Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Field Day Scrapbooking Pocket Pages Layout

Hi everyone. I'm challenging myself to create more pocket pages. I just love creating these since each piece is like a mini blank canvas. Plus, they’re great for inserting these into albums when you have lots of photos you want to use to tell a story. This particular spread is all about field day at my daughter’s school.
 

 
Supplies | September 2018 KitGo Team Journaling TagsCelebrate Journaling TagsLittle Photo Flag StickersHere and Now StickersHazel Alphabet Stickers — WhiteJane Alphabet Stickers — NavyGo Team Wood VeneerWood Veneer PhrasesABC Wood VeneerWhite Puffy Alphabet StickersBlack Puffy Alphabet StickersHello Happy Puffy WordsPuffy Heart Stickers — Spring MixPuffy Heart Stickers — Summer MixStory AcrylicHazel Alphabet StampFamily Fun Puffy StickersFamily Fun — 6 x 6 Paper Stack
 
I chose to use four 4″x6″ photos and four 2″x3″ photos.  To get started with this double pocket page, I placed my photos around the page to see what I was working with and then grounded it by opening the page with a blue 4″x6″ tag from the September 2018 Kit and ending with another blue 4″x6″ tag that I created with a pattern from the Family Fun 6″ x 6″ Paper Stack. Once that was set, I was off to work on page one.
 

 
Our field days are split into some partner activities and commences with team activities.  I chose to create the spread as such. For this page, I chose to focus on photos that told more of the story of my daughter and how much she loved the experience. This is all about the story of field day and the Story Acrylic made for a perfect title along with some White Puffy Alphabet Stickers and Jane Alphabet Stickers in navy.  I added bits from the September 2018 Kit die cuts and the Wood Veneer Phrases to add a bit of extra character to the tag.
 

 
I added the word FUN using the Family Fun Puffy Stickers. The Hazel Alphabet Stamp was calling to be used, so I stamped words that made sense to follow “Fun”—fun day, fun times, fun friends!  The Hazel stamps stamp so nice and clean, but I chose to use distress ink to give it a grungy look, since we were playing outside in the dirt and water most of the day!
 

 
Next, I pulled in the pink and darker pink diagonal card from the September 2018 Kit. It’s pre-printed with “TODAY IS” and then there’s a great spot to write, type or stamp in an open space, but I chose to use the Hazel Alphabet Stickers to say “today is awesome.” Lastly on this page, I chose the colorful, dotted 4″x6″ tag from the September 2018 Kit and using the Hello Happy Puffy Words, I added “you are,” above the label and then added what I think about this photo of her pouring water on herself on this very hot—way too cute!  I used the navy Jane Alphabet Stickers again, which were a perfect fit in the label.
 

 
Moving to the next page, I chose to focus the photos on all the teamwork part of field day. These are the highlights of her class and how hard they worked for their victory.
 

 
The banner tag from the Celebrate Journaling Tags I used here was perfect for this spread!  They resembled sports pennants, so I added her teacher’s name below using Black Puffy Alphabet Stickers, and their team name along with a die cut banner from the September 2018 Kit .  For the tag below, I chose the “game on” tag from the Go Team Journaling Tags and popped up a banner die cut below, leaving room for journaling.
 

 
Next, I hard a nice open space in the field part of the photo of my daughter practicing. I added Hazel Alphabet Stickers to fill in that open space, reading “practice makes perfect.” Then to coordinate with the colorful polka dot tag on the other page, I included another one on this side with a slightly different design.  This could easily serve as another journaling spot, but I chose to embellish with the Go Team Wood VeneerLittle Photo Flag StickersHere and Now Phrase Stickers and a few puffy embellishments that coordinated with the colors of the card.
 
Thanks so much for joining me today.  I hope you have an amazing day!

Friday, August 24, 2018

Goals and Dreams Bullet Journal

Today I’m sharing a goals and dreams bullet journal I created for my daughter who begins her first day of high school Monday.  My idea for this was to create a way for her to document ideas about what she hopes her future holds.  I may even add a few of my own thoughts for her future.  I think it would be fun to include this in a time capsule with other things from her childhood.
Goals and Dreams Bullet Journal by @HeatherLeopard using the @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife collection #madewithPebbles #BulletJournal #goals #dreams
I thought the llama paper was not only fun but I often say, “save the drama for your llama” and we all know high school can be full of drama.  Perhaps this will turn into a way for her to journal that right out of her system. Ha!
Goals and Dreams Bullet Journal by @HeatherLeopard using the @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife collection #madewithPebbles #BulletJournal #goals #dreams
So the first thing I did was cover a Traveler’s Notebook with the adorable little llamas from the My Bright Life collection.  I think they’re so adorable striking their poses with the flowers in their hair. Soo cute. To cover this, I applied Sticky Thumb tape runner to the cover of the notebook and then laid it down on the back of the paper. Then I applied adhesive to the spine and the back cover and folded the paper over leaving paper hanging slightly over on the front and a bit more on the back. Same for the top and bottom.  I did this because if you trim the paper to what you think the measurements are for the notebook, odds are you’ll be just a bit off.  It’s much easier to do it this way and then trim around the edges with scissors. Trust me on that one.
Goals and Dreams Bullet Journal by @HeatherLeopard using the @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife collection #madewithPebbles #BulletJournal #goals #dreams
I knew what I wanted for the main theme of the journal to be but we’ll get to that in a moment.  I also wanted to add some inspiring words and the 2″ x 3″ cut apart cards in the 6″ x 6″ paper pad had exactly what I wanted. I just needed to choose which one I loved the most.
Goals and Dreams Bullet Journal by @HeatherLeopard using the @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife collection #madewithPebbles #BulletJournal #goals #dreams
“You Can Totally Do This” was it so I cut that one out and adhered it with some foam adhesive over a dark contrasting patterned paper.  I used the same colors and flowers as the llama and her pretty little flowers.
Goals and Dreams Bullet Journal by @HeatherLeopard using the @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife collection #madewithPebbles #BulletJournal #goals #dreams
Now it’s time to go back to my main theme, “MAKE IT HAPPEN”. I love that you are in charge of your destiny and it’s all up to you to make it happen. I used gold foam Thickers and placed them over the flowers. Then I decided we needed more gold so I added a layer of gold plaid patterned paper.
Goals and Dreams Bullet Journal by @HeatherLeopard using the @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife collection #madewithPebbles #BulletJournal #goals #dreams
It’s time to put it all together. I used tape runner adhesive again and left enough room on the edges to hang over just slightly and then just trimmed it up with scissors again.
Goals and Dreams Bullet Journal by @HeatherLeopard using the @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife collection #madewithPebbles #BulletJournal #goals #dreams
So there you have it.  I also sprinkled additional 2″ x 2″ and 2″ x 3″ notecards, die cuts and small puffy stickers to some of the inside pages.  I’ll make sure to include more embellishments and papers in the package when I give this goals and dreams bullet journal to her so she can decorate the inside pages.
xoxo, Heather
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Wednesday, August 8, 2018

School Lunch Notes

Hi everyone. With the first day of school just 3 weeks away, I’m getting a jump start on school lunch prep.  No, I’m not prepping the actual meals because that would be just gross; I’m talking about school lunch notes.  I don’t care how old your kids are, including a little note in their lunch kit will make their day!
School Lunch Notes by @HeatherLeopard using @pebblesinc #MyBrightLife collection #backtoschool #lunchnotes #cards #card
I don’t care how old your kids are, including a little note in their lunch kit will make their day! Shoot, maybe I’ll make my own lunch notes. Just kidding, kind of.
School Lunch Notes by @HeatherLeopard using @pebblesinc #MyBrightLife collection #backtoschool #lunchnotes #cards #card
I knew that I was going to use the 2″ x 3″ cards so I downloaded a Silhouette file and sized it so that the notes would perfectly fit in them.  I was able to cut multiple of these at a time which sped up the process.  You could also make these without a machine pretty easily.  Just apply a bit of adhesive to the edges, fold over and you’ve got your pocket.
School Lunch Notes by @HeatherLeopard using @pebblesinc #MyBrightLife collection #backtoschool #lunchnotes #cards #card
There’s also this little flap that you can fold down. You can tuck these in or out depending on your mood.  I folded most of mine out like you see pictured above and look how the flowers align so well.
School Lunch Notes by @HeatherLeopard using @pebblesinc #MyBrightLife collection #backtoschool #lunchnotes #cards #card
Next, add a simply embellishment to the front of the card.  You could also add a sentiment but then again, the sentiment is in the lunch note, right?
School Lunch Notes by @HeatherLeopard using @pebblesinc #MyBrightLife collection #backtoschool #lunchnotes #cards #card
The cards I chose were from the 6″ x 6″ paper pad, which was great because the backs were white. That’s perfect for adding a personal note to each of them. I also added a small puffy sticker or two to each note. It just needed a little pop of something.
School Lunch Notes by @HeatherLeopard using @pebblesinc #MyBrightLife collection #backtoschool #lunchnotes #cards #card
Once the personal note is written, just insert the card in the pocket and stash them away so you have them ready to go when you pack their lunches.  I think I’ll make or alter a cute little box to store these in…
School Lunch Notes by @HeatherLeopard using @pebblesinc #MyBrightLife collection #backtoschool #lunchnotes #cards #card
So there you have it. School Lunch Notes ready to go.  Super fun and super easy!
xoxo, Heather
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Monday, July 23, 2018

Embroidered Scrapbooking Layout | Challenge Yourself

Hi everyone, this week over on the Pebbles blog is all about challenging ourselves. I went about tackling this by doing something relatively new to me – Mixed Media – and something I LOVE to do but never make the time to do – Hand Stitching.  Take a look at this embroidered scrapbooking layout and then keep reading to see how it all came together.
Embroidered Patterned Paper Scrapbooking by @HeatherLeopard using @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife collection #scrapbooking #sewing #mixedmedia #papercrafts #scrapbook #embroidery
As you can see, I did not shy away from this challenge. I just fell in love with the floral patterned paper and absolutely HAD to create an embroidered scrapbooking layout.
Embroidered Patterned Paper Scrapbooking by @HeatherLeopard using @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife collection #scrapbooking #sewing #mixedmedia #papercrafts #scrapbook #embroidery
To get started, I trimmed the upper right and lower left triangles of my layout. If I had been machine stitching a pattern, I would normally have stitched the entire thing but I knew I didn’t want to embroider something that I would have to cut apart. I added a small cluster of die cut flowers and a wood embellishment to the top portion of the layout.  Just a little since the embroidered patterned paper was quite busy enough.
Embroidered Patterned Paper Scrapbooking by @HeatherLeopard using @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife collection #scrapbooking #sewing #mixedmedia #papercrafts #scrapbook #embroidery
This is the lower half. As you can see, I spent way too many hours poking holes and threading the needle doing what I refer to as a regular stitch and french knots. If you are thinking about doing this, I suggest finding a comfy spot of the couch and binge watching your favorite show. Or if you have a road trip (and your the passenger) or a long flight.
Embroidered Patterned Paper Scrapbooking by @HeatherLeopard using @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife collection #scrapbooking #sewing #mixedmedia #papercrafts #scrapbook #embroidery
I added two photos to the layout. I was originally going to tuck them both under the pretty embroidered patterned paper so I wouldn’t have to cover any of it up but it didn’t look right so I tucked one under and another over. That’s when it felt right!  I also added some layers of patterned paper and vellum and die cuts, 3D stickers and regular stickers.
Embroidered Patterned Paper Scrapbooking by @HeatherLeopard using @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife collection #scrapbooking #sewing #mixedmedia #papercrafts #scrapbook #embroidery
Oh, the mixed media…I added white gesso to the yellow patterned paper background and then applied watered down mist to the gesso. I just needed to soften up the background slightly and add a few pops of color. All I need to do now is add my journaling – private words to my daughters will be written on those lines above!
Embroidered Patterned Paper Scrapbooking by @HeatherLeopard using @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife collection #scrapbooking #sewing #mixedmedia #papercrafts #scrapbook #embroidery
There you have it – my labor of love, literally and figuratively!  I hope you have enjoyed seeing how I challenged myself this month and hope you will try something just a bit outside of your comfort zone very soon!
xoxo, Heather
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Friday, July 13, 2018

Hawaiian Luau Party Decor

Aloha everyone, I'm here and with summer fully upon us here in the States, I’ve been daydreaming about Hawaii. I figured why not throw a little Hawaiian party on a random Friday?!?!
Aloha Luau Party by @HeatherLeopard @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife #aloha #madewithpebbles #hawaiian #luau #party #pineapple #luauparty #partydecor #giftbag #goodybag
The new My Bright Life collection has the perfect mix of colors to pull this Hawaiian Luau Party off. The decor I created includes garland I cut and strung, cupcake holders and toppers to resemble a pineapple and a few goody bags. Let’s take a look at how it came together

Lei inspired garland

Aloha Luau Party by @HeatherLeopard @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife #aloha #madewithpebbles #hawaiian #luau #party #pineapple #luauparty #partydecor #giftbag #goodybag
The backdrop features a lei inspired garland. To get this look, I cut plumeria flowers out of two different patterned papers as well as palm leaves in two different sizes and then large yellow circles. I created 7 garland strips each containing 10 pieces (a mix of flowers, leaves and circles). Once I had 10 pieces for each strand, I ran them through my sewing machine with a straight stitched until I got to the end. I repeated that process 6 more times.

Pineapple cupcakes

Aloha Luau Party by @HeatherLeopard @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife #aloha #madewithpebbles #hawaiian #luau #party #pineapple #luauparty #partydecor #giftbag #goodybag
So I cheated with store bought cupcakes and they’re a mix of chocolate and vanilla – not pineapple but I dressed them up as pineapples.  Using a cut file I purchased, I simply cut cupcake wrappers and pineapple toppers using my electronic die cut machine.
Aloha Luau Party by @HeatherLeopard @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife #aloha #madewithpebbles #hawaiian #luau #party #pineapple #luauparty #partydecor #giftbag #goodybag
The wrappers have little cuts in them and when you bend them back slightly, it resembles a pineapple.
Aloha Luau Party by @HeatherLeopard @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife #aloha #madewithpebbles #hawaiian #luau #party #pineapple #luauparty #partydecor #giftbag #goodybag
Aloha Luau Party by @HeatherLeopard @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife #aloha #madewithpebbles #hawaiian #luau #party #pineapple #luauparty #partydecor #giftbag #goodybag
The pineapple toppers can be inserted right into the icing. So easy and oh so cute!

Goody Bags

Aloha Luau Party by @HeatherLeopard @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife #aloha #madewithpebbles #hawaiian #luau #party #pineapple #luauparty #partydecor #giftbag #goodybag
Since Hawaii is known as the rainbow state and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo`ole is one of my all time favorite songs, I made Rainbow tags for the goody bags.
Aloha Luau Party by @HeatherLeopard @PebblesInc #MyBrightLife #aloha #madewithpebbles #hawaiian #luau #party #pineapple #luauparty #partydecor #giftbag #goodybag
They are cut into squares and feature a scallop circle and “Mahalo”, the Hawaiian word for Thank You. I decided to add some palm leaves and a flowers as well.
I hope this mini Hawaiian Luau party I am hosting for my girls this weekend has you daydreaming of Hawaii as well.
Mahalo,
Heather
Supplies:
My Bright Life Stitched Flowers Patterned Paper(733859)
My Bright Life Field of Flowers Patterned Paper (733879)
My Bright Life Bright Stripes Patterned Paper (733869)
My Bright Life Flower Rows Patterned Paper (733862)
My Bright Life Fresh Picked Patterned Paper (733875)
My Bright Life 12×12 Paper Pad

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Time Saver Tips | Butterflies Scrapbooking Layout

Hi everyone. Heather Leopard is here with a multi-dimensional butterflies scrapbooking layout! This was super fun and it was super easy to put together. While it was relatively quick to create in about an hour to an hour and a half, the speed scrappers could forgo the multiple layers and sewing and really whip this out quickly. Let’s take a look and I’ll share some TIME SAVER TIPS…
Dream Big Butterfly scrapbooking layout by @HeatherLeopard using @PebblesInc #PatioParty collection #madewithpebbles #scrapbooking #scrapbook #butterfly #dreambig #paigeevans
To make this layout really come to life, this butterflies scrapbooking page includes mixed media, a die cut, layers of die cut “fillers” and machine stitching!

Let’s get started

I knew the page was going to be slightly busy so I chose a patterned paper background that was a bit more simple.  I wanted to wash it out just a bit more so I applied white gesso. Once dry, I added teal and gold mist that I sprayed and dabbed around the page using plastic packaging material. TIME SAVER TIP: skip this step and save on drying time. Just make sure to avoid a busy background for a more appealing design.
Dream Big Butterfly scrapbooking layout by @HeatherLeopard using @PebblesInc #PatioParty collection #madewithpebbles #scrapbooking #scrapbook #butterfly #dreambig #paigeevans
While the background dried, I cut the butterfly cut file from Paige Evans out of white cardstock. Although it’s quite subtle, I applied clear gesso and pink spray to the white butterfly cardstock once it was cut out. While that was drying, I disassembled the cut file and cut the inside “fillers” out of multiple patterned papers. I cut double the amount needed so I could double layer many of them, as seen in the photo above. TIME SAVER TIP: save time by not adding the additional gesso over the die cut and only cutting one layer of butterflies.
Dream Big Butterfly scrapbooking layout by @HeatherLeopard using @PebblesInc #PatioParty collection #madewithpebbles #scrapbooking #scrapbook #butterfly #dreambig #paigeevans
I applied the butterfly cut file only in the middle because I wanted the cut file to lift up here and there. I knew I’d be stitching over it soon enough anyway.  I then added the butterflies to the background with just a little dab of liquid adhesive so they’d stay in place in the sewing machine. I stitched each and every butterfly; some as a straight stitch and others with a zig zag. TIME SAVER TIP: adhere the butterflies with more adhesive and skip the sewing.
Dream Big Butterfly scrapbooking layout by @HeatherLeopard using @PebblesInc #PatioParty collection #madewithpebbles #scrapbooking #scrapbook #butterfly #dreambig #paigeevans
Lift the butterfly wings up to reveal the multiple levels. The butterfly cut file lifts ever so slightly, then the bottom wing lifts to reveal the background pattern and the top wings lift to reveal the lower wings! I suggest adding foam adhesive under the wings to keep them popped up.
Dream Big Butterfly scrapbooking layout by @HeatherLeopard using @PebblesInc #PatioParty collection #madewithpebbles #scrapbooking #scrapbook #butterfly #dreambig #paigeevans
Next, I added my photo. I kept layers around it to a minimum because hello….butterfly layers galore! Then I finished it off with a title, a few more butterflies here and there around the page and journaling.
Dream Big Butterfly scrapbooking layout by @HeatherLeopard using @PebblesInc #PatioParty collection #madewithpebbles #scrapbooking #scrapbook #butterfly #dreambig #paigeevans
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed this butterflies scrapbooking layout and the TIME SAVER TIPS I shared today!
xoxo, Heather
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