First Scrapbook Layout in Years

12 x 12 Scrapbook Layout

It is true! I haven't done a scrapbook layout in years.  Because there were a million leftover hearts from all of the cards made this past week, I decided to use them on a layout.  The cards can be seen here, here, and here.  The Radial Hearts die cut a nice selection of different sized hearts. It would have been a shame to waste them. This used about one-fifth of the die-cut pieces. The currently available supplies that I used are linked below. There is a coupon offer going on through Monday which will save you 5% - use code MEMSAVE19 if you go shopping.

Also, if you have some spare time this weekend, you might want to check out one of the free classes that Scrapbook.com offers on their website.
I hope that you have a safe and peaceful holiday weekend as we remember those that served and gave their all for our country.
Best,
Beverly
Supplies:

Altenew - Dies - Simple Alpha
Scrapbook.com

Altenew - Dies - Inline Alpha
Scrapbook.com

Altenew - Dies - Calligraphy Alpha
Scrapbook.com

Altenew - Dies - Radial Hearts Cover
Scrapbook.com

Clear Double Sided Adhesive Roll - 4 Inch x 81 Feet - 1 Roll
Scrapbook.com

Ranger Ink - Archival Ink Pad - Jet Black
Scrapbook.com

Faber-Castell - PITT Artist Pens - Lettering - Brights
Scrapbook.com

Faber-Castell - Mix and Match Collection - Pitt Artist Pens - Essential - 4 Piece Set
Scrapbook.com

FAQs About CTMH Papers

CTMH Paper Fundamentals

Paper is the key component to Paper Crafting!  Consequently, there are frequent discussions about the various types of paper and the properties of each kind. Some papers work very well for scrapbooking, some are better for card making, some are great for art journaling, some are good for coloring with markers, others with watercolors... you get the idea.  Lots of papers. Lots of uses!

The question of paper weight is probably the one most frequently asked about CTMH's cardstock and patterned B & T Papers. I will answer that below and then please read to the bottom of the post for the second most widely asked question that I receive about CTMH's papers.

First, though, what is B&T paper and B&T Duos™ paper? The term “B&T” stands for “Background and Texture,” and the full product name is “Background and Texture Duos paper,” or B&T Duos™ paper. The B&T paper offered by Close To My Heart is cardstock-weight paper that has a different pattern or design printed on each side. B&T paper is typically used for page accents and embellishing but can also be used as the base page for layouts. There is B&T paper included in every My Reflections™ paper packet offered by Close To My Heart.  It is weighed as text weight paper at 100 lb.

Posted above are a couple of examples of CTMH's new Zoe B & T paper used with cardstock bases.  They used solid colored cardstock to achieve a clean and simple look for the layouts. The Zoe paper adds wonderful color and movement because of the fun patterns but doesn't detract from the photos. Another way to keep the focus on the photos but still have some interest is to use a tone on tone pattern.  The papers in CTMH's Fundamentals line achieve that in two different ways.  Pictured at the very top of the post is a swatch collection of all of their new Fundamental colors that will be available on September 1st. It shows the resist side of the papers. Immediately below this paragraph is one of the current assortments.  It is one of my favorites because it is so easy to use in scrapbooking and cardmaking with really interesting results. The photo shows both sides of each color.

Pictured above is CTMH's - Paper Fundamentals Basics Assortment 20 double-sided 12" × 12" sheets (2 each of 10 designs); same design on both sides, one side with glossy resist pattern; Basics color palette. *This particular assortment Retires September 1, 2015.

12 x 12 CTMH Kraft Cardstock

The Colored, Basics, and Fundamentals Cardstock are all 65 lb. (cover weight). The Colonial White and White Daisy Cardstock are 80 lb. (cover weight). CTMH's Kraft Cardstock is 74 lb. (cover weight).

Enchantment Cardstock Combo Pack

You may have seen the new colors that are part of the Enchantment Combo Pack. It is included with the new Artistry Cricut Cartridge Collection and the Digital Collection, too.  There are 10 colors in the pack, 7 of which are new to CTMH. The combo pack has

20 – 12" × 12" sheets (2 of each color) with the following colors:
Eggplant *
Sapphire *
Peacock *
New England Ivy
Fern *
Saffron *
Goldrush
Poppy *
Pomegranate *
Ruby

* new color

The second most widely asked question that I receive about CTMH products is:

'Are Close To My Heart products considered “photo safe?” ' Here is the answer directly from CTMH:

"Close To My Heart offers a number of products designed to directly touch and/or interact with your photos. These products are designated as photo safe, which is defined as acid-free, lignin-free, buffered, and without PVC, when applicable. All of these products (inks, papers, protectors, and adhesives) have been tested and conform to the definitions of photo safe above. Note that while Close To My Heart sources top quality materials for its products, there are no industry standards or expectations for these products in memory keeping. We offer a wide variety of items, and customers may or may not choose to incorporate these items into their papercrafting."

If you have a specific question, please ask me or look in the current idea book to see which items are designated acid-free, etc.

White and Green

Two last little notes about CTMH's papers.  One of the things that CTMH's cardstock is known for is having a white inner core for their colored cardstock. The Kraft is solid kraft throughout.  I have many posts on my blog about ways to use the inner core to your advantage in fun and unique treatments.  In the next few weeks, I hope to have a few more.

Lastly, the question of environmental responsibility is another that should be answered by paper companies.  CTMH has this information posted on their website:

"All Close To My Heart printed papers, including cardstock, B&T Duos™, and complements, are sustainable forestry initiative (SFI) certified. We work with vendors who maintain the strictest standards in quality and environmentally responsible printing. ...

We also use some soy-based dyes in our paper printing. Because of some limitations with soy, we can’t use it exclusively, but it is an important component of our ink-creation processes."

CTMH Zoe B & T Paper Packet

Thank you for reading this long post!  I hope it answers questions you may have had. If not, please leave me a message or send me an email.

Beverly

How to Assemble CTMH's Post Bound Albums

Hi Scrapbookers!
Monica shows us how to assemble the My Legacy Album in the first video and the second video is about Spine Expanders.  The first video is geared towards consultants, so there is a discussion about using the album in a sales setting.  The information about assembling is worthwhile, so I am going to post it with the hope that all viewers understand why it is presented in this manner.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Artbooking Made Easy: Love is in the Air

CTMH's new video shows some very good examples using the Real Dial Size feature on the Cricut.  Carly explains why you may not want to use it when designing your layouts.


Please let me know if you have any questions about this video or the Cricut Artbooking cartridge.

Thank you for visiting!
Beverly

Hidden Journaling and Hidden Photographs

Hi!
It has been a long time since I have made any videos and today I have two to share with you! The second will be in another blog post later today.

This video shows many examples of ways that I've 'hidden' elements in scrapbook layouts.  Most of the layouts are several years old and my style of scrapbooking has changed over the years.  It was fun for me to see this evolution.

The Memory Protector Flip Flaps shown in the video are available here. The True Fit Folios are here.

I will be posting a tutorial video in a few weeks that walks through the design process for a layout that includes interactive elements.  If you have any suggestions or specific requests, please let me know.

As always, if you have any questions, please leave a comment or email me at StampinBev@msn.com.

Thank you for visiting!
Beverly

Scrapbooking Without Pictures

After taking a very long break, I am glad that the first blog post of my work includes an image of two of the biggest blessings in my life. Thanks for sticking it out with me and being here to share it.  I appreciate all the support that you all have shown me! Now on to the actual post...

At Disneyland there is a tiny shop on Main Street where silhouettes are made.  When we went in there last October, we were impressed by an amazing woman who could hand-cut a silhouette in just a few minutes.  She looks at the person and cuts with scissors.  All the while, she is carrying on a conversation!  I love how her artwork looks and wanted to keep it as part of our vacation memories in a scrapbook, even though it is not a photograph.

The silhouette is on a rectangular piece of cardstock.  I cut out the oval to mount it with foam tape on the double mat. Using a black paper as the background would give the best contrast, so that is what I chose. The For Always paper packet is classy and vintage-y feeling.  It seemed like a perfect choice for this silhouette of my two daughters. One was celebrating her 8th birthday and the other was 22 at the time.

Click on the picture to see more detail

Each piece of paper was ink distressed and all, except the oval, were edge distressed as well.

CTMH Black Tulle Ribbon made into Flowers and Bow-like Shapes

The black tulle comes on a wide roll.  It is easy to scrunch up into flower-like shapes.  I stapled the 'blossoms' and glued the top one in place and flattened it with a dictionary.  The two at the bottom of the page were attached to the page with brads.

CTMH Sparkles Black Flourishes

Usually, I do double layouts but since it has been such a long time (over six months!) since I have scrapbooked, I thought I would start with a single 12 x 12 page.

CTMH For Always B & T Papers

Initially, I was going to follow this sketch from Creating Keepsakes for a group of pictures that I wanted to scrap.  Rather than wait for the pictures to be printed, I decided to go ahead and modify the sketch to use it today.  It doesn't look a lot like the sketch, but it was the jumping off point for this layout.

All of the materials are CTMH except as noted:
For Always Paper Pack
Black and White Daisy cardstock
Black Tulle Ribbon
Sparkles: Black Flourishes and Black and Grey Assortment
Key from Brocade Assortment
Foundry Metal Pin Clip
Black staples/stapler
Black Soot Distress Ink - Ranger
Mickey Mouse paper clip - from stash
White lace ribbon - Martha Stewart
Grey ruffle ribbon - Pink Paislee House of Three
Washi Tape - Teresa Collins
Spellbinders ornate frame - this was a leftover piece that was in my stash so I don't remember which one it is.
Black thread and sewing machine
Black brads from stash

Thank you so much for stopping by today!
Beverly

Studio J: September Love Your Layout - Using Photos For a Background

Studio J is CTMH's digital scrapbooking solution.  There are so many fun techniques that can be used with it.  Every month the corporate office is sharing ideas for using Studio J to it's fullest potential.  By incorporating some of these tips into your own layouts, they become even more uniquely yours!

If you would like more information about using Studio J please visit here.
Thank you for stopping by today.
Beverly

Frosted Designs Twine and Ribbon Challenge

Paint Splattered On Textured Honey Cardstock

Thank you for visiting today!  Frosted Designs has a fun challenge beginning today using twine and/or ribbon.  Please join us by making a card, layout or off the page project and link it up here.

Dresses Cut From Cricut Artiste Cartridge

On this layout, I used white baker's twine to string a clothesline. I love these cute little clothespins! It was nice to finally be able to use them, after having stored them for years.  Yellow baker's twine was wrapped around the bottom of the picture with a piece of yellow hemp.  I used three different alphabets for the title.  A little bit of journaling is on the half-circle/wheel.

CTMH Ready to Color Canvas "4" and SEI Corrugated Letters

There is a new post today for Faithbooking Friday on my other blog.  Please check it out at Faithbooking For All.

Have a fabulous day!
Beverly

Supplies:
Cardstock: CTMH
Patterned Paper: CTMH Stella
Baker's Twine: CTMH
Yellow Hemp: SU!
Alphabet Stickers: CTMH Keepsake Felt, CTMH Canvas, SEI Corrugated
Journaling Shape: SEI
Paint: Mister Huey's and Perfect Pearls
Tiny Clothespins from Stash
CTMH Cricut Artiste Cartridge

La Belle Vie Baby

CTMH La Belle Vie B & T

When I saw this new paper, I thought of the picture above, taken about 22 years ago. Dark colors are not usually found on typical baby layouts.  But this is no typical baby.  She was a delight from the moment she arrived, but very pensive. A sweet and gentle girl, but a deep thinker with a strong sense of propriety. When she was about one and a half, she climbed down from her high chair to put herself in timeout because she said she was thinking something naughty. My mother used to say, "Eva has an old soul."

She has always had her own personality and her own style. She has gorgeous olive skin and dark soul-filled eyes. My other dd would not be able to carry the weight of this paper, but dear little Eva can. It suits her.  Sort of a Goth-baby type look.

Semi-Hidden Journaling Using Cricut Artiste Doily

The lace backdrop of the photograph lightens up the center of the page. The reverse side of the black patterned paper is the pretty pink/mauve patterned paper. I cut a 9" doily using the Accent 1 shape on page 31 of the CTMH Cricut Artiste Handbook.  I tucked the month and year under a couple of the openings with the La Belle Vie Mauve cardstock for a peek-a-boo effect.

Mixing Boutique and Bohemian Embellishments

The embellishments were from a few different collections. Pearls came from the Opaque Adhesive Gems and the Pearl Flourishes.  I placed a pearl on each of the rosettes on the Colonial White ribbon. The crocheted flower is from the Bohemian Assortment and the metal bow clip is from the Boutique Assortment.

CTMH Jardin Frame Stamped on Martha Stewart Clay

I flattened out some Martha Stewart air-dry clay and stamped the frame from the Jardin set in Chocolate ink.  It dried to almost the same shade of pink as the paper used for the doily!  What a great accident! If you want a certain color, it would probably be a good idea to make a small sample first.  Here is a quick video showing how to stamp on this type of clay:

  

The clay is sold at both Joann's and Michael's.

*edited to add a note about the Slate ink used in video -
It dried closer to it's true color, with a tinge of green around the edges.

Sewing Through Eyelets and Pearls Added to Rosette Ribbon

It was fun to incorporate a few peek-a-boo elements in the layout for a little whimsy.  In addition to the date, mentioned above, I placed cardstock cut with the Martha Stewart doily edger punch under the patterned paper.  I also set eyelets and sewed through them, tying a big knot.

Even though this paper would look stunning with wedding photos or used for a visit to an old, classic city, I like it for this baby layout, too.  Sometimes, pushing myself out of the 'norm' results in a mess!  But I think it worked this time. :-)

I hope you have a wonderful day!  Thank you for visiting!

Beverly