Pocket Life Challenge with Diane

Hi Guys! Diane here with another Pocket Life Challenge for you!

By the time you get down to the last little bits and pieces of your kit, things tend to run out. Say, alphas, for example.

So my challenge to you today is: Create a handmade title!

The rest of my spread came together fairly easily, I still had a variety of embellishments and cards and papers to use but I couldn't decide which paper worked best with my spread for a title card.

I also knew I had no 'e's or 'w's left, and with no numerals in this particular alpha, I was going to have a hard job spelling anything out without 'e's!

I carried on with the rest of my page hoping that inspiration would strike me, and eventually it did. When I picked up the alpha to ponder what I could do, I realised that if I pushed all the remaining letters out of the sheet, I would have a pretty good stencil. So I could trace a title, or create a template for stitching, or use the letters as a guide for hand cutting.

I ended up do a combo of tracing and cutting, that way, I didn't have to choose which pretty paper to use, I could use both! And I love how it all turned out!

Despite how long it took me to work out how I wanted to create my title, I am so happy with how it finally came together in the end. Here's a look at the process this spread took ...

I can't wait to see what you do with this challenge so don't forget to post your layouts in the Facebook Fan Page so we can see!

Creating Custom Die Cuts with Kira

Hey there!  It's Kira and I am back with a fun tutorial to share with y'all!  I don't know about you, but I love that almost all of the products we receive from Citrus Twist Kits are also available in digital form.  But if you're like me, they're likely just sitting on a file on your computer, unused.  Well, today, we are going to change that!

First off, I don't have Photoshop, so this tutorial is specifically for people looking for a cheaper alternative to editing the digital stamps.  Gimp is a free photo editing program that I use regularly, but it has a steep learning curve so it might take some time to get comfortable using.  But you can easily use a word document to create your own custom die cuts too!

Let's talk Gimp first...

Step 1:  Click "File" and then "Open..."
Step 2:  Choose your digital stamp (I start with my base and work my way up)
Step 3:  Use the "Bucket Fill Tool" to change the color of your stamp from black to whatever color you want!
Step 4:  Click "File" and then "Open as layers..."
Step 5:  Choose your next stamp and change the color using the bucket fill tool
Step 6:  Repeat steps 4 & 5 as many times as you'd like
Step 7:  Size images to fit together by clicking "Scale image"
Step 8:  Click "Merge visible layers" and export image

You can now print the image and fussy cut, or import into your electronic die cutting software to print and cut!

Now, you can also use Word to create a custom die cut, but it's much more limited with things like color.  But it is super easy!

Step 1:  Insert image (again, I start from my base and work my way up)
Step 2:  In "Picture Format", change color
Step 3:  Change "Wrap Text" to "behind text"
Step 4:  Repeat steps 1-3 as many times as you'd like
Step 5:  Either print directly from here and fussy cut, OR use the snipping tool to create a .png of your image to import into your die cutting software.

Here's a few examples of some custom die cuts I made from the Chasing Curiosities digital stamp set:

I added one of my die cuts to this travelers notebook layout.  I layered it over one of the exclusive cut files and some paint.  I finished off the layout with a few other embellishments from the Life Crafted kit.

Thanks for stopping by!

Kira

"More of This" Pocket Pages with Suzanna

Hey there, crafty pals! Suzanna here - I'm back to share a fun pocket page layout I put together with this month's Life Crafted kit. I've been LOVING the journaling cards we've been receiving in the kits, and wanted to created an entire layout with my favorites. I love using journaling cards in all different types of layouts, including traditional scrapbook layouts, but nothing showcases the journaling cards like a good pocket page.

I was so excited when I realized one of the events on my "to document" list had the perfect number of photos for this layout. Don't you love when a layout includes both products you love and photos your crazy about?

The left side of the layout came together quickly. I used a 3x4 card with a quote that perfectly sums up my feelings about the event, and a 4x6 card with a pattern that I just can't get enough of! I played with the idea of adding large alphas to the 4x6 card, but loved the pattern to cover it with anything. Then, I layered a few pieces into a small embellishment cluster at the bottom of my photo to finish that side off!

For the right side of the layout, I created two small embellishment clusters on each of my photos to bring a little pop of color to each of them. I used a journaling card to write a little about the memory/event, and added a stamped sentiment right above. The last journaling card features a stamped phrase on a label, along with a small cluster of embellishments.

I love the way this layout turned out! I can't help but smile every time I look at it because I just love the photos, the color palette, and the products I used. I consider that a crafty win! I hope you enjoyed coming along as I shared my process for this layout. Have fun getting crafty!

Sunday Sketch | Pink Space Buns

Sketches and I are like two peas and a pod. Sometimes I get stumped when it comes to 12x12 layouts, and when that happens I turn to a fabulous sketch.  There’s nothing like a great sketch to get the creative wheels turning, and this CTK one is no exception.

For this particular sketch I knew I wanted to keep the ripped pieces at the top, and I also wanted to keep the great grid in the middle, so I started with some ripped bazzil colored cardstock. I love that it comes in any color I could ever need.

I layered up a bright pink and a yellow for my ripped sheets at the top.  I decided I wanted my accent on the upper and lower sections, including the background of the grid, to be a scrap of pink book page from a prior project. It brought in the great peachy color, that tied in it all together with that vibrant striped patterned paper.

Next I got started on that great 3x4 grid section.  I decided I’d arrange my photo on the right side, as in the sketch, and I’d stick pretty close to it on the opposing side too. I decided to fussy cut the great bright pink star sheet of cardstock from this month’s kit. Those stars were the perfect addition to match my “Pink Space Buns” theme.

I layered in some wax paper, my old book page, fussy-cut stars, and various ephemera pieces to create a bright and vibrant layout from this sketch. I wanted a super colorful layout, with big punches of pink, so I think I achieved my goal!

I finished off my layout with some journaling, and just like the sketch, I added my giant title to the bottom, with the amazing chipboard alphas in this month’s kit!

Scrapbook Layout with Laura Rahel

Hey friends, Laura Rahel Crosby here today. I'm sharing a 12x12 traditional scrapbook page I made using the July Citrus Twist Kits. The cool pink tones in the kit were perfect for a set of photos I had of my sister, my baby niece, and myself, where we were all wearing blue and pink. You can follow me on youtube to see how I created this page and other projects I make using my Citrus Twist Kits.

I was aiming for lots of texture on this page, which I achieved by using texture paste through a floral modeling stencil, by chain stitching that gorgeous cut file I used for my title, and by adding lots of layers behind each photo. I used four different patterned papers from the kit to back my cut file and I love how it turned out. I created a subtitle using the wood grain alphabets and then finished off the page with a little journaling in two different spots. I love how much texture the final page has.

I hope you've enjoyed this look at how I'm using my CTK this month. Happy crafting!
xoxo, Laura

Life Crafted with Diane

Hi everyone, Diane here to share another page in my nephew Jack's Life Crafted album using the July "Best of This Life" Life Crafted kit and the "Chasing Curiosities" This Is Life Stamp!

I started by grabbing a Protector #3 and a Protector #2 for my spread and then I printed my photos: a main 4x6 photo, a 3x4 photo and a smaller 2.25 inch square photo. I placed my photos in the protectors and then chose a single 3x4 card from the kit. "One Fine Day" sure did sum up these photos and the trip I took to take them. And the photo that I had already printed fit exactly in the spot designed for journalling!

Instead of adding journalling to the journalling spot in the #3 protector, I used three of the words stamps from the set and created my own patterned paper by repeat stamping them using a teal coloured ink on some scrap card.

While I had my stamps out, I also stamped three of the label stamps from that same stamp set in a yellow ink to match the colours in the journalling card. I only end up using two but it never hurts to have a spare in case of mistakes! I trimmed them out with scissors but used a single hole punch to remove the circle notch in the sides. It leaves a much neater edge than trying to fussy cut with scissors.

After adhering my labels to my photos, I added a couple of sentiment stamps and then created three clusters of enamel shapes from the LC kit. Using three clusters helps to bring your eye around the spread and make the two pages cohesive.

I could have left it there but I wanted to add a title to my page and I did that by altering one of the Subscriber Exclusive cut files, cutting it backwards on one of the patterned papers and popping it inside a Protector #1. Adding a couple of staples means it won't ever accidentally slip out of the pocket.

Here's a quick look at how this spread came together ...

I really do love how simple you can put together a fun spread in your life crafted album using all the configurations of page protectors that work with it. 

Traveler's Notebook Challenge with Suzanna

Hey everyone, Suzanna here! I'm excited to be sharing a traveler's notebook layout with y'all today. If you're familiar with my previous TN projects I've shared here on the blog, you'll know that I base my TN challenges off the size of a TN, not necessarily whether the layout ends up in a TN. For this project in particular, I decided last minute to pop it into my Life Crafted album instead of into my TN insert.

I loved the colors in this month's Life Crafted kit and wanted to focus on my color palette, while keeping the layout simple. I think I accomplished that goal and am happy with the way it turned out!

I cut one of the patterned papers down to my 4x8" traveler's notebook size. Then, layered a few other patterned papers behind my photo. On the right side, I used two journaling cards from the kit. The orange card served as the pop of color on my layout, and also as a place for my journaling.

My favorite part of this layout is the "LOVE" journaling card. I stamped three simple phrases in crisp black ink across each word. It's a simple embellishment, but I love the bold statement it adds!

Using puffy stickers, die cuts, and chipboard pieces from the kit, I added embellishments to the left side of my layout. Then, stamped a simple phrase below my cluster to finish off that side.

I decided to add my layout into my Life Crafted album because I had the perfect spot for it. If I wanted to add this to a TN insert instead, I would simply add a pocket page in to my insert as a tip-in (using washi tape) - easy peasy!

And now for the challenge pieces - I have two for you today! First, I challenge you to try a new layout style in your TN. Whether that's adding in a pocket page or a fold-out, just try something new! Second, I challenge you to use your stamps as your main form of embellishing on your layout.

I hope this inspires you to jump out of your comfort zone and try new things! I'll see you soon with more crafty inspiration.