Halloween Blog Hop

Welcome to the Halloween Blog Hop from Blog Hops with Heart! You might be arriving here from STEPHANIE'S BLOG. You'll find a list of all the participating artists at the bottom of this post. Let's Hop!

For today's hop I'm using the new Cats and Bats Workshops Your Way kit. I love that these affordably priced kits include everything you need to make three double page layouts. I find it hard to just follow the directions for the kits though, as I like more stuff on my pages. I'm a lumpy-bumpy kinda embellishment crafter! Luckily there's plenty of stuff in the kit to satisfy even me! This is the first of the three pages in the kit. I did not change any of the cutting in the guides, but I did add some of the items that weren't used in the original instructions which you can view here. I also flipped some of the papers (LOVE that double sided print business), and changed the photo layout a bit to accommodate my bigger photo choices.

I added more to the title area of the kit instructions. I used one of the printed 3x4 cards included in the packet, which was a chevron print, to create the oversized teal arrow element. I stole the Halloween title stickers from another page (because I usually only need one or two Halloween pages each year, not three, so I used the last one for something special). In the bottom corner of this page you can kind of see some of the paper tearing elements I added, as well as seriously upping the amount of shimmer trim on this layout.

I did a shimmer trim "stitch" all around the layout as well. I just trimmed 1/8" strips from my shimmer trim and lined them up! I might have wondered if it would have been quicker to actually stitch the page at one point, but I love the chunky stitch effect. I also added some googly eyes to the black glitter chipboard bats. They are so sparkly and a really nice weight, too.

Next up on the hop is AMIE'S BLOG. Happy Halloween hopping!

Boo to You Blog Hoppers:

Kelly

Jayma

Stephanie

Wendy (You are here)

Amie

Katy

End of Summer Blog Hop

Welcome to the Blog Hops with Heart End of Summer Blog Hop! You might be arriving here from KELLY'S BLOG. You'll find a list of all the hoppers at the bottom of this post.

For this month's hop I thought I'd finally get around to sharing my winning layout from this Summer's Convention Layout Contest. It's honestly one of my favorite things that I've ever made. I love how the Layout Contest themes make me scrapbook something that I might not otherwise have thought to put down on paper.

This year's theme was to tell an important story. I was STUMPED for the longest time. What story is most important. What's relevant? How in the world do you get started? Then one night, I kid you not, I literally dreamed this layout into existence. I woke up and it just came together like no prob, Rob...I am not a quick scrapbooker and this one just flowed out lickety split.   

I used a watercolor over rocks technique for the background, the watercolored letters, and the flowers. You pile small pebbles or glass stones onto watercolor paper and mist them well with a spray bottle. Then you drop watercolor onto the rock piles and let it seep down onto the paper. I let it dry overnight because I was afraid to disturb the watercolor. It's super fun to do, and the resulting background/painting is so lovely and bright.

Next up on the hop is JAYMA'S BLOG. I can't wait to see what all these amazing artists have made! Happy hopping!

End of Summer Hop:

Katy

Stephanie

Amie

Kelly

Wendy (You are Here)

Jayma

Becca

Scrapping Our Stash December Blog Hop

Welcome to another Scrapping Our Stash Blog hop. For December we chose an Anything Goes theme. You might be arriving here from LYNE'S BLOG. You can find a full list of hoppers at the bottom of this post!

 A Christmas Story has long been a family favorite of ours, and Ben's love of chunky black glasses helps him bear a pretty good resemblance to Ralphie Parker. I don't know why, but this year he agreed to be Ralphie for Halloween. We thought we'd have to really work on him, but he loved the idea and agreed to give up his typical Star Wars costume for the low, low price of a small custom box of See's Candy. He loves wearing that costume much more than Ralphie did, and so we brought it with us to our holiday family photo shoot.  Apple Blossom Photography took the most amazing pictures of my sweet Ben in this crazy bunny suit, and these pics needed a special page all their own. I used the December 1st sketch from Stuck? Sketches for this single page layout.

I combined a Memo Fundamentals notebook paper with some (retired) Charlotte pink papers, Cranberry and Whisper Cardstock, and a bit of City Sidewalks holiday paper. I splattered some black watercolor over the notebook paper, and hand-wrote Ralphie's Christmas Theme onto the background. I diecut some snowflakes from silver glitter paper to go with the whisper snowflakes I stamped and then I embellished the snowflakes with lots of bitty rhinestones. I cut my title using the Flower Market Cricut cartridge font combined with some stamped words stolen from the February SOTM (sneak peek!). I finished with a lot of rhinestone embellished silver hand stitching and some American Crafts washi tape. I'm also linking this page up to the current issue over at Paper Issues.

Next up on the hop is SANDY'S BLOG. Happy Hopping!

DECEMBER SCRAPPING OUR STASH HOP:

Wendy Coffman

Sandy Ross

Majken Pullin

Lyne Schnable-Blodgett

Monthly Memories Club: Jeepers Creepers

I'm so excited for our next Monthly Memories Club! We are going to move away from the Halloween theme for all but one of the projects, but we are keeping all of the fun.

The next Monthly Memories Club meeting is going to be Friday, October 7th. The kits come with everything you need to complete three double page layouts and nine card fronts. You can complete these kits at home, at a crop, or if you are local you can come to our Monthly Club meeting where we we have fun creating our kits together.

I kept the intended Halloween theme for the first pages, using up those adorable monsters!

For the second set of pages I went in a ent-owl-ly different direction. The kit does not come with owls, but we will use kit items to make some super cute owls.

For the third set of pages we will get into this bold eyeball print. My amazing friend Amanda was the one who pointed out this paper would be awesome for eye doctor appointments, glasses, anything that makes your kid's eyes bug out, etc... 

You can download the CTMH version on this kit HERE for free! Or you can place your kit order here and I will email you my full color instructions for these projects complete with cutting guides, lots of pictures, and step by step instructions. If you are local to me, your kit purchase scores you that invite to our monthly crop night, where we create our kits together. Dinner is included, just bring your kit and favorite adhesive to join in the fun!

I want to be sure to have enough space and dinner for all...

So PLEASE RSVP to reserve your spot!

October 9th Monthly Memories Bring List:

JEEPERS CREEPERS I WANT IT ALL KIT (everything you'll need to complete as shown):

G1110 Jeepers Creepers Workshops Your Way Kit

Includes Jeepers Creepers Papers and Complements, 

5 sheets of cardstock (1 Pansy, 2 Whisper, and 2 White Daisy), 

Jeepers Creepers Washi Tape and Assortment

JEEPERS CREEPERS BASIC KIT (about $15, but you'll have to add cardstock, and these are very basic pages to add your own embellishments):  

X7211B Jeepers Creepers Paper Packet

X7211C Jeepers Creepers Complements

You'll need to add 2 sheets of White Daisy, 2 Sheets of Whisper, and 1 Sheet of Pansy Cardstock to complete the pages as shown. 

If you are attending in person, you can buy CS by the sheet from my Cash & Carry.

Scrapping Our Stash Blog Hop

Welcome to the Scrapping Our Stash monthly blog hop! In this hop you'll find creative project made entirely from items just hanging out in our stash of crafty goodies. You may be arriving here from CHRISTINE'S BLOG. Below this post you'll find a list of all the hoppers for this month.

This page for my Gilmore Girls My Crush Swap group may be one of my favorite things I've made this summer. Each flower was crafted from individual flowers cut on the Cricut. We send our Gilmore Girls crush books from person to person,c rafting pages for all the fans in our swap group! 

I topped each flower with a gold sequin and then filled the sequins with layers of orange glitter gel. It's so sparkly! Next up on the hop is MAJKEN'S BLOG. Happy hopping!

Wendy @ Stamping Rules - YOU ARE HERE! 

Majken

Alison

Wendi

Laura

Christine

Monthly Memories Calypso Scrapbooking Kit

Can you believe there are only FIVE days left to order your kit for next month's scrapbooking workshop! Five days until these adorable kits are no longer available...sniffle...

In September we are doing a double kit month at Monthly Memories. You have the choice of either Magical or this sweet, beachy Calypso kit. Both kits come complete with all the paper, cardstock, and embellishments to complete 6 pages and 9 card fronts! You can complete your kits at home, at a crop, or if you are local you can come to our Monthly Club meeting where we create our kits together.

I absolutely LOVE the cute pineapple and flamingo washi tapes that come in this kit. There are lots of fun little vellum diecuts and stickers, too. 

I've again altered the instructions that come with the CTMH Workshops Your Way kit to better fit my scrapping style. I kept the original cuts intact so you can chose which of the 12 page designs you want to create.

You can download the CTMH instructions HERE for free! Or you can place your kit order here and I will email you my full color instructions complete with cutting guides, lots of pictures, and step by step instructions. If you are local to me, your kit purchase scores you that invite to our monthly crop night, where we create our kits together. Dinner is included, just bring your kit and favorite adhesive, and join in the fun!

I want to be sure to have enough space and dinner for all...

So PLEASE RSVP to reserve your spot!

September 9th Monthly Memories Bring List:

CALYPSO I WANT IT ALL KIT (everything you'll need to complete as shown):

G1109 Calypso WYW Kit

Includes, Calypso Papers, Complements, 

4 sheets of cardstock (3 White Daisy, 1 Canary), 

Calypso Washi Tape and Magical Sequins

CALYPSO BASIC KIT (about $15, but you'll have to add cardstock, very basic pages so feel free to bring your own embellishments):  

X7210B Calypso Paper Packet

X7210C Calypso Complements

You'll need to add 3 sheets of White Daisy and 1 Sheet of Canary Cardstock to complete the pages.
If you are attending in person, you can buy CS by the sheet from my Cash & Carry.

Find Joy in the Journey Layout

One final piece of Inside Out art...this is my layout for this years convention art contest. I wanted to build the memory ball system from cardstock!

I Cricut cut a bazillion tiny 1/2 inch balls, which I individually  inked, pearlized with Wink of Stella and glittered. I cannot tell you how much I love these memory balls! I lined them up on glitter paper rows, and hand stitched between with silver thread. Then I added a swirl of bigger memory balls over top the rows of neatly stored memory balls. You can imagine the fun my kiddos and I had trying to take these silly emotion selfies!

Here you can see a bit more of the sparkle. My niece is the genius who pointed out to me that JOY is literally in the word Journey. I painted my title letters with layers of watercolor paints before adding the sparkle to make them match the tiny memory balls. I love working on an intricate layout like this. It gives you a lot of time to ruminate on a topic deeply, and I feel working on this layout really helped me to feel better about the moving and change I've experienced my whole life. Scrapbooking = cheap therapy!

I hope you find JOY on your Journey today, Stamping Friends!

Scrap Much?! Heart This Man Layout

So last year, when we still lived in Spokane, Becky Higgins Hide and Seek came to our town! I went out and about with Max that day, hoping that I'd be close by to wherever the stash was announced. My husband thought I was mildly nutty, and told me he had a busy morning of meetings so he could not "help me cover downtown." Ahem. Of course, when the post went live, I was fifteen minutes away at Michaels on the east side (priorities), and the drop was like 2 blocks from his office. I texted him my wail of grief, then set off for downtown in case no one else in Spokane was a) a scrapbooker and b) an instagrammer. John hopped off his meeting to trot over to the park and nabbed the prize. Even better (perhaps not in his world view, but still..) he got to meet Stacy Julian, who said that she knew he must be a scrapping husband by the way he entered the park (in his engineer wear) headed in a beeline for the Big Red Wagon with no child in sight. That's him on the Becky Higgins Insta feed, and he graciously shared "his" prize with me! 

I used so many lines for this week's new Scrap Much? sketch. There's some Crate Paper Confetti in there, some Simple Stories Heart, a bit of Authentique Woodgrain, plus gold foiled dot and chevron washi tapes. That diagonal woodgrain with the hints of aqua is so gorgeous! I'm linking this page up to the Paper Issues Into the Woods Issue.

My new favorite gold BoBunny Glitter paste joined in the fun too - it looks fab against that textured black cardstock! The Simple Stories stickers look like gold glitter too. I trimmed that diamond motif out of a 4x6 card. I also added some gold and black Fundamentals stickers. I used white pigment ink to stamp tiny letters onto the black glitter circles to complete my title. I finished off with a scattering of the teensiest gold Pretty Pink Posh sequins. 

Here's the sketch - now go forth and create!

My Gilmore Girls BFF

This is another page I did in my Gilmore Girls Crush Book swap. This book is the Bluebird book, and a lot of the My Crush line is less than five bucks on my website right now.

I added a big swipe of gold BoBunny glitter paste under the pre-printed photo frame. Then I layered on my journaling strips (1/4" strips are my fav!) and lots of doo dads from Zoe, Penelope, and the City Limits Instalife cards. 

I used my flat brush to add gold glitter paste around the edge of the photo, and lined the photo edge with teensy tiny Pretty Pink Posh sequins. I bought these bitty guys in black and gold up in Seattle, and I needs all the colors now! I've got scrapper's remorse now (sob!). When in doubt....buy the sequins, ok? 

Why I Became Close To My Heart Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's special hop, Why I Became a CTMH Consultant. We have 18 consultants sharing their story this month in honor of the Baby, I'm Worth It special. You might be arriving here from WENDY'S BLOG. Here's my story...

I made a scrapbook page with some of my favorite pics from Convention last summer (and one from the first convention) my team traveled to Disneyland with me. Each year we travel to Convention in a big group, having adventures together, and these ladies make the whole experience so much fun! I love our monthly team meetings too, but there's a special spot in my heart for traveling on these big trips together every year. I based my layout on the fab new sketch at Stuck ?! Sketches. 

I combined some Penelope line with the April SOTM and City Life Instalife cards. I did some hand stitching details using a combo of yellow and gold threads. I also added some fat swipes of my new BoBunny Glitter Paste, which I got on a field trip my team took to a scrap store before dinner in Seattle when we were there for a CTMH event recently. The background is watercolor paper splattered with lots of colors of watercolor paints. 

My journaling is reflecting back on how I joined CTMH. I never meant to be a CTMH consultant. I just wanted to buy extra paper, so the discount sounded great. I wasn't going to go to meetings or sell anything or (are you kidding me?) start a team. I only knew like three people since we'd just moved to Oregon. My first party was a disaster - not even the hostess showed up. I ended up stamping with the hostess's friend and her big, burly biker roommate dude who took pity on the poor nervous wreck trying to teach to a class of one, so he joined in for fun! Fourteen years later it turns out that the paper discount (while sweet!) is the least of what I've gained in joining CTMH. 

CTMH has given me confidence - in myself, my leadership skills, and my craft. It's also given me some of the best friends a gal could ask for, from my team, from my sidelines, and a whole community of amazing people who love crafting and making as much as I do. These ladies are my peeps. They craft with me. They laugh with me. They help me when I move, love my kids, and are always there for me. I am there for them too, because helping others to achieve their dreams is the best part of having a team. For me, CTMH is not about the dollars (though I'm super proud of them when they reach their goals), it's about the lasting connection we've built, all because we like to hang out and make pretty stuff together.         

That's why I'm happy to be CTMH, and my life is immeasurably better because one day fourteen years ago I just wanted to buy pretty paper at a discount. If you'd like to chat more about the extra rewards of joining the CTMH family this month, talk to your personal consultant or send me a note. Next up on the hop is MELINDA'S BLOG. Happy hopping!

Gilmore Girls Crush Book Cover Page

So I joined a little swap group of gals who love Gilmore Girls. I LOVE Gilmore Girls. I couldn't be more excited about the revival shows coming up. While Max wishes to move to Hogwarts, I'm a Stars Hollow girl through and through. 

So I joined a swap group where we all bought Crush Books (I chose Bluebird, which incidentally are on clearance on my website right now for less than $4. But I digress...). We are crafting pages in the books based on specific themes for each round of the swap, mailing our books person to person so we can create pages in each others Gilmore Girls books. For my cover page I wanted to kind of make a map of Stars Hollow like this one, including lots of my favorite Stars Hollow places.

 I used scraps of old B&Ts, print-outs of pics I found on google, and lots of ephemera that's been hanging out in my stash with no purpose. I made sure to include the bridge, which is central to one of my favorite Luke scenes, Kim's Antiques, and, of course, a big coffee cup for Luke's Diner.  I left a space at the bottom to add some journaling when my book makes it back around to me, full of scrappy goodness from my fellow GG loving friends.  I don't feel completely done with this page yet, but I had to mail it off on schedule so I had to stop.

I can admit that this book is a project that I totally do not need to add to my busy, busy life, and yet it makes me so very happy when I'm working on it. Unpacking, unschmacking, it's Gilmore Girls. Copper boom!

Scrap Much? Let It Snow Simple Stories Layout

Happy Friday, Stampin' Friends! Today is the release of another fabulous sketch over at Scrap Much?!

I have been hoarding this Simple Stories Snow Patrol line until I could get these particular pictures of my boys printed. I tried and tried to take good sledding pics of them, but everything was blurry or (of course) they weren't looking at me. Then I got clever, and had them each pose by flinging themselves onto the huge snowdrift next to the front porch where we piled all the snow as we shoveled the driveway. Ready? Action! Eye contact!!

Seriously, how can you not love this adorable snowman motif? Next time we build a snowman, he's going to be saying "YAY!" like this guy. I added a bit of Doodlebug doily and a Glacier Fundamentals wooden sign. I finished off the cluster with a combo of glitter dots ('cause I love glitter) and pewter stick on studs ('cause occasionally I gotta admit I'm scrapping boys). I stitched down my layout with four strands of metallic red embroidery thread mixed with a single strand of my favorite silver sewing thread for some extra sparkle. Make sure you poke the stitch holes really well with a foam mat if you try that - I super love how the thick stitch looks, but it's murder on the fingertips of you haven't pierced the holes big enough. I wanted to continue it around the layout edge like the sketch shows, but I couldn't bring myself to stitch over that lovely snowflake border...for now...

I trimmed another size of the adorable snowman out of one of the pocket scrapbooking cards included in my Snow Patrol pack. I wish he were a stamp! I actually had trimmed up another card to add a title when I realized I'd overlooked this beautiful scripty sticker title on the coordinating sticker sheet. 

 Don't you just love this sketch? If it inspires you too, make a page and hop over to Scrap Much? to link up your creation!