Seaside Part 3

It's taken a little bit but I did it, I stretched my workshop into five double page layouts!  My goal was to try to get three or four so I was pleased that I made it to five.  I was able to do this by using the front and back of the paper.  I used every scrap that was 1/2" and bigger.  I stuck to the stamps, inks, and dots for the workshop.  The fiber that was used was the only thing that didn't come with this workshop and I've actually had it for quite awhile so it needed to be used.

For the first layout I can fit four 3.75x4" photos on the Sorbet color cardstock.  I inked the edge of the cardstock too.

On the Pear cardstock you can fit two 3.5x6" photos.  One 6x3" on the Desert Sand, and one 3x5" on the Colonial white.  Or you could do two 3x3" photos on the Desert Sand.

For this layout you can fit three 4x6" photos on the left and two on the right.  As well as two 3.5x3.5" photos on the right.

For the last layout I used the stamp that looks like a net to make a background design.  The left page can fit one 4x6" photo and one 4x3.5" photo.  The right can fit one 4.5x4.5" photo and one 5x7" photo.  I also added a small journaling scrap.

The measurements are for the size of the photo not the size of the paper.  Those sizes could always be adjusted to how much of the photo mat you prefer to show.  I usually leave 1/4" showing around the photo.

I hope this has shown you that scrapbooking can be as much or as little as you want!  The workshop is a great option for stretching your money on supplies.

Blossom Birthday Card

I created a Birthday card last week for a friend.  I haven't created a lot of cards but I wanted to see what I could come up with using the new Blossom paper and the Stamp of the Month for April, Typed Note.  My lighting isn't the greatest here, but here it is.  I over think stuff all the time and told myself during nap time that I would go and just see what I could come up with.  I didn't let myself get hung up.  I just kept saying keep going and let the creativity flow, then if I don't like it I can always start over.  This isn't a difficult card so it didn't take me very long.

I wanted to use colors that all coordinated so I used the colors from the Blossom paper.  I used Sunset, Pear, and Juniper inks.  The diagonal striped paper is a zip strip, then I added a scrap with a dove tail end, and finally a piece of teal shimmer trim.  

The Stamp of the Month is just $5 with a $50 purchase and if you are purchasing a grab bag that counts towards that amount!

Here's are all the stamps included in the Typed Note stamp set:

$35 Deal of the Day grab bag

My $35 grab bag that I ordered on the 2nd arrived!!  I didn't pay for upgraded shipping and with the storms the last couple days the shipping was a little delayed.  I was so excited to see what I got!

Since you only have to order one full priced item to be able to purchase the grab bag, I chose an ink pad.  I also added a Seasonal Expressions 2 catalog for free.

Here's the contents and there's some really great stuff in here!  The stamp set is from a scrapbooking workshop, so that's an exclusive set that you could only get by purchasing the workshop.  I'm already picturing Mother's Day cards with that stamp set!  Later skater Picture My Life cards from last year.  The green chevron bags are a retired item too.  Everything else can be found in the current catalog.  The only item that I don't know the price of is the green bags.  But when I had totaled everything else up not including that price I was already at over $70 in product!!  What a deal.  I have another one coming that should be here soon too and I'll do a preview of that also. If you aren't already a fan of Close to my Heart on Facebook give them a like.  They will be doing sneak peaks of different products that could end up in your grab bag!

Remember each day is a different deal and different price point.  Also multiple bags may not contain the same items.  Check out my website for your chance to get yours!

Seaside Workshop on the go, Part 2

Here is the second two page layout from the Seaside workshop on the go.  For this layout I used the additional layout shown in the guide as inspiration.  I stuck with greens and blues again just because that's what I'm drawn to and that's the color palette that comes more naturally to me.  I actually struggle with making feminine pages and find making pages with just one photo on them a challenge.  But I do like to try new techniques and push myself out of my comfort zone so all my pages aren't the same.  The original layout had all the photos vertical.  I don't take many photos that way, but figured even if I don't end up with vertical photos for the right page I can alway use the extra space for journaling below a photo.  I really wanted to figure out a way to use just one sheet for the background and accent paper.  So I cut it smaller than the recommended sizes that way I could stretch my workshop.  The piece I'm referring to is the striped paper and the brown herringbone pattern is on the back side.

After I created this I still had two full 12x12 pieces of paper and a few other good sized pieces of the other sheets.  My problem I'm now debating is that none of my background pieces will match.  Although I'm okay with that, since all the papers are from the same collection.  It's just a bit more challenging!  

You can see a crease on the close up of the Oh what a feeling stamped image, but since that stamp kind of looks distressed I figured that it would be okay.  That was another piece the little guy got his hands on.  The paper with the sunglasses and cameras are stamps from the set.  The chicken wire stamp in Glacier was used to create the border along the bottom.  The best part was it didn't have to be lined up perfect, it could just be stamped however and look great!  The be right back and happy place are stamped images that have been cut out.  The three other little sentiments on the top right, of the right page are just cut from the zip strip.  I talked about the zip strips in my previous post on Seaside.  All in all this page is actually a great example of how you don't have to spend a ton of money to create something you like!  

I'm just getting into stamping and it's a great way to add something extra that coordinates perfectly.  If you would like to try something like this out but you aren't sure where to start, I'd love to set up a gathering or a workshop and show you how!  You can contact me through my website or leave a comment below.

Seaside Workshop on the go, Part 1

There are several Workshop on the go sets between the Annual Inspirations and the Seasonal Expressions 2.  Which by the way has some awesome new products!!  Going back to the idea of the workshops, there are card and scrapbooking workshops but I'm just going to focus on scrapbooking for this post.

 The workshop comes with quite a bit and you're still left with a good amount after completing two, 2-page layouts.  The guide that comes with it will tell you all the supplies needed, and the measurements for cutting the paper as well as tips on creating specific techniques!  It takes all the work out of it.  This is great for someone who thinks that they aren't creative.  You will be shown how to create the layout using Cricut cuts, or if you don't have the Cricut cartridge it shows how you can create a layout without the cartridge.  Plus it provides you with an alternative layout idea inspired by layouts in the idea books!  You don't have to make the layouts exactly the way they're shown too.  If you tend to take more horizontal photos, adjust the layout to accommodate your particular photos.  The stamp set included is a full D-size set, and it's exclusive to the workshop.  In fact, that's the only way to get that particular stamp set.

If stamping doesn't interest you the paper packs are available and you can always purchase the complements or other embellishments separately.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Workshops on the Go&® Seaside Scrapbooking Kit Contents
1 – My Reflections™ Seaside Paper Packet (X7192B)
1 – My Acrylix® Seaside Workshop Stamp Set (D-size)
2 – Cardstock Sheets (1 Colonial White, 1 Pear)
1 – Seaside Assortment (Z3014)
1 – Aqua Dots (Z1853)
1 – Instructional Brochure
Featured Colors: Desert Sand, Glacier, Pear, Sorbet, Colonial White

Use the material and instructions in this kit to create two beautiful 2-page layouts.

Stamp images outlined in red coordinate with the Cricut® Artbooking collection (Z1906).

Here's my first scrapbook layout and it's from the Seaside Workshop on the go.  I'm in love with these papers!  Everything can be used and you aren't going to have a ton of wasted product.  Even the little zip strips that are the 1/2" of paper that has the logo and other information about the paper set, on the other side there are different patterns that can be used!  The beach and being around the water is one of my favorite things so this workshop was perfect for some beach photos from last summer.  Luckily the papers survived multiple attacks from an almost two year old ninja.  So please ignore any creases or weird bends in the paper, thanks.

I used Pear and Glacier inks in place of Sorbet, because I thought I had that color and I don't.  *Double check your supply stash before placing an order for new stuff.  When I'm deciding how to cut my paper for a layout I like to use the rule measure twice, cut once.  Mostly because I've got kids playing beside me or I'm multitasking while scrapping, which I don't recommend.  I followed the guide pretty much for this layout and used their cutting measurements.  The only thing I did differently was adjust my Colonial White cardstock so that I could use just that one sheet and save the other one for the other layouts.  I chose to do it this way because I'm attempting to get three 2-page layouts from this workshop, more to come on that later.  On the right page for the Polaroid looking pieces, I only put a piece of foam tape along the bottom for now.  That way it'll be easier to get my photos in position and then I'll add the adhesive and foam tape.  I really liked the idea the guide had of cutting the journaling area up and matting it.  I've actually never done that before now, and it was really simple to make.

I hope you liked the layout and it inspires you to create something pretty today!  For more information check out my website.