Hip Kit Club: Recipe Challenge with a Thankful Theme

 

 

Hi Friends!

 Welcome back for more October 2020 Hip Kit awesomeness! 

Today I'm sharing my take on the Recipe Challenge happening over in the Hip Kit Club Facebook Group. The  Design Team also have the additional challenge of including a Thankful theme, yay! I love a good challenge, and this one is tons of fun! 

Check it out...

 

Told you it was fun! Here's what I came up with... 

"Thankful For You"

 Oh my heart! Could he be any more adorable?! Thankful beyond measure for this cool kid! 

And how amazing are the October 2020 Hip Kits?!! I mean seriously, SO gorgeous! You'll spy the October 2020 Main, Embellishment and Cardstock Kits here, and let me tell you, I had a hard time deciding what to use -  I just LOVE it all! 

Let's take a better look at my layout....

 From his adorable face to that sweet Simple Stories fox, (and let's be honest - everything in between) this page just makes my heart so happy! I love documenting the season of Fall & the Thankful theme is just an added bonus! Giving thanks, showing gratitude & being grateful are such important values in our  everyday family life, so that really makes this challenge perfect for me!

For the stitching element, I ran my sewing machine through the reverse side of the Hip Kit Club exclusive Grandma's House - Softly Quilted paper. I left the cotton threads attached, and distressed the base of this paper for added texture and interest too! So effective! Beneath it is a trim of the reverse side of Crate Paper's Fresh Bouquet, Wild Rose. The strong contrast of warm florals against crisp blue polka dots is really striking and made this the perfect place to position my sweet boy's photos.

To incorporate more patterned papers into my page, I mounted his photographs onto a couple of tags which I fussy cut from the Simple Stories, Cozy Days Tags paper.  I hole punched these tags and tied some natural twine bows  to them as well, which created a more authentic look.  And while I had my fussy cutting scissors handy, I just had to cut out some of the foliage from the Crate Paper Fresh Bouquet Wild Rose paper, as well as the Simple Stories Cozy Days Harvest Wishes paper. Those fussy cuts are stunning! Actually, I think it's pretty safe to say that every paper from the Main and Paper Kits are stunning! It almost hurt to cut them into pieces!

 When it came to  enhancing the falling leaves photo cluster,  I just had to use all.the.things from the  October 2020 Embellishment Kit!  You'll spy a few of the Pebbles: The Avenue Floral Ephemera, the Sticker Book stickers and those divine Gold Puffy Leaf Stickers. There's also those amazing Amy Tangerine: Late Afternoon Tortoise Shell Hearts (I removed the paper clips with my craft pliers to make them more versatile) & the Simple Stories Cozy Days Foam Phrase Stickers. Here's a closer look for you...

 I really adore those Amy Tangerine Tortoise Shell Hearts!

As the challenge called for Chipboards, I added a few small chippie hearts to the embellishment cluster, as well as that darling fox from the Simple Stories Cozy Days Chipboard Stickers. That striking Simple Stories Washi Tape (another amazing item from the Embellishment Kit) is used to trim the base of my layout, and really supports that rich Gold Puffy Phrase Stickers title. For finishing touches, I flicked a bit of vermillion red paint from my stash. Those splatters really complete the page!

I hope that my take on this week's Hip Kit Club Recipe Challenge has inspired you to play along! See more  challenge inspiration, and upload your entry, in the Hip Kit Club Facebook Group HERE. I can't wait to see what you create!

Thanks so much for stopping by today,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

 

Hip Kit Club: Beautiful FALL Layout & Process Video

Hi  Friends! 

Welcome back for more Hip Kit Club: October Kit inspiration! 

Today I am sharing a really beautiful and elegant Fall themed page featuring one of our subscriber exclusive cut files, fussy cut pieces and those amazing Vellum Die Cut Leaves from the October 2019 Main Kit. 

There are so many gorgeous papers and embellishments in this month's kits, and I just couldn't resist using quite a few of them, as well as drawing on the stunning colors that feature throughout all the kits. 

But enough chatter, let's get straight into it!

Here's my layout, 

"Beautiful FALL"

Beautiful, indeed! 

Those colors are just errrything!!!  

Such a classic & elegant Fall page that not only captures the colors of the season, but also the joy it brings! I couldn't be more grateful for my two children - so very blessed! 

 Here's better view of my scrapbook page...

Like the subjects in my Fall photo, the colors in this month's kits totally have my heart! 

Inspired by my treasured photograph and the very whimsical trees on pattern paper #7 from the Pink Paislee: Paige Evans Truly Grateful collection, I knew I just had to create a pink and blue Fall page. I started by fussy cutting a bunch of those gorgeous trees from paper #7 courtesy of the October 2019 Main Kit, as well as backing the Beautiful FALL cut file with the Bazzill Typhoon Cardstock from the October 2019 Cardstock Kit. 

While I was in a fussy cutting mood, you'll spy that I also cut along the scallop edge of Truly Grateful pattern paper #4 (also from the Main Kit), and then repeated this fussy cutting on a strip of that gorgeous Bazzill Typhoon Cardstock. 

I machine stitched those two scallop trims together at the top of my Bazzill Avalanche Cardstock base, and then embellished the top left corner with HKC Exclusive Cozy Up Die Cuts from the Main Kit and Cozy Up Cardstock Stickers from the Embellishment Kit. 

The bulk of my layout occurs in the second third of the page and is a myriad of those gorgeous colors, patterns and textures. I combined lots of those paper #7 trees with the similar styled HKC Exclusive Cozy Up Chipboard Stickers to create a whimsical forest appearance. I fussy cut & adhered the Pinkfresh Studio: Just A Lil Lovely: Chit Chat banners slightly below the center, and then foam mounted my darling photo over the top trim of them. 

For a striking title, I not only backed the cut file with the one dominant blue color, I also embellished it with a complementary colored chipboard sticker bow. This clever use of color really pops and brings attention to both my photo and it's title. Perfect!

I trimmed each 'side' of the cut file with those stunning Pretty Little Studio: Indian Summer: Vellum Die Cut Leaves and added some machine threads and HKC Exclusive Cosy Up Chipboard Stickers to complete the look. 

A really striking and BeautiFALL page! 

You can see more of this layout, including how it all came together, in my process video HERE. 

Thanks so much for watching! 

I hope I have inspired you to get creating with our amazing October Kits and Digital Cut Files! 

Til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Elle's Studio: Spooky Halloween!

Hi Creatives! 

Welcome back for more Elle's Studio awesomeness!
Have you got some Boo-tiful photos and memories to document? 

Well this month's kit and new releases are perfect for all your spook-tacular Halloween projects!

***Shop ALL the Elle's Studio New Releases HERE***

Here's a little Happy Haunting inspiration for you.... 

"Trick Or Treat"  

Elle's Studio Supplies: October Kit, Sweater Weather 6 x 6 Paper Pack, Puffy Stars & Dot Stickers, Trick-O-Treat Wood Veneer, Halloween Wood Veneer, Autumn Shipping Tags, Autumn Fun Stickers, Jane Alphabet Stickers-Black & Noteworthy Epoxy Stickers. 

Other Supplies: White & Black Bazzill Cardstock, Umbrella Crafts Dye Ink in Sunshine, & organza ribbon. 

All the happy haunts here! Such a fun layout! 

You'll spot that I trim the moon & stars pattern paper (from the Sweater Weather pack) into one inch strips. I connect the strips together to create the appearance of 12 inch paper at both the top and base of my layout design. Such a great way to maximize your six inch papers! 

To enhance the spooky starry background, I fussy cut the stars & moon journal card from the October Kit, and add a star die cut or two. I further add to this look with the inclusion of the Puffy Star & Dot Stickers - so cool! 

I feature the Halloween Wood Veneer in the top corner of the layout, & coat the OCT 31 in yellow ink. The colored veneer really pops! 

I use the same ink to hand color the Trick Or Treat Wood Veneer in the opposite corner at the base of my  page, and add more of those fabulous stars!

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

That title is errrrything!!! Whether you use it on layouts, pocket pages or even cards - the Trick Or Treat Wood Veneer is a must-have!

And when it comes to Halloween, we need a pumpkin or two, right?! 

 

The Jack-O-Lantern novelty veneer is super cute! A perfect embellishment for my two trick or treaters in the photo! (And yes, they sure do love candy!) 

The second pumpkin is one which I drew, & cut out from black cardstock. I back it with more of the Sweater Weather 6 x 6 Papers and position my layered photo onto it. 

The layers beneath my photo are created with the Autumn Shipping Tags, October Kit, and more of the Sweater Weather papers. Wood Veneer & Autumn Fun Stickers complete the photo cluster, and add that extra BOO! factor. 

For finishing touches, I add the Happy Haunting subtitle with the black Jane Alphabet Stickers and fussy cut some bats from my left over one inch pattern paper strips.....

Totally Spook-tacular!!!

I hope I have inspired you to document your Halloween memories with Elle's Studio!

Happy Haunting Friends!

Thanks so much for visiting, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo 

Citrus Twist Kits: Let's Get Digital for Fall!

Hi Friends! 

Welcome back for more Citrus Twist Kits inspiration!

Today I'm sharing a super fun Fall layout that spotlights the awesome Digital Cut Files at CTK! 

I have used the FREE Leaf Frame file with my Silhouette Sketch Pens for a really fabulous mixed media layout! 

Here's what I created....

"Small Things, Great Love" 

CTK Supplies | Little Things Pocket Life Kit, Little Things Scrapbook Kit, October Pattern Paper Play Kit, Leaf Frame Digital Cut File, Pinkfresh Studio Liquid Watercolors. 

Isn't this gor-jus?!! All the Fall fabulousness here! 

I have featured the Little Things Pocket Life Kit, and combined it with wood veneer from the Little Things Scrapbook Kit, as well as fussy cut butterflies from the Vicki Boutin paper in the Pattern Paper Play Kit. 

But it's the Leaf Frame File that really makes this layout! 

The Leaf Frame file has been designed by our very talented Nathalie DeSousa, 

& looks like this....

So awesome!!!

You can download the Leaf Frame Digital Cut File from the CTK Store HERE. 

I enlarged this file so it would frame around edge of my 12 x 12" cardstock base, & then used Silhouette Sketch Pens (Orange & Red ) to draw the enlarged digital file.

I loosely paint the leaves with the fabulous Pinkfresh Studio Liquid Watercolors in Candy Apple, Clementine, Sunshine & even a tiny amount of Lavender! I love the flow and vibrancy of these liquid watercolors! 

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

Sketch Pens are water soluble, so I use this 'ink bleeding' to my advantage,  & blend to create a little tone within my messy water coloring. I also add a few inky splatters for good measure. So cool! 

Here's another view for you....

Sketch Pens are really good fun, and combined with the Pinkfresh Studio Liquid Watercolors, they're super effective too! 

Those fussy cut butterflies are such a pretty adornment too! 

The laugh veneer from the Scrapbook Kit coordinates perfectly with both the Fall, outdoorsy theme of my layout.

It's also a pretty accurate descriptor of the story in my photo too! Aren't they just the cutest?!

I layer my favorite Fall photo onto that exclusive PL journal card, and then layer die cuts and 6 x 8 pattern paper beneath it all. 

Super simple creating that's tons of fun, and looks super effective! 

And there you have it! 

My fun take on this month's Let's Get Digital highlight! 

I hope you'll download this FREE file (and more) from the CTK shop HERE, 

and get a little creative too! 

Thanks so much for visiting, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days,

 Amanda xo 

Citrus Twist Kits: 3 To Inspire Challenge!

Hi Creative Friends! 

Welcome back for today's installment of the awesome 

Citrus Twist Kits: 3 - To - Inspire challenge! 

I love a good challenge, and I had such fun creating for this one that I made not one, not two, but 3 layouts to inspire you with! Lol, what can I say? I love memory keeping & crafts! 

I hope you'll find some time this week to play along too! 

All you need to do is feature the following three prompts in your creating....

1. Use alphas in your project. 

(There are a few varieties in this month's kits - plus we won't mind if you use some from last month too! ;) There are always plenty of alphas left over, right?)

2. Include some die cut shapes or ephemera. 

(Again, there are plenty in this month's kits and oh my heart, the exclusive ones in the PL Kit are divine!!!) 

3. Add a wood element to your page. 

(This could be a wooden embellishment, or even some wood grain pattern paper) 

Easy Peasy (CTK)  Lemon Squeezy!

Before you get started, here are the three layouts that I created for today's challenge.....

"Be-You-tiful"

Isn't this pretty?! 

I have used the gorgeous Little Things Scrapbook Kit, as well as fussy cut butterflies from the Pattern Paper Play Kit, the October Embellishment Kit and the Pinkfresh Studio Liquid Watercolors. I just adore the blue hues and embellishments featured in the Little Things Scrapbook Kit, and they coordinated beautifully with my sweet photograph! You'll spy lots of Crate Paper, Pinkfresh Studio  & Vicki Boutin on this layout! 

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

Aren't those fussy cut butterflies super pretty?!!

And those Liquid Watercolors are just stunning!!! I have used Sapphire, Lavender, & Sky Blue and they're all available in the CTK store HERE. 

Lots of luscious layers of papers & die cut ephemera beneath my photo! I love having ephemera tucked in and around my layout focal points. The wood element in this layout comes from our October Embellishment Kit - the gorgeous gold foiled wood veneer from Pinkfresh Studio! 

The pretty mint alphas for my 'Be-You-tiful' title are from the Scrapbook Kit, and are also from Pinkfresh Studio - LOVE!!!

So.much.pretty in the Little Things Scrapbook Kit!!!

My next layout has a very fresh feel to it.....

"Beautiful Ordinary Life" 

Sigh! Beautiful, indeed! 

It's no secret that I heart me some Pinkfresh Studio, & this is exactly why! 

So clean, fresh & contemporary! A really elegant and beautiful page of my darling daughter! 

All the Pinkfresh Studio goodies here, plus a couple of those super cute inflatable hearts from Amy Tangerine. 

Created with the Little Things Scrapbook Kit and teamed with the fabulous phrase stickers & wood veneers from the Embellishment Kit & paper from the Pattern Paper Play Kit.  Perfection! 

Those floral die cuts have my heart!!! SO pretty! 

The mint alphas add that tiny pop of color to break up all that peach, and add balance to my design. Love it! 

And last, but by no means least, my third layout for this super fun challenge....

"Boy: Slow Down"

Such a fresh & fun page for my darling boy! 

I have opted for a 8.5" x 11" design, and used the beautiful Little Things Pocket Life Kit! I am LOVING the exclusive pattern papers & just had to make a feature of them!

I layer quite a few of them beneath my photo to really draw your eye in. You'll also spot the vintage book paper, and lots of the exclusive die cuts too! 

I use the wood grain pattern paper for the wood element in this layout, as well as the pretty blue alphas to complete the 3-to-Inspire requirements. Such a cool adventure boy page! 

Those alphas are such a gorgeous shade of blue! All the heart eyes for these!

The PL Kits are always jam packed full of exclusive must haves! So good!

And there you have it! Lots of inspirational ideas to get your creativity flowing! 

I can't wait to see what you create for this 3-to-Inspire challenge! 

***Be sure to upload your challenge entries in the Facebook Citrus Twist Kits Fan Page***

Need supplies before you begin? 

Visit the Citrus Twist Kits store HERE

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

Til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Elle's Studio: October New Releases & Inspiration!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for this month's Kit Reveal & New Releases at Elle's Studio! 

I say it every month but truly, the October Kit is all.kinds.of.awesomeness!!!

Check it out....

I told you! SO.much.awesomness!!!

All the heart eyes for all the Fall things! 

And like always, the Add-Ons are absolute Must-Haves too......

The  new 6 x 6 Sweater Weather Paper Pack is AWESOME!!! 

& I  just  have to mention that stamp!!! 

The new Thankful Stamp is errrything - you'll see it feature in a moment ;)

And of course, Fall, Halloween, Home & Coffee themes - yayyy!!!

The cherry on top of the amazing new releases would have to be the 

Digital Cut Files & Printables....

LOVE!!!!

***You can shop ALL the New Releases HERE***

Need a lil inspiration first?

Here's what I've created just for today's reveal.....

"Favorite"

Elle's Studio Supplies: October Exclusive Kit, Puffy Stars & Dots Stickers, 6 x 6 Sweater Weather Paper Pack, Thankful Stamp, Autumn Fun Stickers, October Labels, Autumn Shipping Tags, Noteworthy Puffy Stickers, Noteworthy 12 x 12 Paper Pack. 

Other Supplies: 12" x 12" Bazzil - Marshmallow, Umbrella Crafts Dye Ink Pads - Mint, Sky Blue, Cobalt Blue, Sunbeam & Shimmerz Paints: Spritz Bamboo Leaf, Coloringz: Freshly Squeezed & Lil' Yellow School Bus. 

W.O.W!!!

My favorite season, indeed!

How incredible is that stamped wreath?!! 

I have repeat stamped the leaves from the Thankful Stamp set, in a variety of colors & fussy cut them out. I arranged them into the circular shape, glued onto my watercolor base and embellished with the Puffy Dots Stickers. So cool! 

To enhance the wreath appearance, I add a baker's twine bow to the base of the wreath. I also fussy cut one of the 3" x 4" cards to use as my subtitle, My favorite season has arrived!

That stamping!!! 

Perfect for all your Fall & Thanksgiving projects!

The Thankful Stamp is my favorite kit add-on this month - so good!

The Sweater Weather 6" x 6" Papers & Autumn Shipping Tags are perfect for layering beneath photos, and on my favorites list too! 

My second layout is a little close to my heart.....

"Heart Of Our Home" 

Elle's Studio Supplies: October Exclusive Kit, Puffy Stars & Dots Stickers, Sweater Weather 6 x 6 Paper Pack, Thankful Stamp, Autumn Fun Stickers, Home Sweet Home Wood Veneer, Jane Alphabet Stickers - Black, October Digital Cut File, Noteworthy Epoxy Stickers. 

Other Supplies: 12" x 12" Bazzil - Marshmallow, Umbrella Crafts Dye Ink Pads - Mint, Sky Blue, Cobalt Blue, Sunbeam. 

What a fun page!!!

I just couldn't resist the super cute Home Sweet Home Wood Veneer, and repeat cutting it with it's coordinating Digital Cut File with the Sweater Weather 6 x 6 papers! 

I anchor all the 'homes' to the stamped trim at the base of my layout (created with that Thankful Stamp - it's seriously awesome!) 

Such an effective look! 

That veneer is really something! I embellish the 'o' in home with those fabulous Puffy Dots! The paper cut homes are all backed with Sweater Weather papers, and a couple are embellished with Die Cuts from the October Kit.  

The heart off-cuts from the Digital Cut File are all used to embellish the top of my layout. You'll also spy more stamping from - you guessed it - the Thankful Stamp! I just can't get enough of this stamp!!!

I also embellish with Puffy Dot Stickers, Noteworthy Epoxy Stickers and use the black Jane Alphabet Stickers for my title. 

Heart of Our Home without a doubt!!! Love this so much!

***Shop ALL the new Elle's Studio new releases HERE***

And there you have it! 

Two really beautiful pages with the latest Elle's Studio products!

I'll be back a lil  later in the month to share some Halloween inspiration with this kit & add ons too!

Thanks so much for visiting today! 

I hope I have inspired you to get creating!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo