May Papermaze Kit - Part 1

Hello, It's Lynn here today with the May Papermaze kit (a little later than usual due to holidays). The kit this month is full of brightly coloured patterned papers and cardstock - great fun! I have used mine to make four layouts of my children's activities back in the 1990's. The photo below shows the first two of these layouts.

Before looking at how the layouts were made, here is what you will find in the kit.

Patterned Papers:
49 and Market - Vicki Boutin - Artful Moments - Starters Paper #2 & #9
Simple Stories - Colour Me Happy - Okie Dokie & The Details
Simple Stories - Say Cheese Happiest Place - Adventure
Simple Stories - Take Note - My Favourite Things

The image below, shows both sides of the patterned papers.

Embellishments:
Doodlebug doilies - cupcake & mint, Pretty Little Studio - sunkissed word titles, Pebbles - Sun & Fun puffy dots, Jen Hadfield – Reaching Out – Rainbow Clip, P13 chipboard stars, Vicki Bouton – Bold & Bright puffy stickers, Rosie's Studio – Jubilee die cut sentiments, Studio Light Essentials washi tape

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Raven, African Daisy (included in kit), Ocean Oasis, Bazzill White, Berry Sensation & Intense Kiwi (extra pack).

Crazy Cozy Coupe - The children on their 3rd birthday, with the gift of a Little Tikes Cosy Coupe. 

For this layout I chose the Starters Paper #2, and keeping the barcode strip at the bottom of the page, I trimmed the same side strip from the top of the paper instead - so I still have a 12" x 12" piece of paper.

I printed five small photos of the event, and arranged these across the base of the page - leaving room to tuck items under the photos in places. I purchased an extra sheet of paper from the same collection - Starters Paper #8, this one is made up of 24 colourful tags, I cut out nine tags in colours to match the paint strips on the background paper. I inked the edges in Black Soot Distress Ink, and added a Pebbles - Sun & Fun puffy dot to each tag (from the kit).

The tags were arranged across the layout above the photos, in the same colour order as the paper beneath. I added journalling, the Vicki Bouton Bold & Bright puffy stickers, and Rosie's Studio – Jubilee die cut sentiments (both included in the kit). 

With my much loved, Spellbinders Dies Say Cheese Classic Mouse - Classic Mouse Alphabet set, I cut the title and the #3 from Raven Bazzill, and some scraps of glossy photo paper. These were layered up to make shiny letters with black shadows. Finally, I outlined the letters, tags and stickers with a black marker pen. 

Artists at Work - The children playing with paint, paper and easels in the garden.

I built the background of this layout, using Bazzill Basics Cardstock in Raven and Bazzill White. I gutted the white so I had a 1" deep 12"x 12" frame and a piece 10" x 10", I trimmed the black to 11" x 11" and gutted it to make another 1" frame. These were then built up to create the background as seen in the photos. 

I mounted two landscape photos 4.5" x 3.5" onto a piece of white card, trimmed to make a very narrow border. This was then mounted onto the Ocean Oasis Bazzill, and then again onto a piece of  The Details paper. This was placed to the left side of the layout.

I used the Starters Paper #9 in several different ways, first of all I cut eight banners from the rays of colours. These were roughly 3.5" long and as wide as printed. I inked the edges with Black Soot Distress Ink and arranged them in rainbow colour order to the right side of the photos. 

The other way I used the paper, was to stamp on, to make the colour palates and brushes etc. 
I used Clear Stamps by Eileen Hull Swatch Cards and stamped the images on the white grid part of the paper. I cut these out and then stamped onto the coloured part of the paper to produce the paint colours. These were cut out and placed over the corresponding areas on the swatch cards. I also stamped the brush tips onto the coloured areas, and added them to the brushes. 

I used some of the washi tape from the kit and chose the word ' Creativity' and ran this between the photos and the coloured banners. Then I arranged all the stamped images I made. 

Finally, I used scraps of  Raven Bazzill, and die cut letters and numbers for the date and title. These were positioned over the coloured banners.

That's all for today, back with more from this kit soon.
Thanks for looking.
Lynn x

Pinkfresh Studio ~ Paige Evans Crafted Moments

Hi everyone, it’s Anna back with you today and I’m sharing my first layout using Crafted Moments by Paige Evans and Pinkfresh Studios. 

You can find the collection in the shop here.

But for your reference I will be using the following - 

Crafted Moments 12x12 Paper Pad

Crafted Moments Cardstock Stickers

Crafted Moments Mini Puffy Alpha Stickers

Crafted Moments Floral Ephemera 

I used ‘Worth Remembering’ from the 12x12 Paper Pack, which caught my eye immediately. I saw a layout that Paige had created for iNSD using the same paper and she had hand stitched the flowers, so I decided to create my own layout inspired by her version. 

I began by mounting my photographs using the b side of ‘Dream in Colour’ from the 12x12 paper pad and positioning them on the layout where I wanted them to go. I could then work out where I was going to need to stitch and made the stitch holes. I hand stitched around the purple flowers and dark green leaves using coordinating thread. 

I then adhered my photos into position and began adding some embellishment to the layout. I extended the purple florals, by adding some additional flowers from the floral ephemera. I tucked them around the photos and also added one of the butterflies from the pack too.

I added some stickers from the cardstock stickers and a small title above one of the photos using the Mini Puffy Alpha Stickers.

Thanks so much for looking, I'll see you soon with another layout using this collection. 

Anna 

@acraftylifewithanna

 

Simple Stories Lavender Fields - You are Wild at Heart

Hi there,

Claire here today sharing a new layout with the Lavender Fields collection from Simple Stories. 

This collection includes several hexagon pieces and so I used this to inspire my design.

I cut a range of hexagons in various sizes from papers Wild at Heart, Sunshine & Honey and Lavender, arranging these from the right edge of my white cardstock.

To echo this design, I cut my photo to the same shape and adhered on foam for extra depth. 

To the left of the picture, I added a tag from the journal bits & pieces and layered a chipboard phrase on top, along with a smaller journal piece to create my "you are wild at heart" title. 

Next, I pulled out a range of florals from the floral ephemera and clustered these around my photo. For depth, I stuck some flat and others on foam.

I pulled out some smaller hexagons from the journal bits & pieces and chipboard, arranging these in small clusters across the design, helping to draw you eye in whilst also adding an extra pop of colour. I also added a few of those cute bees! 

As a final touch, I added a few black nuvo drops and that was the page done!

This was such a simple page to create and so much fun! Really love the end result. 

Thank you for joining me on the blog today! Until next month, happy scrapping! 

Claire xx

@scrappysoulmate

Uniquely Creative - Ultraviolet Delight - Having Fun

Hello, Karen here back with another scrapbook layout featuring the beautiful Ultraviolet Delight Collection from Uniquely Creative.

A few years ago, I created an autumn wreath layout that  became one of my favourites. I’ve always loved that layout, so this month I decided to "scraplift" myself - using that original idea  but swapping the autumn colours for the gorgeous purples of this latest collection.

I started with a sheet of 12x12 white cardstock. I trimmed it down slightly and matted it onto a purple sheet to create a narrow border. 

To add some dimension, I used my sewing machine to sew a white straight stitch around the entire edge.

Using the packaging technique I smooshed some Milled Lavender Distress Ink into the centre of the layout creating a soft base for the design.

On my Silhouette machine, I cut a large wreath from green cardstock and glued it onto the layout as a base for my embelishments. My photo was then placed on the left side of the layout with 3D foam underneath to raise it up a little.

Beneath the photo I added a title from the pack of Creative Cuts. 

To build up the wreath, I layered a mix of standard Creative Cuts and Vellum Creative Cuts. 

Mixing the standard die cuts with the vellum pieces created some nice dimension and shadowing.

I tucked in a few wood veneer leaves into the wreath. The natural wood tones pick up on the colours of the building in my photos.

One of the cards in the pack of Creative Cuts was a perfect spot for the details of 'where' and 'when' the photo was taken.

Finally I added a few vellum hearts to finish off the layout.

I'm so happy with this "scraplifted" version of my original layout and I hope you like it too.

I'll be back again soon.

Take Care

Karen x x

Happy - Uniquely Creative - Paperback Blooms Collection

Hi everyone, it’s Rebecca here today sharing my first layout of the month. I’ve been having so much fun creating with the Paperback Blooms collection from Uniquely Creative. It’s such a delicate and beautiful collection, and I love how versatile it is. You can find the full collection in the shop here.

To begin, I took a sheet of patterned paper from the 6x6 Collection Pack and placed it in the centre of a sheet of premium white cardstock at an angle. I then cut three smaller squares from two other patterned papers and arranged them horizontally across the larger square, keeping them at the same angle for a cohesive look. I added dimension by raising the smaller squares with adhesive craft foam — one of those scrapbook essentials I simply can’t live without!

To bring the whole design together, I matted my photo with the same woodgrain paper used for the outer squares, creating a nice sense of consistency and flow throughout the layout.

Next, I selected several floral die cuts from the Floral Creative Cuts and arranged them into two large clusters on either side of my photo. I’m a big fan of symmetry, so I always try to keep my clusters balanced where possible. One of the things I love about Uniquely Creative die cut packs is that they include two of each design, which makes creating symmetrical layouts so easy!

I chose my title from the Creative Cuts Ephemera and positioned it to the left of my photo. On the opposite side, I added the adorable koala die cut because he was sitting in a similar pose to my son in the photo — such a cute little detail!

To finish the layout, I added a couple of die cut butterflies and applied some Distress Oxide Ink in the shade “Tattered Rose” behind the patterned papers. This created a soft shadow effect around the edges of the design and helped add extra depth and softness to the page.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you’ve enjoyed taking a closer look at my layout and that it inspires you to spend some creative time in your craft room this weekend making something beautiful.

Take care,

Rebecca xx

@preciouspagespapercraft

Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Lavendar Fields

Hello!

Claire here and this month I'm very lucky to be creating with the Simple Vintage Lavendar Fields collection. You can find it in the shop here.

I adore the colours in this collection. Pretty Lavendar a, fresh spring green and a touch of soft yellow. What's not to love! 

To create this layout I chose to layer the Lavender and  Sunshine and Honey papers to create an elongated anchor for my layout. I distressed and curled the edges and raised on foam for depth.

I positioned my photos centrally, backing them with the B side of the 3x4 Elements paper to draw out that coordinating pop of green. 

Next, I selected a range of accents using the Cardstock Stickers, Journal Bits & Pieces and Floral Bits & Pieces to draw the eye across the page. Under each cluster I added some Distress oxide in coordinating pale pink and lavender shades to add a bit of a glow to the page. 

I cut two tags from the Tag paper and placed these under my photo to help draw the eye across the large cluster above it. 

The for my title, I chose Enjoy the Moment from the Bits & Pieces pack which features the core colours in the collection and helps pull the page together. I embellished with some florals and flowers from the Chipboard Pieces. 

A few sequins from my stash were sprinkled across the clusters for a finishing touch to add that extra bit of sparkle! 

I can't wait to create more with this gorgeous collection. Until then, happy scrapping! 

Claire x

@scrappysoulmate 

April Papermaze Kit - Part 2

Hello, Lynn here today with the last pair of layouts made with the pretty April Papermaze Kit. I have made two very different layouts, one with photos taken only the day before making the page, and the other a heritage page, with a photo from approximately 100 years ago! 

Before explaining how the layouts were made, here is what you will find in the kit:

Uniquely Creative - Floral Archives collection - Pretty Pollinators
Uniquely Creative - Ultra Violet Delight collection - Layers in Lilac
Uniquely Creative - Bohemian Escape collection - Lazy Afternoon
49 and Market - Plume & Petal collection - Joy & Bliss
Mintay Papers - Man Cave collection - #5

The photo below shows both sides of the papers:

Embellishments: Laser Cut Wildflowers, Foam Stickers Dreamer, Little Birdie Butterfly, Little Birdie Flowers, Simple & Basic Dots, P13 Word Stickers & Ribbon

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Whirlpool, Touch of Pink (included in Kit), Stonewash, Velvet, Date Swirl & Heidi.

Easter Bunny - My daughter and I set up an Easter egg hunt as a bit of fun for little 2-year-old Florence to find some colourful eggs in the garden. Catherine wore the bunny ears and got carried away with some selfies!

I started with the Velvet Bazzill, and gutted it to make a frame of about 1" deep. The Bliss paper was cut into two pieces 11.5" x 3" and 11.5" x 8.25", I placed them side by side with narrower piece flipped over to the B side. The edges were all distressed, and before sticking them down I used some left over papers from the previous layouts to make a decorative strip along the join between both pieces...

... I tore the edge of the scrap of Joy paper with the music note side up. then with A border punch I used the remainder of the Layers in Lilac paper to make a lacy trim. At this point all these pieces were stick into place.

I printed five small photos, and mounted them onto some white card, I inked the edges and arranged them across the page.

Next for the embellishments and title - I chose the Spellbinders Say Cheese Classic Mouse - Die Set to cut the title letters twice, once from scraps of Velvet Bazzill and secondly from scraps of Lazy Afternoon paper. These were inked and layered, then added to the layout. 

I used a few of the phrases from the P13 sticker sheet provided in the kit, to add some relevant words to the left of the title. From the kit, I also used a few of the Dreamer Foam Stickers and the ribbon. I tied the ribbon into a bow and attached it to the bottom of the large foam sticker with a small decorative pin.  

The Little Birdie butterfly and flowers, together with the Simple & Basic Dots, were all usde to finish off the page.

Henry Charles Edwards - I love this Mintay Papers - Man Cave collection - #5 paper, from the April kit. I wanted to use it for a masculine layout using my new Vault Watch Gears Sizzix die set. I decided to scrap this photo of my husband's grandfather.

The background for this layout is the sheet of Date Swirl Bazzill, across which I layered torn strips of the Man Cave #5 paper. Leaving the cardstock showing above and below the paper.

I cut myself some frames from card and chipboard using the Stitched Rectangles Sizzix Die Set. I covered the largest of these in more scraps of #5 paper and distressed then inked the edges. I used this to frame my photo. 

With a mix of Distress inks and water, I coloured some watercolour paper, then just before it was completely dry I ran it through the Sizzix machine in a A6 Sizzix 3-D Texture Fades Folder - Numbered. Once dry, I lightly sprayed with some Distress Mica Sprays. I also rubbed in a little gilding wax to highlight the numbers. Then I cut this piece to fit into two of my frames. 

I made the pocket watch using more of the card scraps used for the frames, some black Bazzill and a scrap of the #5 paper. Embossing enamel was used to add texture and an aged metallic effect to the outer watch case. I built up the layers including the numbers and a layer of acetate for the glass. I also used a brad to hold the hands in place in the watch centre. I attached a small chain to the handle, and anchored this to the page with another brad. I placed the finished watch next to the photo, layered up with some 3D foam. 

I made a small oval frame and backed it with a scrap of Lazy Afternoon paper. Then with more numbers cut from the same die set, I added the birth and death date.

I found some elements, left over from a 49 and Market Krafty Garden Acetate Assortment. I selected a leaf branch and film strips to add to the layout. I also had some tickets and stamps left over from a previous Papermaze kit. 

The title was cut on the Cricut, from more of the card scraps I used earlier, and this was placed to the bottom right of the page.

That's all from the April kit, although I still have papers, cardstock and embellishments left to use. 
Thanks for looking.
Lynn x