Easy 3-D Effects

Ever wanted to turn a flat Cricut^® shape into a 3–D element but didn’t know how? Watch this video from CTMH to learn how easy it is to create beautiful 3–D embellishments from flat Cricut^®–cut shapes. From banners to embellishments on a scrapbook page to anything in between, we’ll show you how! It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3–D!


This is such a simple technique, but brings major impact!  The heart garland is adorable, and I LOVE the idea of using the filmstrip Cricut^® shape to make a mini photo book. I have so many new ideas floating around in my head now.....time to go CREATE!

Frosted Layout

With all these snow days we've had lately, I decided to pull out my Frosted Paper and scrapbook some of our pictures from last year!  My son had just turned 3 when these pictures were taken, and it was really the first time he'd been able to enjoy the snow.  His older sister was teaching him how to make snowballs, catch snow on his tongue and make a snow angel.  The sentiment from this stamp set, "Simple Pleasures are Priceless Treasures," is a perfect title for these memories!

I used the basic pattern from the Frosted Workshop on the Go Kit, but changed a couple details to make it my own.  I swapped out the blue wreath paper for the slate snowflake paper, and changed around a couple of the embellishments.  I am known for taking WAY too many pictures, so narrowing down to just 6 was impossible for me!  I decided to resize a couple so that I could fit two on several of the photo mats.  This allowed me to incorporate my top 10 pictures into this one layout.  Here is the original CTMH artwork.

The title shape was cut using the CTMH Cricut Artiste Cartridge.  I then stamped the sentiment right onto the shape (a piece of cake since the blocks and My Acrylix stamps are see-through, allowing for perfect placement).  I used the clear adhesive-backed sparkles to make my snowflakes a little fancier!  The blue snowflake border was also cut using the Artiste Cartridge.

I changed the placement of the snowflake and flourish on the right-hand page because I just felt that bottom corner needed something!  Popping the snowflakes up on the 3-D foam tape gives them dimension and allowed me to tuck the corner of the flourish under the snowflake.   

The Frosted Paper Pack and Workshop on the Go Kit will both be retiring at the end of this week!  Visit my website and order by Friday, January 31st, to get yours! 



Studio J Digital Scrapbooking - Adventures in the Creek

 

I have been busy discovering CTMH's digital scrapbooking software, Studio J!  It is so straightforward and user friendly, that it didn't take long to make this layout of my kids playing in our backyard last spring. 

 

 

If you're not familiar with Studio J, let me introduce you!  It is completely free to use the software - you only need internet access.  All content and features are available to you from the start so you'll never have to purchase new kits, accessories, etc.  You design away and only pay per layout.  I chose to have my layouts printed through CTMH, but you can also download the files and print them on your own. After approving my layouts, I clicked purchase and they were sent to the printer.  I did that on Monday evening and received an e-mail Wednesday morning telling me they are on their way! 

 

The best value when using Studio J is to purchase a 5-pack.  The cost is $39.95 and includes 5, 2-page layouts (so 10-12x12 pages) created and delivered to your door.  Shipping is already included in that price!

 

There are two options when designing your pages.  The Express Collection is predesigned and you just pop your photos in and you're done!  I chose to go with the custom layout option.  You start by selecting your kit (the papers and their coordinating embellishments) - there are over 100 to choose from!  Because of the purple and blue in my daughter's dress, I selected the Sarita kit.  The next option is to select your pattern (this is the basic layout of the page).  There are about 90 to choose from, but I narrowed it down by having the program show me the options for layouts using 9 pictures.  This provided me with 6 options.  I chose the one I liked best and was shown 3 different versions of that layout using different combinations of the paper I selected. That whole process took just a few minutes and I had the basic framework for my page.

 

Then, the fun began!  I added pictures in the photo boxes, added embellishments (the pennant banner, buttons, arrow, quotes), and tweaked the background colors a bit to better fit my style.  I loved using this option of the Studio J because I wasn't entirely creating a page from scratch, but had the flexibility to change things around and make it my own! 

 

If you are a digital scrapbooker, or have been considering giving it a try, head on over to Studio J to try it out - there is no cost to use the software.  You will have to create an account if you want to save or print any pages, but for now, you can just sign on as a guest to play around a bit!  There is also a whole page of tutorial videos showing you how to use different aspects of the program if you get stuck or want to try a new technique.  Enjoy!!

January Workshop - Photo Memory Game

Almost every one of us has played the game Memory at one point in our lives, either as children or as an adult playing with another child.  In January's workshop, come create a personalized Photo Memory game for someone you love.  Not only is this a great activity with your own children, but this would make a great gift for another special child in your life.  This set makes a great baby shower gift too!  While babies are not yet old enough to "play" the game, the cards are great for babies to look at and recognize people and pets who are part of their lives.

Inside the adorable storage box, you will find 24 - 3" x 3" cardboard tiles.  This allows you to create 12 pairs of pictures. 

You decide what type of pictures you'd like to use - close-ups, scenery shots, action shots, etc.  I used close-ups of family members (including grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, etc.).  The set that I created uses the Polka-dot side of the Babycakes paper set for the back of the cards.  If you prefer, the paper flips over to the alphabet print shown above.

My daughter had fun just flipping over the cards trying to find matches without formally playing the game.  Here she discovered the match for her cousin!

 The two canine members of our family reserved their own spots in our Memory game as well!

 

The cost for this workshop is $20 and includes 24 tiles, storage box and all materials to decorate your box and tiles.  All paper will be precut and ready to assemble. 

 

This workshop will be held on Thursday, January 23rd at 8 PM.   Light refreshments will be provided.  Space is limited, so purchase your kit today to reserve your space!  The RSVP and payment deadline is January 14th to ensure timely arrival of all materials.  You will receive a confirmation e-mail within 48 hours of your payment.

 

Not local to the area, contact me to purchase the kit (with an added fee for S & H) so you can create your own version at home!  I am happy to help you out via e-mail or phone with any questions you may have.

January Parent & Me Workshop - Mini Accordion Scrapbook

I'm excited to announce January's Parent & Me Workshop - a mini accordion scrapbook album.  This is a great introduction to scrapbooking for children.  The album is 6" x 6" and unfolds to approximately 24".  When unfolded, the album can stand on its own to be displayed. 

 

The album uses the Chantilly Paper and accessories for a fun floral look.  My daughter designed our album as a Mom & Me book, but this can be done with almost any theme - cousins, sisters, friends, etc.  When folded together, a beautiful deep red ribbon keeps the album closed.

Here are the first four pages of the unfolded album.  Once again, my daughter helped design the pages of this album.  I provided her with choices, and she selected what color paper to cut the cricut shapes out of, which stamps (all are from the Happy Thoughts stamp set that coordinates with the Chantilly paper) and ink colors to use, and where to adhere her embellishments.

The other four pages of the album. 

Just to give you an idea of the thickness of the album, the front and back covers are heavy duty cardboard.  This protects the album from become bent, and also allows it to stand on its own when unfolded.

Here are a few pictures of my daughter creating her scrapbook album.  Here she is adhering the letters to her cover page.  The title can be altered based on the theme of your book.

She carefully stamped the leaf image on the corner piece.  I had in mind to use the small flower shape, but she wanted to use the leaf image.  It turned out much better than my suggestion :-)  Once again, CTMH's My Acrylix stamps and blocks allow for easy placement of stamped images - very kid friendly!

She selected the flying blue bird embellishment, from the Chantilly Dimensional Elements pack, for the corner of her picture.

Once all her pages were designed, she spent some time deciding placement within her album.  She put serious thought into what pictures and papers looked best next to each other!

 

The cost of this workshop is $20 and includes a 6" x 6" accordion scrapbook, all materials needed to decorate the scrapbook (all papers will be pre-cut), and use of stamps and inkpads.  Some embellishments may vary in color or shape.  You will need to bring 8 pictures that can be trimmed (or are pre-trimmed) to 4" x 4" size. 

The workshop is designed for children ages 6 & up along with their caregiver, and will be held on Sunday, January 26th at 2:00pm.  Light refreshments will be provided. Space is limited, so purchase your kit today to reserve your space!  The RSVP and payment deadline is January 14th to ensure timely arrival of all materials.

Not local to the area, contact me to purchase the kit (with an added fee for S & H) so you can create your own version at home!  If you'd like to add the stamped images to your scrapbook, the stamp set and ink must be purchased separately.  I am happy to help you out via e-mail or phone with any questions you may have.

Scrapbooking Fundraiser to Benefit Discovery Junction Children's Museum

I serve on the board for the Discovery Junction Children's Museum, a local emerging museum.  We are working to bring a fun and interactive learning experience to Prince William County, Virginia.  Please check out our web page for more information: http://www.discoveryjunction.org/  We also have a Facebook page - like us to follow our journey!

I have teamed up with representatives from Ahni & Zoe as well as Heritage Makers to host a fundraising crop to benefit DJCM.  Please contact me for more information!