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....

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

Citrus Twist Kits: Let's Get Digital!

Hi Friends! 

I hope you're loving all the fabulous inspiration with the new 

Citrus Twist Kits Life Crafted Kit!

I am SO excited by this new fresh look for memory keeping, 

but I am also very much a 12 x 12 scrapbooker by heart! 

So even though this month's Digital Cut Files are perfectly created for your Life Crafted album, 

I've edited the size of the Retro Circle Border digital file for today's post and created this.....

"Good Vibes Only"

Oh wow!!!

You can see that Life Crafted is very much for the 12 x 12 scrappers too! 

CTK Supplies: Life Crafted January 2019 Kit - Fresh Starts, Scrapbook Add On Kit, January 2019 This Is Life "New Beginnings" Stamp, Subscriber Exclusive Digital Cut File - Retro Circle Border, Subscriber Exclusive 2019 January Printable.  

Other Supplies: Shimmerz Paints: Vibez - Jeni Be Bleu, Hermit the Frog, & Deep Blue Sea, Umbrella Crafts Premium Dye Ink - Green, Versa Ink - Lime, & Bakers Twine. 

TIP: 

To download any of the CTK Subscriber Exclusive Digitals or Printables, you must be signed into your CTK account, before selecting the Subscriber Workshop tab. Once you've done this, scroll down the page and click the item you wish to download. 

To create this amazing layout I start by enlarging the digital file, and replicating it. This is so I have two sets of circles to work with. Before I remove the Retro Circles Borders from my cutting mat, I treat them with a few sprays of Shimmerz Vibez - as shown below.....

Lots of messy fun here! 

You'll notice that I have washi tape on the sides of my cardstock, the purpose is two fold. 

1. My mat isn't quite as sticky as I'd like it to be, so the washi tape aids to keep my cardstock in position and, 

2. It also aids against paper warping when I add all that paint. 

Once dry, I remove the Retro Circles Borders cuts, as well as the negatives. Be sure to keep the negatives, as I use quite a few of these left over circles on the left hand side of my layout.

I use pretty pattern papers from both kits to trim the top and base of my layout. Next, I glue 95% of one Retro Circle Border to my page, trimming away the excess along the right hand side of my layout. Using the gorgeous leaves stamps included in the "This Is Life" New Beginnings Stamp, I add lots of lime and green foliage to the layout base. Those stamped leaves are really something! Such beautiful details! 

Next, I glue down the left over 'negative cuts' from the Retro Circles Borders, and foam mount the odd one or two. I just love how effective this looks! With circles as a dominant shape in my design, it seemed a no brainer to use the circular frame from the Dear Lizzy Die Cut Shapes (included in the Scrapbook Add On Kit) for my sweet girl's photo. I also needed an accent color - something with a lil warmth to balance and cut through all those cool greens and blues. The answer was that fabulous golden Hello Love chipboard sticker. This is from the CTK exclusives included in the Life Crafted - Fresh Starts Kit. And even better, it's a circle too! Love it! 

I fussy cut a few of the Dear Lizzy Die Cut Shapes so that they better suit my design. In particular, the Good Vibes Only title piece. I have snipped away the cacti so it now mimics my stamping and flatters my photo! For finishing touches, I also add that pretty green tag from the Subscriber Exclusives for January and the Tiny Word Stickers from the Life Crafted Kit. 

Simple. Beautiful. Life Crafted! 

I hope my layout has inspired you today! 

Life Crafted is all about you and your stories - so craft it your way! 

I can't wait to see what you create! 

Be sure to share your projects with these beautiful kits & Subscriber Exclusive Digitals & Printables in the Citrus Twist Kits Facebook Fan Page HERE! 

Thanks so much for visiting today! 

'til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Citrus Twist Kits: 3 to Inspire with the New Life Crafted Kit!

Hi Friends! 

Welcome back for more memory keeping inspiration with a new edition of the 

Citrus Twist Kits 

3 - to - Inspire challenge! 

 I am so super excited to be sharing more of our amazing Life Crafted Kit! 

This new look kit has me swooning! 

"Fresh Starts" Kit 

I love this new look & fun approach to everyday documenting, 

but I also still love my 12 x 12 style of scrapbooking! 

So for today's challenge, I am also incorporating how I use Life Crafted for 12 x 12 layouts too! Yay! 

Here are the items you'll need to feature in your creating to play along:

1. Stamping - There are four fabulous CTK stamps this month, and one's an exclusive included in the Life Crafted kit. Have fun & get inky! 

2. Stickers - There are some fabulous stickers in both the Life Crafted Kit and the Scrapbooking Add On Kit! I'm especially loving the Tiny Word Stickers in the Life Crafted Kit.  

3. Ephemera -  Again, you'll find them in both kits, or you could make your own from our monthly printable cut aparts! Yayyy! 

Such a fun & easy challenge for you to play along with! 

Here's what I've created using both our Life Crafted & Scrapbooking Add On Kits, 

"Hey Boy, You ROCK"

How awesome is this?!! Such a fun page for my cool kid!

I use the white cardstock and Shine Bright paper from the Scrapbooking Add On kit for the 12" elements in my layout. I layer my photo onto the exclusive Life Crafted pattern papers, and ephemera and then go wild with embellishing! 

The "THIS" stamp is from the exclusive Fresh Starts stamp set in the Life Crafted Kit. I repeat stamp it for maximum impact - so striking & tons of fun too! 

For the stickers element, I feature a mix of stickers from both kits but I am really crushing on the Tiny Word Stickers in the Life Crafted Kit - so good!

How cool are those faux enamel dots?! They're actually the inner circles from the O's in the Black Puffy Alphas Stickers in the Life Crafted Kit. Perfect! 

Speaking of alphas, here's a closer look at that super, mixed font title.....

So.much. awewsomeness!!!

You can see that the Scrapbooking Add On Kit has been carefully curated to compliment the Life Crafted Kit so we can enjoy the best of both memory keeping options! Yay! Love it! 

And because I really do LOVE it, I couldn't help myself... 

I've made a second layout for today's challenge, 

"Fresh Start"

Whoa! Another super boy page for my Mister A for Awesome! 

Again, I have combined both the Life Crafted & Scrapbooking Add-On Kits to create my scrapbook layout. I have also featured the Life Crafted Travelers Notebook Stamp; a new fave of mine! 

Those layers!!! 

The L shaped design of this layout is really eye catching, and I adore the split title! To add even more interest to it, I machine stitched it into place! Oh, and that title? It's from the exclusive CTK ephemera in the Life Crafted Kit! 

The Dear Lizzy Puffy Stickers in the Scrapbooking Add On Kit were the perfect adornment for this journal cluster! & yes, I'm still crushing on those Tiny Word Stickers - could you tell? lol! 

Such an awesome page for my sweet boy!

And there you have it! 

My takes on today's 3 - To - Inspire challenge! 

(& a look at how I am combining both kits to meet my 12 x 12 scarpbook layout needs!)

Now it's your turn! 

I can't wait to see your creations with this challenge! 

Be sure to share them with us in the Facebook CTK Fans Page HERE - we LOVE seeing your work! 

Haven't ordered your kits yet? 

Visit the store HERE to get started!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Shimmerz Paints: More New Colors FUN!

Hi Creative Friends!

Welcome back for more Shimmerz Paints inspiration! 

Today I am shining the spotlight on our gorgeous new Shimmerz colors!

These colors are perfect for documenting those Summer memories with!

  Here's what I've created with them today....

"Together"  

Oh, isn't this pretty?!! 

Gorgeous, shimmering colors & fussy cut blooms = Summer perfection! 

Loving this pretty combination!

Here's a closer look for you...

I've combined my Shimmerz colors with Dear Lizzy's Stay Colorful line and the

 Let's Go free cut file from Paper Issues. 

You'll spy Shimmerz in the following colors:

Pink-O-De Mayo

Going Peach Side

Limoncello

It's Mint To Be

Pool Me Close

Magenta

 I used these shimmering delights to create that gorgeous mixed media base......

You'll see that I start by penciling just inside where my cut file will be positioned. 

This really just guides me on where to apply the color. 

Next, I take the fabulous Limoncello and apply it around the Let's Go free cut file shape using the packaging technique. 

I smear a little of the Magenta & Going Peach Side into the Limoncello, while it's still wet. 

I love how these complimentary colors interact!

I splatter all these colors, plus Pink-O-De Mayo around the cut file shape then dry it all off before adding It's Mint To Be and Pool Me Closer. 

I just love how this turns out! 

The vibrancy and shimmer in these colors is aaaah-mazing! Love, love, LOVE!

The rest of my layout is a mix of embellishments and fussy cut flowers. 

I mount my cut file and photo onto a thick layer of cardboard to really make it pop and stand out on the page. 

I even hand stitch the cut file heart with hand colored twine! 

So, so gorgeous! 

Such a beautiful Summer moment to document too! 

My title is a Puffy Sticker from the Elle's Studio Family Fun collection. Isn't it divine?!

Just look at all that shimmery goodness !!! 

No matter which way you look at it, these new Shimmerz colors are to die for!

I hope my layout today has inspired you to try our newest Shimmerz colors! 

You can get yours in the Shimmerz Paints store HERE

& REMEMBER: Type AMANDA in the comments section of your order to receive a FREE paint! 

Yay for freebies! 

Thanks so much for visiting today! 

I really hope you enjoyed seeing my project! 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Shimmerz Paints: Hello Sunshine!

Hello February, & Hello Sunshine!!!!

I am so excited to be sharing another gorgeous Shimmerz Paints project with you today!

"Hello Sunshine"


Ooooooh!!! All the happy Summer vibes here!
Love this!
You'll spy lots of awesome Shimmerz colors here!
I took inspiration from the Dear Lizzy Hello Sunshine ephemera, and that fabulous (wave like) Elle's Studio washi tape! So cool!

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



I started by lightly sketching my sun and wave design, and then literally painted them in using those gorgeous Inklingz Paints.
I used Inklingz: Can't Elope, &  Meet Me @ Sunset for the sun, and Green Goddess for those mimicked waves. You'll also spot some delicate splatters using Inklingz: Beets Me & She Packs A Punch. 
SO awesome! I just adore this color combination!
I have mixed Dear Lizzy's Stargazer collection with Elle's Studio: Live Laugh Love line for this happy, Summer beach days page!
My chipboard title has been treated with Vibez: Jeni Be Bleu & Cold As Ice - love the two tone look!
Fab-u-lous!!!
I can't tell you enough how incredible these paints are to work with!!!!
Here's a few close ups for you.....

Vibez: Jeni Be Bleu is such a signature Shimmerz Paints colour! Isn't it gorgeous?!!

Here's a better look at those tiny Inklingz splatters.....

Gosh, it's just so pretty!!!

I ADORE Inklingz - the shimmer and high sheen on these paints is mind blowing! 

I think Green Goddess may be going on my newest favourites list!!! 

Spectacular!

And there you have it!

All the Summer Vibez!!!

Needing a lil Shimmerz Paints to brighten up your day?

Visit the store HERE &

Type AMANDA in the comments section of your order to receive a freebie!!!

Yes,  type Amanda = free paint!

Thanks so much for visiting! 

I hope I have inspired you!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo