Riding Balloons on the Paper Trail

You're on the the Paper Trail Blog Hop, if you've hopped from Trisha's blog.  What a way to travel around the globe!  I thought the Balloon Ride papers would be difficult to use but I was surprised to find how easy and flexible Close to My Heart's colors and design choices work together.  I created two cards, each using a different stamp set but still focused on one central image.  Amazing how different each card looks.

I know you will want to see even more inspiring work hopping to Betsy's blog.  If you want details for any of these pieces of artwork or others you see in this hop, feel free to email me!

Ariana on the Paper Trail

Close to My Heart's Ariana Paper Pack is the feature of this month's blog hop along the Paper Trail.  If you're coming from Connie's blog you're headed down a great path and some beautiful artwork.  I started a new scrapbook (album) a couple of months ago and needed a one page introductory page.  I love using one main for 2-3 smaller photos for the first page of my albums.  Last month, my mom came to visit and we took her to breakfast.  It was a great opportunity to capture her smile and with my title, I had a nice first one page layout.

The page is really very simple and used up lots of scraps, the best one pagers!

Close to My Heart Supplies

Ariana Paper Pack

Ariana Compliments

Sorbet Cardstock

Sorbet Ink

Black Ink

Paper Fundamentals Basic Assortment

Crystal Blue Cardstock

 Framework Alphabet

Vogue Alphabet

Black and Grey Epoxy Bubbles

Lagoon Houndtooth Washi Tape

Burlap Ribbon

Cricut Artbooking Collection

You can see even more great Ariana artwork one the Trail by hopping over to Betsy's blog.

See you on the Trail next month!

Paper Trailing Down Ivy Lane

If you are coming from Linda's blog, you know this month's Paper Trail blog hop is featuring the wonderful Ivy Lane paper theme from the new Close to My Heart Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book.  It's a richly colored theme that includes pinks, purples, and greens accented by a soft natural beige.  While Close to My Heart created a romantic feel for the paper with the artwork featured in the idea book, I noticed turquoise being worn in the photos and decided to highlight the bright color using lagoon on the layout.  I have to beg forgiveness on the photos!!!!  I used Flip Flaps to expand the page but what a challenge to get a photo of the whole layout both opened and closed.  I have such a new appreciation for the photo rooms and expensive cameras, now.  (OK, and I have to admit that while I have patience for scrapping and teaching, I don't have it for photography...LOL)  Any hoot, you'll get an idea of the possibilities using Flip Flaps to add more photos to a layout, the idea of using photos to tell a story, and the ease of adding additional colors to a paper pack.  Then, to get inspired more for Ivy Lane, hop on over to Betsy's blog to see how she used these wonderful colors and patterns.
  

Here a photo of the Flip Flaps closed.

And here is the whole layout with both Flip Flaps open.  The left is a 8" X 12" flap and the right side has a small 3.5" X 3.5" flap to hold one more photo and the journaling.

And here is the whole layout with both Flip Flaps open.  The left is a 8" X 12" flap and the right side has a small 3.5" X 3.5" flap to hold one more photo and the journaling. 

Close to My Heart Supplies

Ivy Lane Workshop on the Go

(includes cardstock, coordinated embellishments, stamp set, and project how-to brochure)

Ivy Lane Complements

Aqua Dots

Pink Glitter Gems

Flip Flaps small assortment and 12" assortment

Glitter Paper pink

Blush Cardstock

Smokey Plum Cardstock

Lagoon Cardstock

Cricut Artbooking Collection

Cricut Artiste Collection

Cricut Art Philosophy Collection

Frosted on the Paper Trail

I love this paper.  If you have arrived here from Betsy's blog, you are on the Paper Trail Blog Hop.  This month we are featuring the lovely, cool Frosted from Close to My Heart.  The paper combines cool blues and greys with the softness of off white.  I used the pattern/layout, colors, and ideas featured in the Workshop on the Go paper pack and then added Ponderosa Pine to give the layout a more nature look and less Christmassy feel.  I loved how you can use the layout included in the kit as an inspiration to jump into your own ideas.  Continue to "hop" along the trail and head over to Tracey's Blog for more Frosted creativeness!

Paper Trail Goes Huntington

This month the Paper Trail Blog Hop features the wonderfully elegant Huntington.  If you are hopping from Karen, you already know about the rich, autumn tones used in this paper pack.  My intention was to do something non "Fall" with these beautiful papers but alas, they compelled me to look over my family Thanksgiving albums.  While these photos are not the wonderful quality of our now professional family photographers, they are dear to my heart and speak of our traditional family gatherings and fit in albums I'm building.  (Yeah, albums.........I have six albums with over 30 double sided layouts and have started Number seven.  I don't scrap in order and I only start a new book when the books get too heavy to lift.  I never worry about archival quality products or thickness of my layouts.  I just record the moments, people, and love.)  So, back to 2009 Thanksgiving.  My family traditionally gathers every Thanksgiving and have typically have five to 32 for dinner.  The more the merrier.  Kids go off to college, babies are born, people are married, cousin come into town, there are dueling turkeys, different venues, different themes, dozens of pies, and always family love.  So this is 2009, amateur photos and all.  If you want to be inspired by more, follow the trail to Connie's blog.

Close to My Heart Supplies

Huntington Workshop on the Go

Exclusive Colors:  Barn Red, Cocoa, Goldrush, Olive, Autumn Terracotta, Saddle, Cashmere, Desert Sand, Champagne, Olive, Slate, Chocolate

Count Your Blessings Stamp Set

Swirls Around Stamp Set

You Are My Happy Alphabet 

Poster Tidings Stamp Set

Sparkles Brown and Tan

Mini-Medley Accents Collection: Wooden

Make It From Your Heart Volume 2 - #14

Surf's Up on the Paper Trail Blog Hop.

This is our monthly circle blog hop called Paper Trail.  If you landed here from Karen's blog, you're surfin' on a very creative wave.  Since this is a circle blog, if you are still looking for more inspiration, keep following the links in the blogs and you'll end up back here. 

This month's Paper Trail feature is a fun, happy, retro-ish, bold patterned Surf's Up.  I was so lucky to have authentic photo's from the family's 2010 Hawaii Christmas visit with great shots of the family learning to surf with our second cousin, who actually lives in Hawaii for it's surf.  All products used in this layout are from Close to My Heart and easy for you to purchase by clicking the links to my shopping cart on the right. 

Close to My Heart

X7168B  Surf's Up Paper Packet

1388 Colonial White Cardstock

X5762 Lagoon Cardstock

C1531 Tropical Paradise Stamp Set

Z2195  Lagoon Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2123 Goldrush Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2145 Ponderosa Pin Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2164 Sorbet Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2192 Pacfica Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z1777 Canvas Alphabet

9035 Made It From Your Heart Volume 1

Continue along the trail by surfin' on over to Vicki's blog.  Check back here often this summer for more fresh artwork! 

Paper Trail is Featuring Versatile Claire

If you hopped here from Vicki's Blog, you have already seen how lovely the Close to My Heart Claire papers using a fabulous shades of red.  I pulled out the Magic how-to book by Jeanette Lynton featuring interactive layouts and tried the Revolving Door.  What fun it was!  It does take a little planning to get the photos lined up with the pie shapes under the circle but once you have them cut and assembled what fun!!!!  I used photos of my nieces from our family's 2010 winter vacation to Hawaii. Aren't the girls beautiful!  I know you fill find more stunning Claire artwork on Karen's blog!

All Supplies are Close to My Heart

Claire Paper Pack

Girls Rock Stamp Set

Scrapbook Statements-Poets Stamp Set

Claire Assortment

Pink Glitter Gems

Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon

Keyboard Kraft Alphabet

Dimensional Elements: Notable Alphabet

Glitz Glitter Gel: Pink

CTMH Exclusive Inks: Outdoor Denim, Sorbet, Blush, Smoothie, Cotton Candy, Hollyhock, Bamboo, Desert Sand, Cashmere, 

Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

CTMH Magic by Jeanette Lynton 

I know you fill find more stunning Claire artwork on Karen's Blog!

Paper Trail is Buzzing and Bumbling

This month our little group focused on the fabulously versatile Close to My Heart Buzz and Bumble Paper Pack featuring soft tans, creamy light yellows, and smooth peachy orange.  The paper patterns give choices or stripes, bumble bees, soft old newspaper, and adaptable light geometric patterns.  If  you hopped here from Betsy's blog, you have already seen how easy it is to use these fabulous papers.

Buzz and Bumble perfectly coordinates with the photos of my great grandmother's sepia photos.  She was a lovely woman and we have great stories about her.  We have wonderful stories of her and everything I have heard about her tell of a lovely graceful women who tragically lost family members too soon, loved to garden, and was an excellent mother.  I wanted to combine the so trendy hexagon shapes with the antique photos while showcasing this beautiful woman.  CTMH features the paper with several wonderful stamp sets and accessories:  Honeycomb stampset, Brown & Tan Glitter Paper, Keyboard Kraft Alphabet, Brown & Tan Sparkles Assortment, Durables Artisan studs, and cute Buzz and Bumble Assortment of adhesive backed wooden accessories.  I used the Pattern 2 from the CTMH publican Make It From Your Heart, a wonderful book full of scrapbook and card patterns and ideas.  I listed the recipe for this layout below.

Buzz and Bumble Heritage Layout Recipe

Buzz and Bumble Paper Pack

Scholastic Paper Packet

Cocoa Ink 

Champagne Ink

Desert Sand Ink

Sorbet Ink

Goldrush Ink

Creme Brulee Ink

Sunset Ink

Honeycomb Stamp Set

Buzz and Bumble Assortment

Durables Artisan Studs

Sparkles Brown and Tan Assortment

Opaques Adhesive Gems Mocha

Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Keyboard Kraft Alphabet

Canvas Alphabet

Glitter Paper Brown & Tan

Kraft Cardstock

Cricut Artist Cartridge

Adhesive Back Twill (retired)

At the last minute, I needed a quick gift for the Oscar's party a friend was hosting and a birthday gift for a co-worker.  I had all the my Buzz and Bumble materials out and I grabbed last month's Stamp of the Month: Home Sweet Home to make these very, very quick wine bottle tags inspired by Tamara Pope's tags I found on Pinterest.  I used all the exact same supplies: accessories, paper pack, colors, Artiste cartridge, and adding a little Baker's Twine to create a total different look and more importantly gifts in 30 minutes!

If you are ready to see more buzzing inspiration, hop on over to Amy's blog and see what spin she has put on this fabulous paper pack!

September Paper Trail Blog Hop: Moonlight

If you arrived here from Lynne's Fields of Finery blog, you are on the Paper Trail September Blog Hop.  This month's paper feature is the wonderful Moonlight with its wonderful fall color pallet and supported by the neutral Black and Colonial White.  It's perfect for Halloween, as I used it, but is also versatile and will be available until January 31, 2013 (wow, that number feels weird!).  I loved my granddaughter's costumes from 2010.  Every year they do something spectacular and I can't wait to see what they do this year, now that our little Katie is 5.  Don't you love the sparkly spider web cut from the Artiste cartridge?

I am loving Studio J and wanted to try to do a real comparison between digital scrapping and traditional paper cutting, stamping, and embellishments so I took the same photos to do a second layout using Studio J to compare.  Which do you like better?

Which do you like better?

Ready for more inspiration?  Hop over to Wizard's Hangout and see what Vicki is brewing up!  

Paper Trail for August 2012

Welcome to the Paper Trail for August!  If you arrived here from Linda's blog, you know you are in for a treat as the month of August is always a treat!

Can you believe it?  The new Close to My Heart Fall/Winter 2012 is finally here!  I have my hands on lots of new goodies and am truly in love with more new things than any book before!  I have several books, if you are interested, just drop me a note or you can view the entire book online if you follow the link of my shopping cart on the right.

Though I'm busy prepping for my son's big wedding on Saturday, I found time to quickly put together this little book for a friend at school.  When I say quick, I'm not kidding!!!  Using the Cricut Artiste cartridge, the new western themed paper called Dakota, and a few stamps, I put this together in less than an hour.  It's so cute!

Materials

Dakota Paper Pack

Rugged Dude Stamp Set

Approved Stamp Set

It's Your Day Stamp Set (Special Double Set Special starting August 15)

Cricut Artiste Collection (Cartridge, D-Sized Stamp Set, and Coordinating Dimensional Elements)

Barn Red Stamp Pad

Black Stamp Pad

Pacifica Stamp Pad

Whisper Stamp Pad

Crystal Blue Stamp Pad

Natural Hemp

Urban Felt Alphabet

Hook & Loop Dots

Metal Assortment Brads

There is a new how-to book called Make it From the Heart that highlights many new patterns for both cards and layouts!  I created a cute little card using pieces of the Stella Paper Packet and the July Stamp of the Month: Live Out Loud

There is so much more to share!  Hop on over to Betsy's blog for more inspiration along the Paper Trail!

Cruisin' Along the Paper Trail

This month the Paper Trail Blog Hop is featuring the Close to My Heart Cruisin' papers.  They are so bright and versatile.  If you landed here from Connie's blog, you have already seen some totally amazing artwork!  School just got out here in Washington and I'm about to start a summer project through July and all the thank-yous I did for year-end, I was left with little time to scrap.  Studio J is just fabulous for these moments!  Michael and I visited Victoria, B.C. in May and I really wanted to record the memories.  The Cruisin' paper was perfect for the photos as you can see below.  I'm really loving Studio J more and more.  It's easy to use, fast, portable, and affordable.  If you still need more ideas for Cruisin', just continue along to Karen's wonderful blog.

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Paper Trail Blog Hop is Footloose

The Paper Trail blog hop time is here, again, with the hopes of a warm, careful summer.  To spur that hope, I scrapped some wonderful pool side photos with my favorite subject: family vacation!  This month we are featuring the Close to my Heart paper Footloose.  If you riding the "Trail" and come here from Vicki's wonderful blog, this is the next stop.  :)

Footloose is a great paper of cool blues and greens mixed with sandy browns and warm yellows.  I added a hint of peachy pink and featured the coordinating chipboard Footloose Compliments Dimensional Elements.  I wanted my pictures to really pop with vibrant colors to feel the sunshine and I wanted my pages to flow together, which is shown better in the photos of separate pages. 

I hope you like this month's featured papers and continue your walk along the Trail to Lynne's blog.

Are you Dreamin' of the Paper Trail Blog Hop?

If you hopped here from Betsy's blog you are on the Paper Trail Blog Hop.  We "dreamed" up some lovely papers and designs this month using the lovely CTMH Dreamin' paper theme.  Dreamin' has wonderful warm tones of Goldrush, Bamboo, Chocolate, Honey, and Colonial White that are accented with crisp beginning to show signs of winter Pacifica.  I looked through my photos but just couldn't find anything worthy of this gorgeous paper so turned to Jeanette Lynton's how-to card books Wishes and Originals.  These cards were not only fast and easy but FUN!

This card has a flap that tucks under the bow in the front to hold it closed.  I am loving doing "insides" lately so I also took photos of this card opened with the flap and without.  I just love the "resist" technique with the lovely Treasure Life stamp set!

My second card is a birthday card for a dear friend.  We celebrated her birthday with "just the girls" on Friday.  I figured an October birthday just cries for a "fall" birthday card.  This card is 6"X6" and uses CTMH's shimmer brads to add sparkle.



Are you craving more fall dreams?  Grab a mug of hot cider and hop on over to Connie's blog. 

Oh, BTW!!!  Happy Halloween!

What do you expect from Christmas papers?

Are you following the Paper Trail Blog Hop from Linda's blog, I'm next!  :)  Are you liking Believe?  Are you ready for Christmas?  I really, really love Christmas.  I'm just on quite ready for it, so I used the Believe papers for a summer hike layout.  This layout was so much fun!  I chose an interactive layout from Close to My Heart how-to book Magic.  What fun this was to put together with lots of cut outs from the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  Looking for more inspiration?  Continue hopping on over to Terri's blog.

Paper Trail for September

For September, our little group chose Sonoma to play with.  I hope you enjoyed Vicki's wonderful creativity and am glad you continued on the "Trail" to my little blog!  You know how I love scrapping and when I saw this paper, Jen's wedding was the first scrapping subject that came to mind because she loves purple so much it's how I think of her, even after all these years.  So, here's my take on Sonoma.  I used the Work Shop On the Go kit.  What a wonderful kit for heritage photos, weddings, graduations, family pages, and more!

Beautiful papers!  If you want to see more, just hop over to Karen's blog!