Altered embellishment

The bonus challenge in super Stashbusters week one was to follow a sketch and alter an embellishment.  Here is my final layout:

Here are some close ups:

This next picture shows a few embellishments that I altered. I colored the chipboard letters using the peacock green alcohol marker.  I also used some gold polka dotted washi tape to change the heart dimensional element.  For the banner chipped I used the pastel green ShinHan marker to give a little more color and to help them pop.

Products used:

Lagoon ink Z2195

Flaxen ink Z2642

Flight of the arrows D1578

This Moment ($5 with a $50 purchase) S1501

Year Noted (part of the National Papercrafting special this month)

Flaxen extra thick twine Z3036

Junebug Puffies Z3038

Snapshots dimensional elements Z1901

Teal shimmer trim Z1918

Gold dotted washi tape Z1920

Aqua dots Z1853

Paper is from the Hopscotch paperback X7194B

I am not listing the retired products, sorry!

Everything listed is available on my website: Sharesa.ctmh.com

Repeating design

The third challenge in my Super Stashbusters class was a layout with a repeating design.  The sketch had washi tape as the repeating design and I loved it so I followed the sketch and got this as my final layout:

I used a bunch of different CTMH washi tape (some expired), some glimmer trim, and a hostess reward stamp from the last idea book that had a bunch of fun washi tape designs. I used a bunch of expired embellishments to add a few fun touches. I also used stay on ink to stamp the arrows on to the washi tape. The arrows and the journaling spot came from the Chalk It Up workshop on the go stamp set.  I am loving having scrapbooking challenges that use my stash and push me to try new things.  Today I am going to work on a challenge to alter an embellishment or I might try doing a layout on my New Year's Resolutions sponsored by CTMH. To find information on this challenge you will need to visit the Close to my Heart Facebook page or Instagram page.

Grid design

The second challenge in Super Stashbusters was to use a grid design on a layout. Once again I had a sketch to work with and since I enjoyed the "fly by the seat of your pants" scrapbooking from the last challenge I thought I would try it again. I couldn't do it! I tried I really did, but after cutting one picture I knew I needed to map it out. So here was my plan: 

I knew I wanted to use the rest of my burlap ribbon and some brown  and colonial white ribbon, so I measured those out and followed the sketch. The sketch had three rows with five boxes in each row. I knew my pictures would need to be small in order to fit them all in.  I started with this map above and then cut everything out and played around with it.  Here is my finished layout:

I ended up changing a few things from my original map and the sketch but I am loving it!   I used a ton of retired product (burlap ribbon, brown and colonial white ribbon, skylark assortment, colonial white rosette ribbon, and the pin clips).  Talk about stash busting!  I used two skylark picture my life cards for the title and journaling.  Next up is repeating an element on a layout. Super excited about trying this challenge!

Retiring Stamps

The following stamp designs, last featured in the Spring/Summer 2014 idea book, are being retired. They will no longer be available to order after January 31, 2015. These sets can be viewed in the “Retiring Items” category on my website.
 
A1124 A Tree
A1139 Congrats Graduate
A1141 Be Still
A1154 Friendly Thoughts
A1156 Flower Confetti
B1418 Love Doily
B1423 Hoppy Easter
B1439 Dreamer
B1440 Fancy Fair
B1441 Buggy Love
B1444 Greatest Love
B1445 Happy Hive
B1450 Owls
C1571 You're the Best
C1573 Do Your Best
C1574 Believe in Yourself
C1577 Mother's Day
C1579 Coming Up Roses
C1583 Robot Family
D1547 Paper Doll
D1579 Windy Day
M1035 Newlyweds
M1036 Perfect Polka-Dot Day
M1037 Balloons
M1038 Shooting Star
M1039 Good Job Stencil
M1040 Parasol
M1041 Hi
M1042 Colored Egg

Rule of Odds

I had 45 minutes to craft yesterday so I pulled out my first challenge from the Big Picture Classes Super Stashbusters class and got to work. I am a "follow the rules and steps" kind of scrapbooker and today I tried the "fly by the seat of your pants" way and really enjoyed it. I had a sketch to follow, along with the challenge of three clusters of embellishments following the rule of odds. The Rule of Odds, according to Aly Dosdall,  "states that a visual composition is more pleasing to the eye when things are grouped in groups of odd numbers."

Here is what I came up with:

I also wanted to try out the white on white trend that I have been seeing on Pinterest.  I did not use any patterned paper and I am really liking the way this page came out. I am thinking about adding some metal brads just to try and use my stash a little more.  Let me know what you think.  This post also comes with a challenge: 

Follow the rule of odds on your next card or layout.  If you do come back and post a picture or a link to a picture.

Product used:

White daisy cardstock 

Lagoon ink Z2195

Honey ink Z2162

January stamp of the month ( arrow)

C1575 True to Life

C1521 Approved 

E1030 Handwritten Print

Honey triangles washi tape Z1933

Teal shimmer trim Z1918

Flamingo dots Z1934

Cotton candy dot washi tape retired

To get any or all of these product just go to my website.

National Papercrafting Month - Year Noted Paper Kit

Yesterday I shared with you how you can earn even more FREE product in January and today I am going to share with you the National Papercrafting Month special from Close to My Heart.

In celebration of National Papercrafting Month, Close To My Heart invites you to reflect on the things that make you who you are and on what you want to accomplish in the coming months. Then, with the help of the Year >> Noted paper kit, record your experiences and goals! During the month of January, with a qualifying purchase of $50, you are eligible to purchase the exclusive Year >> Noted paper kit (which has a retail value of over $24 USD / $27 CAD) for only $5—that’s over 80% off retail! Or, for an additional $5, you can order the Year >> Noted paper kit with an accompanying My Creations™ kraft mini book. The paper kit for both options includes a C-size stamp set, stickers, cardstocks, and B&T Duos™ papers, all specially designed to coordinate with the My Creations™ kraft mini book so you can have a yearlong scrapbooking experience. This means you will receive over $34 USD / $37 CAD worth of product for only $10 if you purchase the kit with the accompanying mini book! But the fun doesn’t end there—included on the sticker sheet, you will find a large golden seal. Once the year is done and all the pages are filled, seal up your book and create a mini time capsule that you can open years from now. Remember, this deal is only available for January, so make sure to get your own Year >> Noted paper kit today for the perfect start to a crafty year!






I am so excited for my kit to get here so I can share with you some personal artwork using this kit and getting ready to document 2015.  To order yours today just go to sharesa.ctmh.com.  If you have questions or what to host a party to get some FREE product just contact me (sharesalarsen@gmail.com, 360-619-2580).

January

January begins a new month and new fun things with Close to My Heart and this blog.  I am hoping to share more artwork with you and any little tips I find along the way.  I haven't gotten to create anything yet this year, but I am hoping that it is on the agenda for tonight after the kids are in bed.  I thought I would share one of the specials this month and I will share the other tomorrow.

During the month of January, all Gatherings that reach $350 or higher will be eligible to receive up to 50% more Hostess Rewards! This means an additional $30, giving you the opportunity to earn up to $230 or more in select free products. This offer is only available during January.  I have a few different ways of doing gatherings, in your home, in my home, facebook, or a party in a box.  If you are interested in earning some FREE Close to My Heart product contact me today (sharesalarsen@gmail.com, 360-619-2580)  and we will get you all set up with the kind of party that works for you.