Last summer, when the new fundamental lines were introduced, Brenda Rose, a fellow consultant, shared her designs with us. I knew that I would eventually use them, and when I was approached recently to do a baby boy album for my Aunt's great-grandbaby, I knew this workshop would be perfect.
I did not use much of the whimsy patterns, but instead chose to use up a long-retired kit that was actually in my sell pile. The blue and champagne colors were perfect for baby boy, and didn't necessarily scream "Winter" and "Snow". Of the few patterns that do, they were specifically alotted to the months where winter reigns in Northern Michigan. I added Canary cardstock, and even some other retired papers, such as Twitterpated. I mixed stamping and cricut cuts for my embellishments. And my favorite of them all is Month 10 and 11. Foxes and teepees are super trendy right now. Goldrush cardstock was the perfect color for my fox.
I am so pleased with this album. It was THE fastest one I've ever put together, with project completion under 24 hours. I started this on a Friday night at 9pm when kids were in bed, and finished it up at 5pm the next day. And that was with sleep, too.
Hope I've inspired you to look at those papers in your stash in a new light. Just because it was purchased for one theme, doesn't mean it wouldn't work for something else. And don't be afraid to mix and match your collections.
I would like to enter the fox layout into the H2H challenge for this week "What a Wonderful World". Babies do make this world a wonderful place.
Happy crafting!
Casandra
Last month, we promoted a tea cup stamp set as our stamp of the month. I think it was a popular one.
Unfortunately, whenever we have stamps of the month, I rarely see layouts created with them. Which, for me, is a bummer because scrapbooking is still my first love. But, Close To My Heart has been doing a great job of making some brilliant designs to showcase these special promo stamps, and last month was no exception.
Please forgive them terrible photos of my creations. I stayed up until 1am putting finished layouts in protectors and forgot to take a picture of this one before I slipped it into its final resting place.
The top layout was scraplifted from Close To My Heart, with a few minor changes such as the title.
The bottom layout was created to be a companion page to the first, since the occasions were on separate dates, but the overall theme was the same. I used a Reflections sketch for "Page 2". And of course, I couldn't resist adding more tea cups to the layout. Initially, I was going to stack them as a decoration from top to bottom along the right edge. But then, I changed my mine because I felt that journalling was especially important when telling the story.
This is way cuter in person. Lots of texture and depth.
Thank you for stopping by.
Casandra
We have arrived at the last full layout featured in my niece's baby album. I was inspired by a layout I saw on Pinterest. I changed the title and added the onesie embellishment area. I also added additional pocket plus memory protectors.
So pretty. This paper was a joy to work with.
Casandra
I thought the January Stamp of the Month was perfect for this layout. The title is so true. This baby is truly adored.
So I switched up photo sizes a bit from the original pattern. I bought these photo spots from Kiwi Lane, a place that sells plastic templates in borders, shapes, and photo mats. I love how it takes my creativity to the next level.
Thank you for stopping by.
Casandra
I love how sweet and simple this next layout turned out to be.
Even though "BRIGHT" is a flaxen color, I thought it blended nicely with the second generation fern color featured in the pattern paper block. Can you believe we are now at 10 months? Just a few more to go!
Have a great day!
Casandra
This next layout features a pattern from the Hello Lovely WYW kit. It was perfect as is, so I didn't really make any changes to speak of.
I am loving those pocket plus memory protectors. In fact, I just used some with my son's vacation pages when we visited Busch Gardens last winter. Great way to add extra pictures!
Casandra
I used a pattern from the Dreamin' Big WYW kit for this layout. It had just the right size spot available to put that awesome gold puffy title. How perfect!
I love the soft colors of this kit. So trendy right now. If you've been to a baby department (I can't stay away!), you will see these colors featured in baby clothing. Yay!
Happy Crafting!
Casandra
If you own a Make It From Your Heart pattern book, you may have recognized this layout.
I should have taken a close-up of the title and stars; I used our clear shimmer brush to add sparkle to both. It is quite subtle, but adds just the right touch of sparkle, almost a pearl-like finish.
We are only on Month 7 here, so we still have a ways to go. Thanks for following along.
Happy Crafting!
Casandra
Here is another layout that I created for my niece's baby book. I combined papers from Hello Lovely and the retired Charlotte kit. I also added in some retired Whimsy Fundamental complements.
Please stop back tomorrow for another baby layout. If this is your first visit to my blog, be sure to check out previous posts from this month for the entire series (to date).
Happy Crafting!
Casandra
This next layout features a special pack I got FREE last year called "Happy Times".
Recipe:
Paper: Happy Times, Hello Lovely, Whisper CS, White Daisy CS, Blossom CS, Juniper CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Love You Forever, Georgie WOTG (CTMH)
Inks: Black, Whisper, Sorbet, Flaxen (CTMH)
Tools: Circle Punch (Fiskars), Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pen, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen (CTMH)
Other: 3d Foam Tape, Whimsy Fundamental Stickers (CTMH), Pink Embroidery Floss (DMC)
Every baby book I have ever made has featured this wonderful stamp set. I can't get through that book without crying. The kids always end up holding my hand and rubbing my back. :)
Thank you for stopping by. Have a great week.
Casandra
Good morning. This next layout was heavily inspired by one I found on Pinterest. I only changed/added a few things.
The title was a bit awkward, but still would hold true for a baby album, I thought. Either way, I couldn't resist using it. So pretty! I have suggested that my sister-in-law may want to use pictures of both girls together on this layout. It would be a nice way to capture their special bond.
Happy crafting!
Casandra
This next layout was inspired by the Seasonal Expressions book and the Easter Bunny stamp of the month. I also took inspiration from the Calypso workshop guide. Because my sister-in-law has 2 little girls, I decided to use a much-loved but long-retired Easter stamp set "Sensational Season".
Recipe:
Paper: Hello Lovely, Sugar Rush, Blossom CS, Colonial White CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH), Pink Ombre Paper (DCWV)
Stamps: Easter Bunny, Sensational Season, Georgie WOTG (CTMH)
Inks: Black, Juniper, Sorbet, Sea Glass, Fern (CTMH)
Tools: ShinHan Alcohol Markers, Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pen, Paper-Piercer, Glue Pen, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: 3d Foam Tape, Coral Reef Sequins, Whimsy Fundamental Sticker, Hello Lovely Complements (CTMH)
The pink ombre paper wasn't quite so dark as pictured. That sugar rush paper is a favorite.
Casandra
Welcome back. This next layout features adorable koala bears. I couldn't resist that stamp set because my very first stuffed animal was a koala bear. I kept it until I was into adulthood.
Recipe:
Paper: Hello Lovely, White Daisy CS, Whisper CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Georgie WOTG, Cute Koalas (CTMH)
Inks: Black (Memento), Sorbet, Whisper, Juniper (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen, ShinHan Alcohol Markers (CTMH)
Other: Whimsy Fundamental Stickers, 3d Foam Tape, Hello Lovely Complements, Coral Reef Sequins (CTMH)
You may have noticed that my large photo mats have camera stamps that are slightly off-centered. I did this on purpose in case my sister-in-law would like to add 1-2 extra photos to this layout. I remember I had a hard time narrowing down all of my childrens' baby photos back in the day.
Please be sure and check back tomorrow for another baby layout featuring the beautiful Hello Lovely paper collection.
Casandra
I was doing a search in Cricut Design Space recently and came across this adorable sleeping baby embellishment. It inspired this next layout; and PageMaps provided the perfect sketch.
Recipe:
Paper: Hello Lovely, Charlotte (retired), Whimsy Fundamentals, Swan Lake, Juniper CS, White Daisy CS, Canary CS, Champagne CS, Chocolate CS (CTMH), Sorbet Dot Paper (DCWV)
Stamp: From the Notebook, Georgie WOTG (CTMH)
Inks: Whisper, Sorbet, Peacock
Tools: Cricut Explore Air, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen (CTMH)
Other: Gold Fundamentals, Whimsy Fundamental Sticker, 3d Foam Tape (CTMH)
I can't wait to see these pages come together with photos. This was such a joy to create.
Please come back tomorrow to see more pages. I went all the way up to her first birthday.
Casandra
Today, I am happy to share my FAVORITE layout from Baby Lauren's album.
Recipe:
Paper: Hello Lovely, Colonial White CS, White Daisy CS, Desert Sand CS, Sorbet CS, Blush CS, Fern CS, Whisper CS, Sea Glass CS, Juniper CS (CTMH)
Tools: Flower Market cartridge, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen, Crafting Tweezers (CTMH)
Other: Coral Reef Sequins, Gold Fundamental Assortment, 3d Foam Tape (CTMH)
Close To My Heart has been doing a weekly youtube video to showcase artwork and crafting tips using their latest cricut cartridge called "Flower Market". I knew that I wanted to use that little basket of tulips on a layout but it totally clicked when I saw the newborn photo shoot pictures that my sister-in-law had taken. Lauren was laying in a little basket of soft blankets, all snuggled in with pretty floral headbands, and wrapped in a soft cashmere blanket. Totally did a happy dance...not gonna lie. LOL I love how the white patterned paper from this collection looks like a linen fabric.
Jaime mentioned that they took close to 400 pictures that day. I can't imagine how hard it would be to narrow down to so few for her baby album, so I knew that she was going to need more photo spots. Close To My Heart just added this new collection of memory protectors called "Pocket Plus". It makes it so easy to add extra photos without sacrificing the beauty of a layout. I couldn't resist adding a few handmade pocket cards for extra interest. That "Sisters" title was my favorite.
Please stop by again tomorrow for the next installment of my latest baby album pages.
Casandra
So, today, you may notice this next layout. It is featured in the Hello Lovely workshop instructions. I couldn't resist this one. Truly lovely.
Recipe:
Paper: Hello Lovely, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Georgie WOTG (CTMH)
Inks: Sorbet, Sea Glass (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Blush Ribbon, Gold Sparkles, Hello Lovely Complements, Glue Dots (CTMH)
The hearts and title are gold puffy sticker embellishments. So intricate. It takes a steady hand to add them and keep them lined up just right, which is why I use my piercing tool to attach them, and occasionally I gently adjusted them with my crafting tweezers.
I hope you will stop back again tomorrow for my favorite layout in the baby book. It was made for a special photo shoot that my brother and his family did to commemorate the birth of their baby.
Casandra
I'm back again today with layout #2 from Baby Lauren's album. It's actually the last layout I created for my niece's book.
Recipe:
Paper: Hello Lovely, Whimsy Fundamentals, Charlotte, Juniper CS, Sea Glass CS, Whisper CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH), DCWV patterned paper
Stamp: Baby Zoo
Ink: Slate (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen, Art Philosophy, Artiste, Artistry (CTMH), Cricut Explore Air
Other: Gold Fundamental Assortment, Whimsy Fundamental Stickers, 3d Foam Tape, White Embroidery Floss (CTMH)
I used an Allison Davis sketch from the Simple Stories blog. The idea for this layout is for all those pictures taken with visitors and family within the first days of birth. With 9 photo spots, it should be plenty. I stamped name, date, height, weight, and parents on the journal lines. Easy peasy for mama.
This layout also has lots of texture and dimension. My sister-in-law uses the phrase "Our Miracle" whenever she talks about Lauren. I knew it needed to have a place in her baby book.
Come back tomorrow for another layout using the Hello Lovely paper collection.
Casandra
Good morning. We are enjoying sunshine today here in Northern Michigan. So, while I have been busy this past month crafting, I didn't find the time to actually post my artwork. But I think you will like what I have been working on...another baby album. I finished it on Thursday and dropped it off to my sister-in-law. She loves it. :)
Here is the first page in my niece's album.
Recipe:
Paper: Hello Lovely, White Daisy CS, Champagne CS, Chocolate CS, Juniper CS, Sea Glass CS
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen, Cricut Explore Air
Other: Blush Ribbon, Gold Sparkles, White Buttons, White Embroidery Floss
I used, almost exclusively, the Hello Lovely paper collection. Isn't this paper gorgeous? This layout was inspired by a scrapbook page I found on Cricut's website. When I worked on this two weeks ago, I stayed up until 1:30 in the morning stitching and adding all the tiny details you see. My eyes were beginning to cross. LOL
This layout has lots of dimension and texture. So fun.
Be sure to stop back for the next week or so as I unveil the rest of the pages of Baby Lauren's album.
Happy Crafting!
Casandra
