Dreamin' Big Hello Layout

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

Dreamin' Big Layouts

It was love at first sight when I saw the Dreamin' Big paper collection. I pondered for a while what I would use the kit for, and one night as I was drifting off to sleep, a light bulb went off. It was the perfect kit for the childrens' vacation layouts to Busch Gardens and Billy Swamp Safari in 2016.

I plan on using some of the pocket plus memory protectors to include more photos. Busch Gardens was especially fun while taking pictures. The kids were hamming it up and I couldn't get my camera out fast enough. It was worth it having to lug that heavy camera bag through the park. I also kept my Iphone handy, and when I needed to capture pictures quick, it was a snap. 

My first layout was inspired by a sketch I stumbled upon on Pinterest. I added the create-a-critter animals from Design Space, and if you click on the picture to enlarge it, you will see I used some pattern papers on some of the animals. My daughter said it looked "baby-ish". She's 8, and when the pictures were taken, she was just 7. LOL Oh well.

The final 3 layouts were created pretty much on point from the WYW kit. I thought they worked well with my photos. Sorry for the graininess of some of the pictures; I had Shutterfly print them in a matte finish, and I'm not sure I am happy with the results. It's the first time I've gotten prints that were less than perfect from there, so I'm willing to give them another shot.

If you are interested in the Dreamin' Big collection, it is only available this month while supplies last. You can visit my website here to see the entire collection.

Thank you for stopping by.

Casandra

Koala Cutie It's Your Day Card

If you like koala bears, you will like this next card. Also, be sure to check out 2 other cards I made with this set earlier in the month (January, 2017).

Recipe:
Paper: Dreamin' Big, Black CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Cute Koalas, Flower Market sentiments (CTMH)
Inks: Black (Memento), Juniper (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen, Shinhan Alcohol Markers (CTMH)
Other: Clear Sparklers (CTMH)

I love this paper from the Dreamin' Big collection. There is so much you can do with it. I picture baby, boy, girl, zoo, bug, and outdoors themes. In fact, I plan to use it to scrap some vacation pictures from our trip to Busch Gardens and Billy Swamp Safari last winter. 

Thank you for stopping by. Hope your day is crafty.

Casandra

Dreamin Big Koala Card

I was inspired by artwork that is featured in the current Seasonal Expressions 1 book. I do not own the stamp set they used, but as I sat looking at it, I thought that my koala stamp set would fit it perfectly. 

Recipe:
Paper: Dreamin' Big, Enchantment Paper Fundamentals, Hello Lovely, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Cute Koalas (retired), Finding the Words (CTMH)
Inks: Juniper, Black (CTMH)
Tools: Shinhan Alcohol Markers, Glue Pen, Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer (CTMH)
Other: Grey Enamel Gems (CTMH)

I wish that this stamp set wasn't retired. I've used it a couple of times already. It reminds me of my favorite stuffed animal I had as a baby...a fuzzy koala bear that had felt tip ears and paws. It was pretty ragged after so many years, and my parents lost it in a move years back. But I still carry the memory of it.

Stay tuned for another card tomorrow with this same stamp set.

Casandra

Pinterest Inspired Hello Lovely Card

I did a search on Pinterest, the other day, for ice cream cards. I came across a pretty card created by Stephanie Pike. I was inspired to create the following card. Thanks, Stephanie. Your artwork is gorgeous.

I used some retired washi and sequins from my stash to embellish, and even an embossing folder to give the ice cream some dimension. The ice cream and popcicle images were created in Design Space. I slice a 1" strip off the front of the card so you can see the green paper glued to the inside. 

Found out something interesting while creating this card. LOL My dog freaks out when I use the embossing tool. I don't know if it's the sound that it puts off, or if the embossing powder has a smell that freaks him out, but he paces with his ears down, and jumps nervously whenever I look at him with the heat gun in hand. Whatever...he's silly. 

Anyways, I hope that I've inspired you to use up some scraps, or dust off your cricut. 

Happy crafting!

Casandra

LTSCB#93 Birthday Card

The following card was created with some scraps I had left over and sitting out on my desk. For those of you with a trained eye, you will notice a combination of papers that can be found in the current Seasonal Expressions from Close To My Heart.

Recipe:

Paper: Hello Lovely, Dreamin' Big, Sugar Rush, Paper Fundamentals Whimsy, White Daisy CS, Colonial White CS, Chocolate CS (CTMH)

Stamp: Artfully Sent (CTMH)

Ink: Black (Memento)

Tools: Cricut Explore Air, Liquid Glass, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)

Other: Grey Enamel Gems, 3d Foam Tape (CTMH)

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

1) Seize the Birthday "Anything Goes"

2) Love to Scrap LTSCB#93 
3) Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #292 "Something New"

I used liquid glass on the cherry to give it some shine. The ice cream sundae image was created in Design Space. Yum!

Happy crafting!

Casandra

CTS#203 Birthday Blast Card

Hello, again. I'm happy to share that my mojo has returned. Each time it goes away, I'm sad. It is usually slow to return, and I end up making a few failed attempts before the mojo comes back.

So this next card was inspired, in equal parts, by a couple of current challenges, as well as the constellation paper included in the new "Dreamin' Big" collection from Close To My Heart.

Recipe:
Paper: Dreamin' Big, Hello Lovely, Peacock CS, Whisper CS, Black CS, White Daisy CS, Glacier CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Birthday Blast (retired) (CTMH)
Ink: VersaMark, Black (Memento)
Tools: Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen (CTMH), Cricut Design Space 
Other: Gold Shimmer Trim (CTMH), 3d Foam Tape (CTMH), Silver Stars (Jo-Ann Fabrics)

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

1) Case this Sketch CTS#203 
2) Seize the Birthday "Anthing Goes"
3) Heart 2 Heart "Silver and Gold"

The rocket and moon, stars and cloud images were created in Cricut Design Space. I signed up for Cricut Access. It's perfect when I don't have a certain image among my stamp sets.

Happy crafting!

Casandra

MOJO478 Koala Cutie

Good afternoon. I am back today with my third card.

When I saw the sketch, this week, from Mojo Monday, I just knew I had to play along. It showcases the new paper collection "Dreamin' Big", and retired stamp "Cute Koalas". They seemed like the perfect pairing to me. I will let you decide.

Recipe:
Paper: Dreamin' Big, Whisper CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Cute Koalas (retired), Artfully Sent (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Black (Memento)
Tools: Shinhan Markers, Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer (CTMH)
Other: Coral Reef Sequins (retired), Bitty Sparkles, 3d Foam Tape (CTMH)

Thank you for stopping by again today. Stay warm.

Casandra