Life's Trivialities

The Good Life / Elle's Studio

I'm here to share an Elle's Studio layout with you today, it's release day and the May kit and add on's are AWESOME!! Treat yourself to a Mother's day gift, you won't regret it. Treat your Mom too while you're at it (and she is a memory keeper)!

Here's the May kit;

 

And the amazing add ons;

This was created using the above goodies;

I used several of the 3x4 cards and die cuts from the May kit and created some more complimentary 3x4 cards using the Beautiful Day 6x6 paper stack cut down to size. While the kit comes with a plethora of fantastic colors, I cannot scrapbook that way. I went opted to work with the yellow and salmon red as my primary color scheme. Each of the cards as something to attract your attention and provide visual interest.

A mix of Everyday Goodness Epoxy stickers and the Everyday Phrases Volume 2 Stamp are a nice compliment to the yellow faux washi tape on a 3x4 card in the May kit. I typed out my journaling. Sometimes I hand write, others, I type. Just depends upon the mood. When I have a limited space, like a 3x4 card, I prefer to type. There is a good mix in my albums of typed and handwriting so it's not like the kids will wish I had written more.

A sprinkling of the Hand Drawn Acrylic Hearts are scattered through out the layout. In the photo above, I use a heart to draw your eye to the Large Jane Alphabet stamped "S" for Suzanna. The yellow 3x4 card is a cut down piece of paper from the Beautiful Day 6x6 paper stack that I have stamped with the "happy moments documented" stamp from The Good Life stamp set. There are going to be plenty of upcoming pages with that stamp and the two like it utilized - it's such a versatile stamp. I love how it provides room for journaling or a date stamp. As I have done here.

I have always been a fan of Elle's Studio digital cut files and this months are no exception! This layout about fitting into a 16-17 year old dress that I haven't worn in that same time frame is about "the good life" that I have slowly been carving out for myself. Making some big changes and learning to feel good about myself again. This was a BIG moment for me.

As you can see, a spectacular milestone achieved for me and documented using the newly release Elle's Studio May kit and add on's. If you shop today the kit is only $9.99! There are lots of great elements for the "every day" or you can use them for spectacular milestones too!

Thanks for stopping in today! Happy shopping!

 

 

• Noted stamp
• 
• Price: $24.00

• May 2019 kit
• 
• Price: $9.99

• The Good Life stamp
• 
• Price: $14.99

• Everyday Goodness epoxy stickers
• 
• Price: $4.50

• Everyday Phrases Vol. 2 Stamp
• 
• Price: $14.99

• Beautiful Day 6 x 6 Paper Stack
• 
• Price: $5.50

 

 

Spring Favorites (Elle's Studio)

Two blog posts in one week, amazing given the previous drought! There's something about the added time of blogging that kills me, I'm going to be honest. The work that goes into creating the layout then all the editing and voice over of a process video is so time consuming that the extra twenty minutes to write about it is more than I can cope with some days. Let's face it, most days. But I know that y'all wanna see too so I'm trying to make a more concerted effort. Not everybody is into process videos, I get that. Trust me, I get that, I don't watch them myself... Shhhh!

I'm up over on the Elle's Studio layout that is an "Inspired By" layout. Be sure to stop by the Elle's Studio blog to see who inspired me and what her layout looks like. This really is a scraplift in that I used her asymmetrical grid design and placement of things, I just changed up the color scheme and product. It always amazes me how you can scraplift somebody and has it look so completely different. But the same at the same time.

If you don't follow Elle's Studio, you need to head over to the shop and check out the Large Jane Alpha options; there is a solid, striped letter, polka letters AND there are metal dies to accompany them - saves you from having to fussy cut them! A huge time saver! I layered the hot pink stripes over the yellow for the LG part of the title here. LG, in case you were wondering, is short for Lewis Ginter, the name of the botanical gardens we were at. There was no way that was going to fit on the 4x3 card so I opted for the initials.

The original layout had grid patterned paper as the background with one of the large Jane Alpha I's stamped all the way around the edge to create a border. I loved both so had to "go my own way" to make that work for the color scheme I had going on with this kit and layout. I used the Noted Stamp to create my own grid. It's far from perfectly aligned but I wasn't bothered by that. Most of the imperfections are covered and I like the way that the imperfect grid matches the imperfect stamping on our imperfect date. Instead of the “I” from the Large Jane Alpha Stamp that Daniela used for the inner border, I used two of the phrases with arrows from the The Details stamp set  with a coordinating yellow ink.

The way the yellow, pink and green pop the blue in the photos really makes me happy! It was such a gorgeous day and so special to see the cherry blossoms in bloom so early! It was/is also a bit of a milestone in the re-building of our marriage. Things went to hell pretty darn quickly and we have been working hard since January to learn to communicate again and reclaim the love lost. It's a work in progress but we're making it. Making the effort to do the small things that stopped happening that really are big things. And so the imperfections of the layout reflect the imperfections of life.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, depends who you ask, I don't have a process video to go with this layout. God definitely had a hand that, I truly believe. There's so much symbolism in this layout, the photo of us, the fact that the video didn't record... I can't explain it to you. It's been a crazy 2 and a half months, that's all I can say. I hope you are well and that you are nurturing your relationships and responding instead of reacting to life. Little lessons I've learned recently!

Take care!

Dreaded Coat / Elle's Studio / Sketch Inspired

Isn't she cute in her Christmas coat?! That "Dreaded Coat"?! LOL!!! This layout was created using a sketch and the bright vibrant January kit from Elle's Studio and add on's from this month. AND if you happen to find yourself in the market for some fresh new sketches, be sure to check out the sale on self-paced classes. You can find them HERE. The classes are 50% off (no coupon necessary) and the sale ends on January 26th. This sketch comes from the "From Sketch to Finish, Volume 4" class and there are 50! Yes, FIFTY sketches. The best part is, if you happen to have a bunch of 6x6 pads and 3x4 cards you need using up but want to create 12x12 layouts - these sketches are PERFECT!! You have to check it out!

Check out that scalloped border? I was pretty pleased with myself coming up with that little diddy! LOL! I used a stamp from the Noted stamp set , stamped it down the page and it creates the perfect "lazy woman's" scallop! And, it's perfect for journaling too! I love when you can find another use for something, don't you?

This layout was created entirely using 6x6 paper and the bits and pieces from the January kit and add on's, other than the 12x12 background piece. That easily, could have been just a white piece of cardstock that I stamped. Or left plain. And that acetate star? To die for!! LOVE them. I seriously, I know I've said it before, am going to need another pack.

It's not a perfect layout.... The border strips aren't lined up perfectly. But I bet you didn't notice that. Because of all the horizontal movement on the page, you don't notice it. Unless you are Type A, highlighted and bolded, as I am, with OCD tendencies... 

Be sure to check out the sale and if you are of the process video watching type, you might like this;

 

Thanks for stopping in today! See you next time!

Genuine / Elle's Studio Reveal Day

Today is reveal day over at Elle's Studio and I'm sharing my first project as a member of the design team! I LOVE the bright colors that are in each of the exclusive kits and add on's. If you are a memory keeper who likes it bright then you will definitely want to check these products out.

While the love theme is strong in this kit, it's not just love and the colors are more than the traditional red and pink. There are a wide variety of colors to choose from and you don't just have to document a love relationship. Next week I'll share a swimming layout that I created with this kit! In the red-blue color combo that you know I use ALL the time for these kiddos and their swimming (team colors).

It's not often that I type my journaling but with the typed numbers from the Noteworthy patterned paper as the background, it was only fitting. That pink heart and all the XO's were created using this month's digital cut files. I also love the variety of label sizes available in the print and cut files and you can ALWAYS use labels, they are a great shelf for titles so they don't float away, or layers behind photos. So many uses for labels!

Not going to lie, while these acrylic hearts (and stars in the package) are my FAVORITE part of the add on's, they were a bugger to figure out how to adhere. You can see the adhesive behind them in that photo above. The light wasn't great as I was filming so it was difficult to notice until I had natural light to take photos... The next time I use these, I do use my Ranger mini attacher and get much better results!

I have a process video for this layout on my YouTube channel which you can watch here; 

 

Thanks for stopping in today! Remember, if you have something about your layout that you don't like, walk away and come back at it with a fresh perspective. It's totally fixable!

 

Oh Joy / Christmas In July / Elle's Studio

A couple of my Stash Bash friends and I are putting a dent in printables this month. I don't really have printables in my stash but I have had this Silhouette file for ages and decided to put it to to good use. It's "printed", printed with a sketch pen in my Silhouette Cameo. It's not too far of a stretch I don't think.

I created some swag from which the ornaments could hang with stamps, manual die cut cuts and stamps. I thought it brought even more life to the sketched ornaments.

This collection from Elle's Studio is just the best! The thing about Elle's Studio is it's timeless. You can really use it today or ten years from now and still have it be "relevent".

 

Be sure to check out how Sara Scraps and Marcia used their printables. They might have actually used "real" printables! Thanks for stopping in today!

Home Sweet Home - Summer / Elle's Studio

Back in the Spring, I used a Cocoa Daisy kit to create a layout using the front of our house. I mentioned during the video that I thought it would be a neat idea to try and do the same for each season. Today, I'm sharing the summer edition of that "series"! I had just received the Elle's Studio "Family Fun" collection that I had ordered and was thrilled to find that there was a "Home Sweet Home" die cut that allowed me to carry over that tradition. Now I need for a manufacturer to create a fall and winter collection with the same sentiment for the next two layouts! Think you can make that happen for me?

I tried to copy as many elements as from the Spring layout as I could without forcing things. I was really lucky to find the top tag and sentiment that worked in a similar manner. The header and footers were easy enough to reproduce in a similar fashion as the original. A house subbed for the planter and I was able to easy create a tag for the summer layout.

It's easier to see the similarities and differences with each layout side by side. The toughest part of this wasn't the layout construction but rather, the picture. Matching roof colors and keeping the white balance was a challenge, one or the other had to be altered. You get the idea, more or less. I was able to preserve the proportions of the picture. That branch that comes down in the spring picture has been trimmed from the tree.

I changed the color scheme up to better enhance the colors of summer and reflect the difference in the seasons. I started with the blues and grey then added in the green. I liked the way the green tied in the lush greens of the picture.

The blue banner behind the top tag really popped the blue "sweet" in the title. I had to add a second strip below the black phrase in order to give more weight to the header and have this huge floating element on the page.

A little bit of white cardstock behind the phrase puffy sticker allowed me to use it without it getting lost on the page as that crisp, white edge gave a little pop and delineated the edges.

 

I hope you enjoy the process video! At the end of this video, I link you to the Spring edition in case you missed out on that! Thanks for popping in today! Stay tuned for the fall and winter editions!

Sibs / Creative Scrappers sketch / Paper Issues

I'm dropping in today with a quick share of a layout I created using Kristine's latest sketch over at Creative Scrappers, sketch #298. I am a huge fan of her sketches, they always help me to creative some of my favorite layouts. This is no exception. Throw in a fun cut file from Paper Issues (you can download it for free HERE) and the newest Christmas collection from Elle's Studio (also from Paper Issues) and I'm really pleased with the results!

I used two squares instead of the three that the sketch called for. It was just too much on the page otherwise. That's the beauty of sketches, interpreting them as you see fit.

Stars as the clustered embellies could have worked on this layout but I really wanted the holly and mistletoe die cuts that better complimented the Christmas theme. I used cut files from Kerri Bradford for that as well as some of the circle elements from the Elle's Studio collection to create the two embellishment clusters,

I toyed with the idea of some mist splatters or embossing paste on the background for more texture but decided against it. Less is more with the business of the words in the cut file. Even the diagonal stripes add busy movement to the page that really didn't need competition.

Puffy stickers! I heart puffy stickers!! While houses with Christmas collections are nothing new, these houses are so cosy and welcoming! I could move right in.

Thanks for stopping in today!

Celebrate / Elle's Studio / Large Photo Layout

To my fellow American's and semi-American's (such as myself), Happy Independence Day! I have a layout to share with you today as we celebrate the festivities of the long weekend. I have already begun documenting this years fun and frolicks. I find the sooner that I get these things documented, the more authentic the journaling.

I absolutely LOVE large photo layouts. And these goodies from Elle's Studio are just perfect to showcase Independence Day fireworks in the traditional red, white and blue. The 4th of July printable from Elle's Studio are free! You can find them HERE. I used scraps of the cards along the edge as well as for the journaling. I also used the color appropriate patterned papers and embellishments from the Sunny Days collection.

Stamps used (as seen above) are also from Elle's Studio from various past collections that I have gathered over the years. I just love that long vertical strip of strips and bits and pieces. It anchors the photo and mimics the bursts of fireworks.

I struggled with the white border around the photograph. Originally, my plan had been to create an 8.5x11 layout with the photo as the background paper. I printed the white border intentionally knowing that the matte paper I use would likely warp at the edges and my crisp black edges would be tainted. As layout construction continued, it just felt too crowded so I transitioned everything to a 12x12 format. The white border pops the picture from the background that mimics the night sky.

I hope your Independence Day celebrations have been fun and festive! We are planning on going to yet more fireworks tonight however our weather isn't looking great with the threat of thunderstorms. The evening should be okay but there is a high probably of storms in the afternoon. Whatever your plans, stay safe!

Scrapbook Generation's CREATE layouts

Did you see that the latest and greatest issue of Scrapbook Generations' CREATE magazine is out? Did you happen to catch that is also the LAST issue of this superb FREE magazine?!... :( I fully support Debbie and her writing and just know she will write an outstanding story. I can't wait to read it!

If you are looking for the full magazine, here's the link; http://issuu.com/sgcreate/docs/create_-_issue_17_-_november_2015/205?e=10435885/31412839

I have projects on pages 20, 64, 98 and 108 of this issue. Two layouts, a card and a tag. You will find them below. There are also 4 inspirational sketches created by Allison and Debbie in the magazine that are worth downloading!

The above layout is about using mixed media on your layouts with quick mini tutorials on the "how's" of what each of us did. I smooshed Faber Castell gelatos on my an acrylic block, misted it up and smooshed the color onto cardstock. The new Elle's Studio winter/Christmas collection colors are perfectly suited to this picture of Mia shoving Belle's reindeer antlers on her...

The above pocket page filled the bill for the color challenge. Not your typical Christmas colors but sublime for these pictures of Nikolas and I before heading out to the Holly Ball for Cotillion. The yellow'ish color I interpreted more as a yellow gold.

When it comes to sketches, I'm either literally or rather liberal! This card and the tag to follow I went rather literal. Not much variation. I am not much of a card or tag maker so literal works for me. The "Pumpkin Spice" collection from Simple Stories that I used above is just about one of my favorite Thanksgiving/fall collections of all time!

Some more great Simple Stories used to interpret another great tag sketch! I cut the tag size down so as to be able to use it in a pocket scrapping project, possibly even my December Daily this year.

Those are my CREATE creations for the November issue! Be sure to swing by the Scrapbook Generation site and check out the other amazing projects from the talented design team. Thanks for stopping in today!

Passion / American Crafts - Shimelle

Hey there folks! Just another "just cos" layout to share with you today. I took my big girl camera to the barn last week to capture some pictures of Mia doing what she is most passionate about. I got some really great shots for somebody who has never taken horsey pics before. Well, I'm pleased with them anyway. A recent scrappy shopping spree had arrived and amongst my new goodies was this American Crafts collection from Shimelle, True Stories. I just love the bright colors, right up my alley!

My initial vision and been to layer the wreath a bit more but it was just too busy. I tried using the negative of the cut out and backing it with patterned paper but that didn't show off the fun patterns in this collection. So ultimately, obviously, what you see is where I decided to stick things down and call them good.

That chipboard heart from the coordinating Thickers collection, though incredibly simple, just sums up how my heart feels looking at this picture! She SO loves those horses. Brady White is this particular horses' name. She loves riding him!

Love how well the stamped flowers from Elle's Studio coordinate with the flowers from the cut file. And, why did I not know about MFT hybrid ink pads before?! Love them! My new absolute favorite!!

I LOVE, love, love these Thickers! Okay, if I'm honest, it's not just these, I love all Thickers. But these are particularly awesome. I almost didn't buy them because I own the font and thought it would be fun to figure out my own print and cut letters. Because they just were so much easier to BUY!! Have you seen that graphic going around FB lately that says something about "why pay $5 when you spend $95 making it yourself?" or something? Yeah, I thought my sanity and $5 were the better option here!

What's your passion? I hope you have one. We all need a passion, at least something that makes your heart smile the way riding does for this kid and swimming does for her brother.

Have a grand day! Thanks for popping in!