Craft with Heart

My Craft with Heart subscription arrived today.  How exciting!

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Album Retreat 2017

Close to My Heart hosted an Album Retreat (my fourth) in Scottsdale, Arizona, this weekend.  I met these wonderful ladies at my first Album Retreat when they were kind enough to welcome me into their circle.  We keep in touch throughout the year and try to visit with each other when we can, but we REALLY look forward to when we can all gather together.

In addition to spending time with great friends, we also get to make some beautiful layouts, often learning or at least practicing new techniques.

And of course there's always time for some photo ops!

Not-So-Spooky Boo

While I don't take many Halloween photos, I do like to decorate for Halloween.  I used our Cats & Bats Collection to create this cute Boo sign.

Supplies:

• Cats & Bats Paper Packet
• Cats & Bats Complements
• Adventure Ribbon Pack (Z3362)

Brave & Strong Photo Frame

After our family trip to Lake Tahoe, I wanted to display a photo of the kids.  Jack was the perfect collection to coordinate with the photo. 

Supplies:

• Jack Paper Packet
• Jack Coordinating Cardstock
• Jack Complements
• Black & White Dots (Z3314)

You Make My Heart Smile Magic Layout

For the 2017 Close to My Heart Convention, I entered the layout contest.  The theme for Convention was "Who Tells Your Story".  I used the Magician's Choice sketch from the Magic Scrapbooking Program to show photos of my furkids both happy and during a struggle each experienced, along with journaling my experiences with each of six dogs. 

This element on the top of the right page is held closed with a ribbon but opens out to an accordian "mini-album" full of hidden journaling and photos.

Supplies: 

• No Worries Paper Packet (X7220B)
• No Worries Complements (X7220C)
• No Worries Coordinating Cardstock (X7220D) 
• No Worries Sequins (Z3322)
• White Burlap Ribbon (Z3323)
• Magic Scrapbooking Program

Tokyo DisneySea Little Dreamer Magic Layout

Last December I had the (brief) opportunity to go to Tokyo DisneySea, which was celebrating its 15th (crystal) anniversary.  The color palette for Little Dreamers worked fabulously with my photos.  I used a Magic layout in order to maximize photos but also allow for journaling.  All of the photos lay flat

but two of the photos slide up to reveal journaling.

Close-ups of the sliding elements:

The Magic layouts can be used without the Magic elements, as shown here.

Supplies:

• Little Dreamer Paper Packet (X7219B)
• Little Dreamer Coordinating Cardstock (X7219D)
• Little Dreamer Complements (X7219C)
• Little Dreamer Glitter Gems (Z3321)
• White Shimmer Trim (Z3024)
• White Daisy Cardstock (1385)
• 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)
• Magic Scrapbooking Program

Always Be a Unicorn

The new catalog is LIVE!!!

At the Seasonal Expressions 2 Launch Event, we made two cards using the super-sweet Little Dreamer collection.  And unicorns are so very on-trend!

Supplies:

• Little Dreamer Paper Packet (X7219B)
• My Acrylix® Little Dreamer—Cardmaking Stamp Set (C1677)
• Little Dreamer Complements (X7219C)
• Little Dreamer Coordinating Cardstock (X7219D)
• White Daisy Cardstock (1385)
• Thistle Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2840)
• Lagoon Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2895)
• Blossom Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2810)
• Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z4189)
• Whisper Thick Twine (Z3095)
• Black & White Dots (Z3314)
• White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack (X254)
• 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)

Sweet Pupcake Birthday Magic Layout

Scrapbooked my little pupcake's birthday celebration using the Sugar Rush collection and the Showtime sketch from the Magic Scrapbook Program.  The "Birthday Girl" photo on the upper left conceals flaps that open to allow for up to an additional eight (8) photos.

Supplies:

• Sugar Rush Paper Packet
• Sugar Rush Complements
• Magic Scrapbook Program

Welcome Home Wreath Kit

Put together the Welcome Home wreath kit with my mom for her craft area.  

We used the Clear Shimmer Brush on some of the flower petals for added texture.  Liquid Glass is a strong, quick-drying adhesive that's very effective in assembling dimensional flowers.

Supplies:

• Welcome Home Wreath Kit (CC1210)
• Clear Shimmer Brush (Z3293)
• Liquid Glass (Z679)

Just to Say - Workshop My Way

I love Close to My Heart's Workshops Your Way™:  great artwork and so easy to put together.

This month we thought it would be fun and interesting to add some other CTMH embellishments to the Just to Say cards.  In addition to the contents of the Workshop Your Way cardmaking kit, we used Sea Glass Exclusive Ink, Whisper Thick Twine, Grey Enamel Gems, Aqua and White Shimmer Trim, Black Cardstock, and Silver Foil Tape (unfortunately it looks like black tape in the photos).

Supplies: 

• Just to Say Workshops Your Way™ Cardmaking Kit (Z3254)
• Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z3271)
• Blossom Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2810)
• Raspberry Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2812)
• Whisper Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2872)
• Thin 3-D Foam Tape (Z2060)
• Sea Glass Exclusive Ink (Z2813)
• Whisper Thick Twine (Z3095)
• Grey Enamel Gems (Z3089)
• Aqua Shimmer Trim (Z3086)
• White Shimmer Trim (Z3024)
• Silver Foil Tape (Z3130)
• Black Cardstock (1386)

Best Day Ever Parlor Layout

I’ve used the Enchantment paper and the Parlor sketch from the Magic Scrapbook Program (without the Magic) to remember a seemingly ordinary moment of my dogs hunting chipmunks on our morning walks.  They do this most mornings, but it’s something that’s entertaining for all of us and that I won’t want to forget. 

  

The rich saturated colors of the Enchantment palette offset the neutral tones of Comet, Halley, and the field, allowing the photos to pop out.  I cut apart some of the Complements to make the title.  Even though the Complements are school-themed, they can be applied to non-academic layouts.  

Supplies: 

• Enchantment Fundamentals Paper Packet (Z3254)
• Fern Cardstock (X5777 or X5781)
• School 7-12 Complements (Z3266)
• Magic Scrapbook Program (9040)

Check out the Magic version of this layout in the Pemberley Magic Layout from May of 2012.  

Sweet & Simple Get Better Soon Card

I wanted to show how well the Fundamentals can be used with the seasonal paper packs.

This is the Sweet & Simple design from the Originals Card Confidence Program.  I made this card with paper from the Swan Lake paper packet, the Rustic Home Fundamentals paper packet, and the Enchantment Fundamentals paper packet.    The sentiment is stamped in Peacock ink on White Daisy cardstock.  

Supplies: 

• Swan Lake Paper Packet (X7212B)
• Enchantment Fundamentals Paper Packet (Z3254)
• Rustic Home Basic Fundamentals Paper Packet (Z3262)
• School K-6 Complements (Z3265)
• Get Better My Acrylix® stamp set (B1543)
• Peacock Exclusive Inks™ stamp pad (Z2849)
• White Daisy cardstock (1385)
• White Cards and Envelopes (X254)
• Originals Card Confidence Program (9036)

Adventure Fundamentals Magic Layout

I made this layout as the Grand Prize for my Fundamentals Facebook workshop.  It's the Charmed layout from the Magic Scrapbook Program.  The four photo blocks on the right page actually open up to allow for eight additional photos.

I used the Adventure Fundamentals paper and a bit of the Rustic Home Fundamentals.  This layout also includes embellishments from the Good Life Complements and the Adventure Fundamentals Ribbon Pack.  The tabs for the photo flaps are made with glitter cardstock pennants from the Good Life Complements and ribbon from the Adventure Fundamentals Ribbon Pack.  

Supplies: 

• Adventure Fundamentals Paper Packet (Z3253)
• Rustic Home Basic Fundamentals Paper Packet (Z3262)
• Good Life Complements (Z3264)
• Adventure Fundamentals Ribbon Pack (3286)
• Bamboo Cardstock (1301 or X5922)

Pocket Scrapbooking

I made this layout for my first Facebook event.  These photos are from our excursion aboard the Margaret Todd while we were staying in Bar Harbor, Maine. I used ink daubers to apply ink to the Watercolor and Journaling cards.  (Never having been particularly "artistic", I'm still struggling with the watercolor paints.)  I did cut a couple of the "cards" from the Florence scrapbook paper, so if they don't all look like the PML cards in the paper packet, that's because a couple of them are just a 6” × 4” and a 4” × 3” piece of scrapbook paper.    

Remember to apply embellishments in odd numbers to make them more visually appealing.  I was concerned that all of the flowers might make the layout too girly for my handsome puppy, but fortunately that doesn't seem to be the case.

Supplies: 

• Florence Paper Packet (X7208B)
• Florence Complements (X7208C)
• Florence Sequins (Z3213)
• Picture My Life™ Overlays – White Frames (Z3283)
• Picture My Life™ Watercolor Cards – Clear (Z3221)
• Picture My Life™ Watercolor Cards – Gold (Z3217)
• Picture My Life™ Tabbed Journaling Cards (Z3278)
• Poppy Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2652)
• Peacock Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2649)
• Flaxen Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2642)

Florence Magic Layout

I made this layout as the Grand Prize for my first Facebook party.  It's the Enchantment layout from the Magic Scrapbook Program.  There are two "file folders" that will allow you to add four hidden photos or journaling blocks.  

I love that the B&T papers have both subtle and bold patterns - this layout incorporates five (5) of the patterns in the Florence Paper Packet.  I used the cardstock for the file folders as well as photo mats, especially since I was giving this layout away.  (I wanted to make sure they knew where the photos were intended to go.)  

Supplies: 

• Florence Paper Packet (X7208B)
• Florence Complements (X7208C)
• Florence Sequins (Z3213)
• Poppy Cardstock (X5779 or X5781)
• Peacock Cardstock (X5776 or X5781)

Base and Shade and Generational Stamping

Birthday card for a friend made using base and shade and generational stamping techniques.  Used La Vie en Rose paper, Blossiming Expressions stamp set with Hollyhock, Pomegranate, Fern, and Black ink, and Pixie, Pomegranate, Hollyhock, and White Daisy cardstock.

Keep It Simple

Sometimes it's better to keep things simple.  This card used the Stamps of Approval stamp set with Fern ink.  Also used Charlotte B&T paper, Whisper and Fern cardstock. 

Scrapbook Style: Distressed - Clementine Layout Workshop

With the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book, I revised my basic layout classes to focus on different styles and techniques.  We started with the distressed style, incorporating crumpling, sanding, and inking, utilizing the Clementine paper and embellishments on the

The Saddle cardstock pieces were dampened, crumpled, straightened, dried, sanded, and inked with Saddle ink.  The Sorbet B&T paper pieces and the Twilight cardstock pieces were all sanded.  The Twilight cardstock was inked with Twilight ink.  The Flowered B&T paper pieces were inked with Saddle ink using the Sea Sponge Texture Tool.

Supplies:

• Clementine Paper Packet
• Clementine Complements Canvas Shapes
• Twilight Cardstock
• My Acrylix Casual Expressions
• My Acrylix Buttons, Bits, and Bobs
• My Acrylix Cocktail Alphabet
• Cricut Artiste Cartridge
• Sanding Kit
• Texture Tools

Cruisin' Magic Layout Club

For July, we used photo page protectors hinged onto our layout to add more photos.  This layout incorporates the Cruisin' paper and embellishments for the Out of the Hat sketch from the Magic How-To Scrapbooking Program.

Here's the right page with both flaps open.

Here's the reverse side of the bottom flap.

And the reverse side of the top flap.

Supplies:

• Cruisin' Paper Packet
• Cruisin' Complements Silver Foil Images
• Bottle Caps
• My Acrylix Cocktail Alphabet
• Memory Protectors Photo Storage Page
• Hinges