Sweet Generosity

Hi everyone.  Just sharing another layout I created for my guest gig with Just Nick.  If you haven't spied her cut files yet, what are you waiting for???

I love butterflies on a scrapbook page so when I saw this butterfly cut file I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

My little girl recently cut about 10” of hair to donate and I really wanted to document this incredibly sweet act of kindness.  It just so happened that she was wearing a butterfly dress and it just so happened that the new Pinkfresh Happy Things coordinated so well and Nicole’s butterfly file was just begging to be used.

To create this layout, I cut the file out of white cardstock. I hand stitched the background to the pattern paper using white embroidery floss and then I cut the file again offsetting it so it would cut the butterflies smaller than the original. I wanted to be able to see the pattern paper around the butterflies.

I used watercolors around the stitched edges to accentuate the colors in the background paper. I painted right over the white embroidery floss so that it would dye the floss.  Once dried, I adhered the butterflies to the page, added my photo, title and embellishments.  I will journal her story later this week once I get my thoughts together on what I think of her generosity.

Make sure to swing on over to the Just Nick blog to get your freebie of the cut file she created for the layout last week.  I used it to recreate the mermaid look but it's so versatile, it can be a great background for anything! It's only free until the end of this month so get over there quick.

Always a Mermaid

Hello everyone!  I'm excited to show you this project today.  My dear friend, Nicole, asked me to guest for her cut file store, Just Nick. Loving her cut files the way I do, I jumped at the opportunity!  And when she told me she'd be giving away a FREEBIE file of my choice, I immediately knew what I wanted to do!

My littlest has wanted to be a mermaid for as long as I remember.  From Halloween to pretending in the pool to being buried in the sand in the shape of a mermaid so I just knew a mermaid inspired cut file was needed.

It’s inevitable every year that we go to the beach, Little Miss asks to be buried in the sand so she can pretend she’s a mermaid.  She often makes little ocean friends, like crabs and turtle out of sand to pretend with. When Nicole asked said she’d design a free cut file of my choice I knew it had to be ocean themed and the scales were PERFECTION.  I chose to use the background for 2/3 of my page, leaving the top 1/3 more simple to help balance the page.

I chose a more labor intensive design for this page but the great thing about background cut files is that you can back it with one or many patterns. I used papers from a 6”x6” paper pad with smaller patterns to fill in the scales.  I simply laid the paper behind the background cut file, traced around the outer cut, hand cut each piece and then adhered it to the back. Then I added photos, embellishments, the title and a cute little quote about being a mermaid.

Remember how I said this cut file was a FREEBIE??? Head over to the Just Nick blog right now. Don't wait and download the file before it's gone.  This is a limited time only offer.  OH! Tell her Heather sent you! 

I created another layout using her butterfly background which I'll have her on my blog in a few days.  It's on the Just Nick blog now in case you want to see how I used that file to create a special layout about this same little sweetie!

Thanks Nicole for having me.  Let's do it again!

Stop and Smell the Roses

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of http://americancrafts.typepad.com/.  I do receive financial compensation and material product from American Crafts to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

Instagram is my favorite go-to app for staying connected with friends, family and people from around the world with the same interests. I enjoy sharing my DIY, craft and scrapbook projects with you all there while also documenting my family’s everyday moments so when Paige asked me to create a layout featuring Instagram photos, I knew finding the perfect photo would not be hard. And the new Dear Lizzy Documentary collection is perfection for the photo I chose.

Download and cut out your favorite background cut file and choose one where the outer perimeter somewhat resembles a circle. I chose the rosette background cut file from my friend, Just Nick.

Choose various pattern papers to back the different cuts and adhere to the page. Hand or machine stitch a large circle around the outside of your new background.

Add 2 – 3 layers of coordinating pattern paper behind your photo, layering in tags, labels, tickets, etc. and adhere to the bottom left of the page. Next, add your title and journaling and finish off the page with the remaining embellishments.

Supplies: Dear Lizzy Documentary collection: (340294) – Me & You Paper, (340296) – Confetti Paper, (340302) – Blossom Paper, (340303) – Fresh Start Paper, (340305) – Fancy Free Paper, (340307) – Snail Mail Paper, (340316) – Dreamer Paper, (340205) - Cork Bows, (340204) - Die-cut cardstock shapes, (340203) - Rub-on transfer sheets, (340207) - Wood buttons, (340200) – Accent & Phrase Stickers, (340199) – Snapshots Thickers; Cut file from JustNick

What Matters Most

The beginning of the month brings a new Gossamer Blue kit.  The September kits are going down as one of my faves.  I know I say that a lot, which is a testament to Lori's amazing skills at putting kits together.  I especially love the Crate Paper Wonder and the Pinkfresh Happy Things that fill this kit.  See what I created with the goods and then head over to the shop to get your kits before they are gone.

Here's what I created with the Main Kit only....

The patterns on the paper made it super easy to create this layout. It practically made itself!

I just added some stitching, a few sayings, embellishments and of course my photo and some misting.  It seriously came together so quick - between work and dinner!  I'll take these kinds of layouts every day!

I used Main kit to create this layout:

Visit the Gossamer Blue store to view the add-ons before they are all SOLD OUT!

100 Wishes

The ladies over at Bella Blvd challenged me to create a layout based on the Pinterest inspired image shown HERE.

I embraced the feathers from the image and incorporated them as the key feature (aside from my photo) into my design using them as a border across the page.

I focused in on how the feathers were layered over each other. I also stitched over them like in the Pinterest image. I simply cut a dozen small feathers out of various pattern papers, layered them in different directions overlapping each other and stitched them across the page.

I added the photo and its layers of coordinating pattern paper, a title and several embellishments to complete the page. I love the background paper for many reasons but especially the wonky lines which were great for journaling.

So that's how I was "PINspired" by the image above.  Head over to the Bella Blvd blog to see how it inspired the other talented ladies.

Summer Mini Album and Free Download

Summertime is so fun here in the Leopard house. It's filled with swimming, camps, trips, reading and a ton of fun so I thought it'd be great to make a mini album to document the highlights and tell our stories. I'm offering a free download to recreate one for your summer adventures.

How to:

Step 1: I created this 4" x 6" mini album with the help of my Silhouette software and CAMEO. You can DOWNLOAD the cut file HERE. Cut your cover out of pattern paper and set aside.

Step 2: Cut 3 - 4 pieces of pattern paper for the inside pages of the book.  This is included in the cut file so it's all pre-measured. Stack them on top of each other, making sure the patterns are in the right directions. Upside down hearts are cute and all but I prefer mine right side up.

Step 3: Stitch the cover to the inside pages. Again, make sure the cover and pages are all in the same direction.  Add a strip of paper to the cover if you prefer.

Step 4: Embellish the inside with sentiments, frames, accordion pull-outs so you can include many photos on one small page, etc.

Supplies: Rise & Shine collection: (370000) – Rachel Paper, (370002) – Kylie Paper, (370008) – Stella Paper, (370011) – Lucy Paper, (370017) – Samantha Paper, (370038) – Bits Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, (370032) – Remarks Accent & Phrase Stickers, (370034) – Remarks Epoxy Stickers, (370035) – Remarks Alpha Stickers, (370045) – Ticket Memo Pad, (370054) – Chipboard Frames

Sunkissed Summer

Howdy friends! Welcome to the (oh so hot) August blog hop with the Gossamer Blue design team.
We are asked each  month to create a project using only the Main kit. I love how each designer creates something so unique with the same kit.  Here's my take using the Main kit only.

I took this photo at the beginning of summer on a road trip at a wall near a gas station of all places.  I just couldn't resist snapping a few photos while daddy pumped the gas.

Make sure to head over to the Gossamer Blue store and grab any August kits that may be remaining.  And be on the lookout for September kits.  I have mine and it's AMAZING!

Now, head on over to Jill Cornell!

My Sweet Forever

I sure do love my patterns and I especially love repeating them over, and over and over again. So when I received a box from American Crafts full of their latest collections, I was in Heaven, so to speak!

My first assignment was to work with the Documentary collection.  I'm loving the new color palette but I especially like all the geometric elements of it. I decided to embrace them and created this sweet layout.

How to:

1. Cut six of your favorite circle patterns from the Confetti paper and set them aside.
2. Print 3 photos and cut them into a circle in 3 different sizes - 3", 2.5" and 2".
3. Select 3 tags from the Minc tags included in this collection.  If you have a Minc, use different colors of foil for them all.
4. Arrange your pattern circles, photos, tags and rosettes on the page, making sure many of them overlap each other.
5. Next, hand stitch around the pattern circles.
6. Add a title using a combination of Thickers and die-cuts and even leftover bits from the foil resist.
7. Once everything is in place, add mist and embellishments, like puffy stickers, die cuts, rub-ons.

Supplies: Documentary collection: (340296) - Confetti paper, (340305) - Fancy Free paper, (340206) - Rosettes, (340204) - Dir-cut cardstock shapes, (340201) - Puffy stickers, (340203) - Rub-on transfer sheets, (340207) - Wood buttons, (340205) - Cork Bows, (340202) - Desktop puffy letter stickers, (340217) - Min Tags, Minc foils: (369980) - Teal, (369973) - Gold, (369982) - Hot Pink

Sweet Summer Treats | PageMaps Sketch

Hello friends.  I went out of pocket some some downtime and a much needed vacation with my family but I am back and wanted to talk about the Gossamer Blue August kit and a special feature we did with PageMaps.

I created this fun little layout about the delicious shaved ice from Matsumoto's store on Hawaii's North Shore. Several members of the Gossamer Blue team had the opportunity to work with Becky Fleck's PageMaps. Being one of the lucky ones, this was based off of her sketch, which can be HERE, along with 9 other great sketches.

The August Gossamer Blue kits are some of my favorite ones. You can still pick some of them up but they are selling out fast so scurry on over there.

August Main kit

August Life Pages kit

Add-On #3

LP Themed Add-on

LP Main Add-On

Bits + Pieces

All the Essentials at My Fingertips

Oh my goodness! Have you SEEN the new American Crafts Desktop Essentials collection??? Clipboards, designers prints, pencils, adhesive, ribbon, fun little erasers, clothespins, and even more fabulous goodies.  

I have so many ideas for this new line but for today's post, I went with something a little more functional in my day to day life. Of course, now I need more of these babies for things I want to do in my bathroom, my kids’ rooms, my craft room. Sigh…

I’ve been on-the-go a lot this summer so I wanted to make something that would  be easy to grab and go at a moment’s notice. From the clipboard to the journals to the essentials needed to make lists, take lots of notes, and document my family’s adventures, this has everything I need bundled as one.

How to:

1. Select your favorite designer print, paper, journals, books, mini albums, etc. and stack them all together on your favorite Desktop Essentials clipboard. 
2. Select coordinating ribbon and 1 1/2 - 2" wide elastic. 
3. Wrap the elastic around the books and clipboard nice and tight. Subtract approximately 1 - 2" and cut the elastic.  Wrap it around again to make sure it will be nice and secure when stitched together. If it's too loose, the books will slide right out.
4. Stitch the ends together from the inside so you don't see the seam.
5. Measure your ribbon while the elastic is stretched to determine how much ribbon to use.  I wanted to see the gold elastic on each side so I cut mine shorter.  
6. Stitch the ribbon to the stretched band.  I did this by putting the elastic back on the clipboard over the books and marking each side where I wanted the ribbon to end.
7. Tip: it will look loose when you are stitching it because the elastic won't be stretched out.
8. Next, add stitching for pens, erasers, etc.
9. Once you have stitched the ribbon to the elastic band and created your spots to hold the items, wrap it around your books and/or journals.
10. Secure all the elements together on the clipboard and in your custom band.

I want to be able to journal, I want to scrap in the 52 week journal, and I want to have items for my kids to draw on so I included glue, scissors, pens and pencils, funky erasers, even confetti!

You can add additional embellishments to the clipboard to customize it even more to your liking. Now I have everything I need, along with my portable printer for all my on-the-go documenting needs.

Supplies: Desktop Essentials collection:  (340007) foil and printed erasers, (340009) boxed erasers, (340020) 7x10 journal, (340263) double-sided super sticky red tape – ¼ in, (340264) double-sided super sticky red tape – ½ in, (340268) 2-way glue pen, (340276) sticky dots 0.5 in raised, (340282) splat mat, (340440-1) premium ribbon .375in x 4 yd., (340445-1) premium ribbon .625in x 4 yd., (340454-1) premium ribbon 1.5in x 3 yd., (340532) washi tape, (370795) designer prints, (370800) craft scissors (gold), (370807) gold and mint clipboard, (370818) patterned clothespins, (370824) jumbo hearts paper clips, (370836) pattern pencils, (370837) pattern pencils, (370838) pattern pencils; Fine & Dandy collection: (370134) – Spiral Bound 52 Week Journal, (370097) – Colorful Confetti, (370096) – Plastic Bows, (370099) – Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, (370070) – Pretty Packages Paper