Happy Arty Days: American Crafts

Showing posts with label American Crafts. Show all posts

Hip Kit Club: July 2020 Hip Kits - Card Trio

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for some Hip Kit Club July 2020 Kits inspiration!

Today I am sharing a super sweet card trio with the stunning July 2020 Main & Embellishment Kits! My DT assignment was to create cards that included stamping, stitching & fussy cutting, yay! So.much.fun! I love to get a lil inky & couldn't resist focusing on the

Hip Kit Club Exclusive, "Bring On The Sunshine" 3 x 3 Stamp!

This stamp set is so versatile and perfect for all kinds of crafty projects, but enough chatter, here's what I came up with......

Oh my heart! Could they get any sweeter?!! And talk about focusing on the Bring on the Sunshine stamp - wow! That tiny lil stamp has made a very big debut on this card trio! Creating your own custom pattern papers from stamps is such a fun, easy & effective technique to incorporate more stamping into your creating.

To keep my cards looking like a coordinating set I maintained a similar design & focal point. Each card features a foam mounted, stamped & machine stitched background with a dominant Crate Paper: Maggie Holmes Sweet Story Delights Dimensional Embellishment (rosette) in the bottom left hand side. I embellished each card with a Simple Stories: Kate&Ash Chipboard Sticker. For the fussy cutting element, I used florals from the Pebbles: Jen Hadfield Hey Hello: Happy Day paper on each card too! Other than these key design elements, each card has it's own unique look and feel. Let's take a closer look...

Sigh! Sooooo pretty! Shades of pink with mint & teal is a favorite color scheme of mine, and I just had to use them for these sweet cards! I selected larger blooms from the fussy cut Happy Day paper, as well as some of the Echo Park Paper: Dive Into Summer Enamel Dotsto adorn these cards. Here's a close up view of them...

So sweet!

To create the card base, I trimmed the Pink Paislee: Any Many More paper #11to 8" x 6", and scored down the 4" mark to create a 4" x 6" card. On a 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" sheet of smooth white cardstock, I repeat stamped the camera icon in mint colored stamping ink & machine stitched around the edges. I foam mounted this pretty camera cardstock onto my card base to create some extra dimension and interest. I glued the large fussy cut bloom into place, and then layered the Sweet Story rosette in the left hand corner. The Kate&Ash Chipboard Stickerswere the perfect addition for my card sentiments, and the soft pink Enamel Dots completed the card. Simple, but oh-so-lovely!

I used the same approach for this darling card, only this time I used the B side of the gorgeous Dear Lizzy: Here & Now Hot, Hot, Hot paper for the base. I repeat stamped the picture perfect stamp in black ink, and added a few different embellishments. You'll spot the Pink Paislee: 5th & Monaco Mixed Embellishment sequins, as well as one of theSweet Story Sticker Book stickers - both from the July 2020 Embellishment Kit. So cool!

This card is actually my favorite from the trio - the rich, warm yellow stamped background makes me feel so happy! That Sun Shine stamp is errrrything!!! I used the same design principles as my two previous cards, but this time I opted for tiny fussy cut florals, with a larger Chipboard Sticker bloom instead. The Sweet Story butterfly sticker is a cute addition to this bright & happy card. Love it!

And there you have it!

Simple, easy to create, but oh-so-pretty cards made with the gorgeous July 2020 Hip Kits!

I hope you'll give stamped, stitched and fussy cut featured cards a try!

Be sure to share them with us in the Hip Kit Club Facebook Group HERE - I can't wait to see what you'll create!

Thanks so much for visiting,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Hip Kit Club: Sew Beauti-Fall Thank You Cards!

Hi Lovelies!

Welcome back for more Hip Kit Club inspiration!

Today I am celebrating World Card Making Day!

Ok, so I'm a few days late, but that's ok - belated cards & warm wishes are always well received!

I mean, who doesn't love the opening their mail box to find something beautifully handcrafted inside? The September 2019 Hip Kits are perfect for creating such gorgeous treasures!

For today's inspirational post I've created a pretty trio of Thank You cards.

They're totally inspired by the beautiful HKC October mood board, courtesy of the lovely Sophie Delorme.

If you haven't seen this month's mood board, it's a stunner & looks like this....

SO gorgeous!!!

A truly magnificent array of images to spark & ignite your creativity!

Thank You & Gratitude cards instantly came to my mind - but enough chatter, let's take a look at them....

Sew Beauti-Fall Card Trio

Sew beauti-Fall, indeed!

Aren't they just the prettiest?!

I love the use of sewn details, buttons, & lace on my cards. They really enhance the hand made nature of the cards, and create a bespoke feel! Don't get me wrong, mass produced printed cards are always appreciated but nothing expresses gratitude and thankfulness than your time and attention to detail.

Card making is such a beautiful form of art!

For this card set, I used a mix of the September 2019 Main, Embellishment & Cardstock Kits. The cards all measure 4" x 6" and include the fabulous Pebbles: This Is Family collection, Fun Times, pattern paper as their main image. This paper really reminded me of the mood board, plus it had the added bonus of cut apart 3" x 4" note cards that all encompassed the grateful theme.

Perfect for the upcoming Fall & Thanksgiving season!

Here's a closer look at these pretty cards....

So very pretty!

I LOVE a good plaid pattern (esp. for Fall!), and the Pretty Little Studio Indian Summer Ephemera Combo packaging had me excited! Yes, you read correctly - I totally fell for the packaging!

And clearly, I wasn't the only one who loved this pattern - you'll spy it in it's full paper glory in the October 2019 Main Kit!

Yay! Totally swooning on this one!

To soften it just a little, I layered a sheet of Bazzill White Vellum over it and mounted it to my Bazzill Lemonade card front (both are from the September Cardstock Kit). The packaging didn't quite stretch to the base of my card, so I covered the gap with a trim of natural colored, scalloped lace from my stash. As most of you know, I love repeat design in all my creations, so I trimmed a soft pink section of the Dear Lizzy: She's Magic - Dreaming paper and used an old punch to re-create the scallop pattern. I machine stitched this trim to the top of my card, so that the top and base had a cohesive feel.

Here's a closer view....

So sweet!

The Dear Lizzy: She's Magic - Decorative Buttons were a gorgeous addition to the both the sewn & hand crafted look of the card. For more repetition, I threaded the button with natural colored twine and tied it in a bow.

Such a pretty detail!

To complete the card, I foam mounted the stitched Fun Times note card and embellished with the gorgeous Pretty Little Studio: Indian Summer Ephemera Combo die cuts. Last, but by no means least, I added those sparkly Dear Lizzy: She's Magic - Epoxy Stickers from the Embellishment Kit. The pop of pink coordinates with the pink in the plaid background and that sweet little button. Love it!

With my first card completed, it then determined the design and style for the other two!

Here's my second Thank You card....

The similarities between the cards is obvious, but on closer inspection, it's those small differences and details that make each card special & unique! I loved the softness that the vellum created in the first card, so I decide to use it again, but this time just over the plain Bazzill Lemonade Cardstock base. Super pretty! As I wasn't featuring a pattern paper background, I layered my stitched Fun Times note card onto a 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" sheet of the reverse side of the Dear Lizzy: She's Magic - Magic paper.

That green is gor-jus!!!

To make this card a lil more special, I embellished the vase of flowers with an Indian Summer die cut bloom. I folded up the petals on this die cut to create soft texture & dimension. I also foam mounted a Dear Lizzy: She's Magic - Mini Phrase Sticker (from the Embellishment Kit) to the vase. Small & simple details that produce that extra wow factor!

You'll also notice that I altered the position of the bow-tiful button & embellished it with a tiny laurel leaf die cut too! Super cute & sweet!

For my third and final card, I combined elements of the previous two cards as well as a couple new additions....

LOVEEE!!! That blue makes my heart happy!

Here's a closer look...

You'll see that I swapped out the pumpkin die cuts for that lovely yellow pear, and as yellow was such a predominant color in the mood board, I think it worked in beautifully!

The other noticeable difference is the inclusion of the sentiment tab at the top of the note card...

The Great Job tab is actually a Pinkfresh Studio: Office Hours - Cardstock Sticker from the Embellishment Kit! How cute! That soft pink coordinates with the flowers, as well as the scallop trim at the top of the card. Beautiful!

And there you have it!

Sew Beauti-Fall cards inspired by the fabulous October mood board!

I hope I have inspired you to create an extra card or two this month with your Hip Kits! Be sure to upload and share your handmade lovelies in the Hip Kit Club Facebook Group HERE - I can't wait to see what you create!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Hip Kit Club: September Moodboard Inspiration!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more Hip Kit Club inspiration!

Today I'm sharing a super pretty layout inspired by the September 2019 Moodboard which was created by our amazing DT member, Elsie Robinson!

If you've missed or forgotten the September Moodboard,

here's a quick reminder of what it looks like....

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Totally gor-jus, huh?! Such beautiful imagery!

So without further ado, here's the layout that this board inspired...

"Time Together"

Oh how preeeeeeetty!

I have combined the beautiful September 2019 Main, Embellishment & Cardstock Scrapbook Kits to create this gorgeous layout.

You'll notice that I was inspired by the striking pops of black in the first image, as well as all the florals throughout the board! The 'a cup of happy' image really got me thinking about gratitude and thankfulness. My 'cup' is so full. I am so blessed (& happy!) and my family are my every reason! I knew I had to document and convey this sense of happy gratitude somehow on my page.

I also took inspiration from the embroidery hoops, and framed my greatest masterpieces (my two darling children) inside the Pretty Little Studio die cut ephemera wreath.

Just beautiful!

Here's a better look at my scrapbook page.....

So very lovely!

Cherish this time together!

I started my layout with the Bazzill Marshmallow Cardstock from the September 2019 Cardstock Scrapbook Kit. I love a good 'white space' layout! I also love all things black & white, and that striking Jen Hadfield pattern paper (reverse side of Home Sweet Home from the This Is Family collection) completely had my heart! It really captured my attention, plus it featured florals - so win, win! The pink & white stripe branding strip at the base of this pattern paper also impressed me, so I kept it intact to act as an anchor for both my pattern paper and photograph.

The Dear Lizzy 'Magic' pattern paper was just begging to be fussy cut, and naturally, I had to oblige! Ha! I mean, who can resist those stunning blooms?! Infact, it was this pattern paper that then dictated the rest of my color scheme for the remainder of my layout.

Those blooms are errrything! I layered them beneath & around my photograph to visually draw attention to my treasured picture. The fine black outline on them also coordinated perfectly with the Home Sweet Home paper as well!

Speaking of coordination, the Pretty Little Studio: Indian Summer Ephemera Combo pack contained a few pretty black & white pieces too! I used that divine wreath to frame my darling photo, and tucked a few leaves beneath the fussy cut Dear Lizzy blooms.

Gor-jus!

The warm red color tones in the Magic blooms really excited me, (red isn't my usual go-to color) & I loved using this color as an accent in my design.

Using the September 2019 Embellishment Kit, I adorned my framed photo with that stunning red flair from the Indian Summer Love This Flair buttons pack. I also chose some of the warm red Mini Phrase Stickers from the Dear Lizzy: She's Magic collection to add a few sentiments to my page.

To avoid too much red, I also drew on the green and blue from the Magic paper, and sprinkled a few of the She's Magic Decorative Buttons and Pinkfresh Studio Office Hours Mixed Embellishments enamel dots from the Main Scrapbook Kit. This created both balance and harmony to my layout and offered a more light-hearted and fresh look!

For finishing touches, I positioned one of the golden yellow fussy cut blooms in the center of the base of the page, and embellished with more enamel dots, buttons, a phrase sticker and my title, Time Together. The title is from the Pretty Little Studio Indian Summer Ephemera Combo pack and is the perfect sentiment (& colors!) for my page.

And there you have it!

Simple.Beautiful.Heartfelt creating!

Inspired by that delightful moodboard and the gorgeous September Kits!

I wonder how this moodboard will influence your next project?

Be sure to share with us in the Hip Kit Club Facebook Group HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Pebbles: Patio Party Scrapbook Process Video!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more Pebbles Design Team inspiration!

2018 saw the release of so many gorgeous collections for Pebbles,

but my very favorite would have to be the bright and beautiful

Jen Hadfield: Patio Party. Just beautiful!

So, just before we reveal the first of many stunning new lines for 2019, let's take another look at this wonderful collection!

Today I am sharing a very sweet & fun scrapbook layout,

"Smile"

Oh isn't this pretty?!!

Such a beautiful page that really draws on all the gorgeous florals and blooms in both my photo, & the Patio Party collection! Love it!

Here's a closer look for you....

Sigh! This is soooooooo pretty!

I have featured the beautiful Backyard Blooms pattern paper as both the layout base and 'border', and then used this very same pattern in the 6 x 6 size to back my silly selfie photo with! The repeat patterning creates unity within my design, and pulls everything 'together'. As it is such a busy pattern paper, I avoid adding other designs or patterns and instead, opt for lots of complimentary embellishments to support my photo with.

How pretty are all those blooms?!

You'll spy them in Die Cut Ephemera, Dimensional Stickers, Puffy Stickers and even the 6 x 12 Accent Stickers - so many beautiful embellishments to create layers and interest with!

Just look at those layers!!! All the heart eyes for these pretty details!

With all those bright, pop colors & layered blooms, I feature the Wood Stickers to create balance in my design. The strong, rectangular shape combined with the dark wood grain offer a hint of masculinity and structure to this otherwise girly page.

I use the gold Puffy Sticker, Smile for my title - perfect for my selfie!

For finishing touches, I add a little watercolor paint and splatter droplets to complete my lovely page!

Want to see more?

Please watch my Scrapbook Process Video HERE:

Thanks so much for liking & subscribing too!

I hope you enjoy my video!

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

PATIO PARTY SUPPLIES:

732904 Backyard Blooms

732960 From Me To You

733775 6 x 6 Paper Pad

733778 Wood Stickers

733779 Dimensional Flower Stickers

733781 6 x 12" Accent Cardstock Stickers

733782 Ephemera

733783 Puffy Stickers

Citrus Twist Kits: Hello, Puppy!

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back for more Citrus Twist Kits inspiration!

Today I am sharing another pretty page with the December Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit!

If you missed this kit, it looks like this....

December 2018 "Pleasant Valley" Scrapbook Kit

Soooooooo.much.gorgeousness!!!!

If you're really quick, you might still be able to get one in the store HERE!

Now, onto the good stuff! Here's my latest layout with this divine kit!

"Hello, Puppy!"

Oh, isn't this just adorable?!!

Love our new puppy Maxwell the Dachshund so much!

#sorrynotsorry for all the puppy photos this month!

You'll spy the gorgeous Heidi Swapp Emerson Lane woodgrain pattern paper as my 8.5" x 11" base. I just love a good woodgrain paper, and this one has my heart - so cool!!!

I feature the American Crafts Journal Kits Ephemera tag at the top center of my design, drawing your eye in and down towards my sweet pic!

Here's a closer look for you....

I embellish this tag with Emerson Lane Cardstock Stickers, and the 1Canoe2 Golden Rod Chipboard Phrase Stickers from the December Embellishment Kit. I use the same Thickers for the hello title - so good!

Omgoodness! Cuteness alert!

Those puppy wrinkles get me everytime! All.the.heart.eyes!!!

And how gorgeous are the layers beneath my darling photo?!

You'll see a mix of CTK Exclusive Labels, Emerson Lane Cardstock Stickers, Journal Studio Puffy Stickers & Die Cut Ephemera pieces from the American Crafts Journal Kits. There's also a few pretty adornments from the Embellishment Kit - the Journal Studio Swan Paperclips, & the Pebbles Along the Way Epoxy Buttons. La la LOVE it all!

For finishing touches, I add the Paige Evans Whimsical Happy Life Mini Foam Alphabet Thickers to form the 'puppy' part of my title. Gorgeous!

Simple, sweet creating with the beautiful Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit!

I hope I have inspired you to get creating with your CTK kits today!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Citrus Twist Kits: December: 3 To Inspire Challenge!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Boy-oh-boy am I excited to be sharing some of my first creations with the gorgeous Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit! from Citrus Twist Kits!

This kit is all kinds of awesomeness - so many beautiful pattern papers, and sweet embellishments! Speaking of beautiful pattern papers, I decided to make pattern papers a feature of today's challenge! But enough chatter, let's get started!

For today's edition of 3-To-Inspire, your projects will need to feature the following....

1. Pattern paper as the layout base/background (no cardstock!).

With so many beautiful pattern papers in both our Scrapbook & PL kits this should be a great opportunity to showcase them in your creating!

2. Use stamps!

Feature any of the exclusive CTK stamps (past or present) in your layout!

3. Include a heart.

Stickers, ephemera, stamps - whatever takes your fancy! Hearts are such an easy embellishment to adorn your layouts with!

With these 3 things in mind, here's what I crafted with the Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit...

First up is my 'boy' page, "Better Together"

CTK Supplies Featured: Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit, Embellishment Kit.

Other: Black stamping ink, & Shimmerz Paints: Spritz Bamboo Leaf.

Isn't this awesome?!! Such a fun, masculine layout!

You'll spot the fabulous Pinkfresh Studio: Indigo Hills 2: Meadow pattern paper as my layout base. I fussy cut the Heidi Swapp: Emerson Lane: Easy Peasy Paper so that I can utilise all the journal cards, tags and labels in my photo cluster. For my stamping element, I repeat stamp the arrow that features in the 2" x 3" clear polymer stamp in the Scrapbook Kit.

You'll spot a variety of hearts on this layout, including the Emerson Lane Cardstock Stickers, Journal Studio Puffy Stickers (both from the Scrapbook Kit) as well as the One Canoe Two: Golden Rod Chipboard Phrase Thickers (from the Embellishment Kit). While we're on the topic of the Golden Rod Thickers, how incredible is that chipboard title?!! That gold is just SO striking against the indigo paper base! LOVE!!!

Here's a closer look at my photo cluster....

So many lovely layers here, mostly from the Emerson Lane supplies. They coordinate beautifully with the Meadow paper, and I love the inclusion of that olive green! You'll spy that I do add some painty splatters in a similar green color (from my personal stash) to enhance these embellishments.

So cool! A boy & his puppy documented perfectly with Pleasant Valley!

My second layout for today is a softer, more feminine take on the 3-To-Inspire challenge....

"Sweet Puppy Love"

CTK Supplies: Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit, Pattern Paper Play Kit, Embellishment Kit.

Other: Black stamping ink, & watercolor paint.

Naww! How cute is that puppy?!! No secret that I am totally smitten by him!

I have used the beautiful Heidi Swapp: Emerson Lane paper that comes in this month's Pattern Paper Play Kit as my layout base. I've also used lots of the Journal Studio goodies that feature in the Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit, as well as a bit of everything from the Embellishment Kit! (There's no such thing as too many embellishments, right?) You'll notice that I do remove the paperclip backings from the Journal Studio Swan Paper Clips and use them as an epoxy sticker instead! Awesome!

Here's a closer look at my page.....

Omgoodness! I can't handle his cuteness!!! Such a darling lil pup!

And yes, that's me in the photo - awkward as always (I much prefer being behind the lens!) but this lil guy just has to be documented! If your familiar with my style, it's well known that I love all.the.florals!!! So naturally, I use a lot of them for my layout!

The hearts featured are from the Golden Rod Thickers set, & on the subject of Thickers, how gorgeous is that soft, glossy pink title?!! Those alphas are from Pink Paislee's Paige Evans Whimsical collection & are from the Scrapbook Kit. SO pretty!!!

Lots of repeat stamping from the exclusive CTK stamp from the Scrapbook Kit and watercolor paint droplets to complete this pretty page.

And there you have it! My first two pages with the divine Pleasant Valley Kits!

I hope I have inspired you to get creating & play along with today's 3-To-Inspire challenge!

Be sure to share your beautiful creations in the Citrus Twist Kits Fan Page on Facebook - we love to see what you've crafted!

Thanks so much for visiting today,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Pebbles: Holly Jolly Christmas!

Hi Creatives!

Welcome back for more Pebbles inspiration!

Today I am sharing a really simple process video with the super cute Cozy & Bright collection!

I just love this adorable collection - it's so playful & fun!

Perfect for documenting all the holly jolly Christmas moments!

But enough chatter, here's what my finished project looks like.....

"Holly Jolly"

Oh isn't this the sweetest?!!

Nothing's more precious than a puppy for Christmas!!! Holly jolly, indeed!

I've featured one inch strips of the bright stripes pattern paper, MERRY & BRIGHT to act as an anchor at both the top and base of my 12 inch white cardstock page. I've also drawn on the less traditional Christmas colors in this collection, and used the light blue and pink for a more whimsical look!

Here's a closer look for you.....

This is oh so pretty!

Lots of beautiful embellishments to adorn and support my sweet photo!

I fussy cut those blue & pink tags from pattern paper GIVE JOY, and use them to layer my photo with. The use of tags is a great alternative to blocks of pattern paper, and adds a more playful and fresh look!