crying a bit, and calling my mom. (As you do in these kind of circumstances.) 

Even though this wasn't necessarily a happy moment, it deserved to be documented, and how better than with a pretty photo and beautiful product to match? I initially reached for the Stay Colorful collection because of the lovely "treat Yo self" tag in the ephemera pack, which matched the colors in my photo perfectly. 

On my white cardstock background, I wanted to add a bit of soft color. I almost reached for my watercolors, but then remembered the All the Good Things Art Crayons from Vicki Boutin. When rubbed on a piece of plastic and brushed with a stiff blender brush in a circular motion on the white cardstock, I created a beautiful glow to back my embellishment and frame my photo.

The "Groovy" patterned paper was perfect for fussy-cutting and adding these large florals to frame my photo. I also added a large feather die-cut from the All the Good Things ephemera pack to ground the flowers. Below, I stamped the word "relax" in dark yellow ink with the Stay Colorful clear acrylic alphabet stamps. (These are SUCH a great deal at only $3.49!)

These Stay Colorful foiled cardstock stickers are really beautiful, and I added this one at the top of my photo to bring some teal up to the top corner of my page. I also grabbed the "my happy place" banner from the All the Good Things finishing embellishments to layer over the floral. Stamping a few of the asterisks from the Stay Colorful clear acrylic alphabet stamps to add to the diagonal line of embellishment, which goes right through my photo, finished off my page. 

I loved creating this 8-1/2" x 11" layout! It came together so quickly by using these gorgeous products that had me so inspired! Be sure to check out all of the product I used today via this gallery, ON SALE now at Scrapbook.com! Thanks for stopping by!

Elle's Studio February 2018 Kit Reveal: January Pockets

The Elle's Studio kit and add-ons released today, and I am excited to share a double pocket-page spread that I created using these new products, along with a few of my favorites from the shop. These pockets record the beginning of January. (*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!)

Supplies | February 2018 kit, Icon Printables, Counting Steps journaling tags, February blank label stickers, The Best banner stickers, Shapes and Dots puffy stickers, sky blue puffy alphabet stickers, teal puffy alphabet stickers, Monthly puffy stickers, wood veneer snowflakes, wood veneer ampersands, Title Builder Wood Veneer, Title Builder Acrylic, All the Details stamp, Icon stamp, Title Builder stamp, Happy Birthday Stamp

On the left side, I started with my 4" x 6" monthly marker. I was excited to finally be able to use the wood veneer snowflakes from the shop, and layered it up with a blue tag from the kit, and sky blue and teal puffy sticker alphas.

I love these blank tags, designed to fit the graphic icons found in the kit and the Icon stamp. I also added the stamped "in one word" box from the All the Details stamp

On the right side, I started off with a simple 4" x 6" tag featuring the wood veneer ampersands and the word "life" from the Title Builder Acrylic. I also used another wood veneer snowflake on this side, to balance the left and celebrate a snow day here in Texas.

I used the Icon Printables, recoloring this striped tag, as well as the hearts tag to match my blue, teal and yellow color scheme. I stamped the balloons from the Happy Birthday Stamp onto one of the bold, striped tags from the kit, fussy cutting them out. I also created a patterned balloon with the Icon stamp.

Great news! I created a process video while putting this spread together! Check out this short video to see how I focused on keeping my page balanced, and used the "less is more" theory to keep it fairly simple. 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to check out the February 2018 kit and add-ons while supplies last! 

Elle's Studio February 2018 Kit Reveal

It's that time of the month again! The Elle's Studio February 2018 kit and add-ons are live and I have an unboxing video below to show you all of the latest and greatest product that hit the shop today! (*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!)

The February 2018 kit is a rainbow of colors, with a range of sayings and graphics. I love the fun, bold stripes, mixed with the softer florals and prints.

In addition to the kit, the add-ons come in a range of colors and textures, with fun, graphic icons to add to your projects. From left to right, you can see: cork speech bubbles, Brave acrylic, wood veneer cameras, February icon labels, The Best banner stickers, Icon stamp, Shapes and Dots puffy stickers, February blank label stickers, wood veneer icons, ampersand wood veneer, Kind acrylic

I also both the digital cut files and Icon Printables heavily this month! There are so many great items here to re-use over and over again on your projects! 

My first project was a 12" x 12" layout that I created using a kit-driven color scheme, with everyday photos from our favorite weekend activity: an after gym class smoothie treat!

Supplies | February 2018 kit, Icon Printables, digital cut files, The Best banner stickers, cork speech bubbles, Shapes and Dots puffy stickers, Hugs and Kisses puffy stickers, All the Details stamp, Icon stamp, Live Laugh Love 6" x 6" paper stack, Live Laugh Love 12" x 12" paper collection

You can see how this easy, mixed-media layout came together in this process video:

Be sure to check back later this afternoon, when I will share my second project created with the February 2018 kit and add-ons! If you like pocket pages, you'll want to stop back! 

SCT Winter Issue: For the Love of Travel

I was so excited when we received our assignments for the Scrapbook and Cards Today winter issue because we were to document something that we loved. Well, aside from my family, my next love is travel! I love going new places, eating new foods and taking in the culture wherever I go. It was only natural that this is what I decided to document for the issue. 

So, I sat down to create my layout, and made a single 12" x 12" layout. 

I loved my layout, and was so happy with how it turned out. It wasn't until I went to send it to the editor for review, when I saw that I had the assignment wrong... it was supposed to be a 12" x 12" double page spread! After my initial moment of panic wore off, I decided to take a deep breath and challenge myself to making this the right side of a double page spread, and what I created ended up being one of my favorite layouts from 2017, using the Escape the Ordinary collection from Pinkfresh Studio. (*All product links contained in this post are affiliate links. You don't pay any extra, but I get a small percentage of your sale! Thanks for your continued support of my YouTube feed and this blog!)

Supplies | Pinkfresh Studio Escape the Ordinary collection at Scrapbook.com: Explore Patterned Paper, Dare Patterned Paper, Wander Patterned Paper, Fabric Die Cut Pieces, Leatherette Alpha Stickers, Layered Tags, Clear Acrylic Stamp; at Simon Says Stamp: Puffy Stickers, Ephemera Die Cuts, Chipboard Stickers

My challenge, after I created a single-page layout that I loved, was to create a complementary page to that layout, and I feel like I did just that with the left side of the spread. You can see how I created my initial page, including how I used the print and cut method on my Silhouette Cameo to add a circular photo to my layout, as well as the decisions I made when I made this a double-page spread instead of a single page, on the following process video:

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope this video has shown you that there are no "accidents" in crafting—only opportunities for more creativity! Happy creating!