You and Me, Me and You

Even though there's a fresh, new Idea Book (check it out on my website), I have been on a mission to use my stash. I love Workshop on the Go kits because they contain coordinated products that make putting pages together, and using your stash, a snap. Once I've made the two layouts in the kit, I store all the supplies together until they're used up. That way I don't have to go searching for the little bits that match.

For this layout, I used the extra supplies from my Sarita Workshops on the Go kit. Note: Sarita is also one of the paper lines that has been carried over to the new Idea Book. You can get Sarita Paper Packet, Sarita Assortment, (both seen on my layout) and Sarita My Stickease Assortment right now!

I created a large title with my Silhouette--also using my stash as this was a cut file that had been in my collection for a whle--and added some Dimensional Elements Hearts as accents.

Turning to my stamp stash, I added a chicken wire background with the Distressed Backgrounds stamp set and the subtitle with the Framework Alphabet stamp set. (If you get one alphabet stamp this month, get this one! It includes an upper case and lower case alphabet with numbers all in one 6"x6" package. It will quickly become your go-to alphabet stamp.)

You know how much I love sketches, and so often when I'm planning a page, I spend time surfing Pagemaps or Pinterest looking for interesting sketches. But for this layout, I turned to my stash again and found this perfect sketch in Imagine. The sketch for Three-Part Harmony is found on page 44. It's a versatile sketch that accomodates lots of photos in different sizes. To make it my own, I used an extra large focal photo and flipped the right side of the sketch on its side. I also used fewer papers than was called for, letting the Goldrush cardstock set off the busy paper.

Here's a tip: When you have a layout that calls for a 1/2" x 12" piece, use a Zip Strip (that extra strip of pattern you trim off the patterned papers) or washi tape. A quick and easy way to use up scraps!

I love this layout and now I've got some room in my stash for new product!

Circle Journal: Jen

Glitter, Bling and Pretty Things is the theme of Jen's Circle Journal. That presented quite a challenge for me. I'm not a glittery kind of gal. I have been trying to make my pages and cards more sparkly since I started with CTMH--there are just so many great shiny products--but with a house full of boys, glitter, bling and pretty things don't make it onto too many of my pages.

Thankfully, I found lots of inspiration online! I based Jen's layout on one I'd seen on Pinterest, by Nickie Hoffer.

I love the neutral black and white colour scheme with a pop of Cranberry. Black, cream and red has long been my favourite colour scheme.

Instead of the For Always patterned paper (which I don't have yet), I used black and white papers from My Mind's Eye I already had in my stash. The CTMH stamps used were BohemianAlphabet, Sweet Moments, the March 2012 Stamp of the Month, Florentine Workshops on the Go stamp set, and the Whoo's Your Valentine stamp set.

Did you notice the two-tone ink on the title? To achieve this look, simply ink stamp with the lighter colour first, top or bottom, and ink the darker colour second. Keep a straight line by inking on the edge of the stamp pad. The technique is simple and the effect is stunning!

To fit in with Jen's theme, I used CTMH silver Glitter paper to mat the large photo and add a stripe under the lace stamping. An alternative product that would work just as well for the stripe is Shimmer Trim. Available in black and silver, Shimmer Trim is 3/8" wide and backed with adhesive.

Additional sparkle was added around the page and to the large medallion with various adhesive bling: Sparkles Clear Assortment, Sparkles Pink, Red and Purple Assortment, and Pink Glitter Gems.

Glitter paper, bling gems and pretty stamps bring Jen's theme to life! If you'd like any of these glittery, sparkly, beautiful products for yourself, just check out my online store or pop me an email.

Happy Scrapping!