Documenting the Everyday with Nathalie

Hi there!
Nathalie with you today to give you some inspiration when it comes to documenting your every day life.   I think, some of my favorite memories to document are those of simple gestures or moments that happen in our day, and what better way to do it than with the patterns and colors of the Pleasant Valley kits. 

I decided to create a soft girly page with no flowers  -that was a major challenge for me!-   So, i pulled a folding star die from my stash and cut a few stars from  papers from the Pleasant Valley kit,  the choice of papers was made so that pink was the main color of the page.

The negative pieces from the star die cuts were used to create the stitching pattern on the background on the page.   A bit of foam adhesive holds the folded stars in place.

The picture was backed with a paper that contrasted the pink of the stars, and then nestled in the center of the layout.   One large cluster of ephemera and stickers from both the main and embellishment kits was added to the picture.

Repetition is the key to create a visual triangle on this page. In this case, stickers, hearts, labels, stamps and enamel dots.   Love the colors of the Pleasant Valley kits!!!.

I used a combination of the 1Canoe2 chipboard word stickers and the small puffy Pink Paislee alphas from the Pleasant Valley kits to create the title on the page. 

I really love how this turned out, and how easy it was to put together.   I hope this has inspired you to document your everyday moments using the beautiful PLeasant Valley kits, I cannot wait to see what you create!

Before i go, let me wish you a Blessed Christmas, let the peace of the season remain with you through the New Year!

XO

3 To Inspire with Amanda!

Hi Citrus Twist Kits Friends & Fans! 

Amanda here, and boy-oh-boy am I excited to be sharing some of my first creations with our gorgeous Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit! This kit is all kinds of awesomeness - so many beautiful pattern papers, and sweet embellishments! Speaking of beautiful pattern papers, I decided to make pattern papers a feature of today's challenge! But enough chatter, let's get started!

For today's edition of 3-To-Inspire, your projects will need to feature the following....

1. Pattern paper as the layout base/background (no cardstock!).
With so many beautiful pattern papers in both our Scrapbook & PL kits this should be a great opportunity to showcase them in your creating!

2. Use stamps! 
Feature any of the exclusive CTK stamps (past or present) in your layout!

3. Include a heart. 
Stickers, ephemera, stamps - whatever takes your fancy! Hearts are such an easy embellishment to adorn your layouts with!

With these 3 things in mind, here's what I crafted with the Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit...
First up is my 'boy' page, "Better Together" 

CTK Supplies Featured: Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit, Embellishment Kit. 

Other: Black stamping ink, & Shimmerz Paints: Spritz Bamboo Leaf. 

Isn't this awesome?!! Such a fun, masculine layout!

You'll spot the fabulous Pinkfresh Studio: Indigo Hills 2:  Meadow pattern paper as my layout base. I fussy cut the Heidi Swapp: Emerson Lane: Easy Peasy Paper so that I can utilise all the journal cards, tags and labels in my photo cluster. For my stamping element, I repeat stamp the arrow that features in the 2" x 3" clear polymer stamp in the Scrapbook Kit. 

You'll spot a variety of hearts on this layout, including the Emerson Lane Cardstock Stickers, Journal Studio Puffy Stickers (both from the Scrapbook Kit) as well as the One Canoe Two: Golden Rod Chipboard Phrase Thickers (from the Embellishment Kit). While we're on the topic of the Golden Rod Thickers, how incredible is that chipboard title?!! That gold is just SO striking against the indigo paper base! LOVE!!!
Here's a closer look at my photo cluster....

 

So many lovely layers here, mostly from the Emerson Lane supplies. They coordinate beautifully with the Meadow paper, and I love the inclusion of that olive green! You'll spy that I do add some painty splatters in a similar green color (from my personal stash) to enhance these embellishments.

So cool! A boy & his puppy documented perfectly with Pleasant Valley!

My second layout for today is a softer, more feminine take on the 3-To-Inspire challenge....
"Sweet Puppy Love" 

CTK Supplies: Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit, Pattern Paper Play Kit, Embellishment Kit. 

Other: Black stamping ink, & watercolor paint.  

Naww! How cute is that puppy?!! No secret that I am totally smitten by him!

I have used the beautiful Heidi Swapp: Emerson Lane paper that comes in this month's Pattern Paper Play Kit as my layout base.  I've also used lots of the Journal Studio goodies that feature in the Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit, as well as a bit of everything from the Embellishment Kit! (There's no such thing as too many embellishments, right?) You'll notice that I do remove the paperclip backings from the Journal Studio Swan Paper Clips and use them as an epoxy sticker instead! Awesome! 

Here's a closer look at my page.....

Omgoodness! I can't handle his cuteness!!! Such a darling lil pup! 

And yes, that's me in the photo - awkward as always (I much prefer being behind the lens!) but this lil guy just has to be documented! If your familiar with my style, it's well known that I love all.the.florals!!! So naturally, I use a lot of them for my layout! 

The hearts featured are from the Golden Rod Thickers set, & on the subject of Thickers, how gorgeous is that soft, glossy pink title?!! Those alphas are from Pink Paislee's Paige Evans Whimsical collection & are from the Scrapbook Kit. SO pretty!!! 

Lots of repeat stamping from the exclusive CTK stamp from the Scrapbook Kit and watercolor paint droplets to complete this pretty page. 

And there you have it! My first two pages with the divine Pleasant Valley Kits! 

I hope I have inspired you to get creating & play along with today's 3-To-Inspire challenge! 

Be sure to share your beautiful creations in the Citrus Twist Kits Fan Page on Facebook - we love to see what you've crafted! 

Thanks so much for visiting today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Traveller's Notebook Challenge with Nathalie

Hi there!

It is my first time creating a challenge in one of my favorite memory documenting formats, Traveler's Notebooks.  It is no secret, I  love TNs, and keep a daily visual journal of my everyday life, plus a few other side projects -all in TN formats-.   I love the format as it allows me to combine the graphic look of a scrapbook page, and the journal look of my dairies.

By now, some of you are receiving the Pleasant Valley Kits (aren't they gorgeous?!!!), well this month two new sets of stamps were also added to the store,  Spencer Alphabet and Spencer Alphabet outline.    I love the large font and clear look of the alphas, so i decided to used them to document some every day memories in my personal journal.

For the first entry, i decided first on a color combination that will make everything pop.   Then i used the Spencer Alpha stamp set to create the large title of this layout. 

The impact of the title makes it one of the focus of the page, so i made sure that it told the story of the picture. 

Love the colors in this month's Pleasant Valley PL kit, so it was easy to stay in the same color combo when adding the clusters around the picture. To finish this page, i added a few more stamping sentiments using the TN stamp set.    Any clues on what the challenge is, yet? Let me give you another hint.

For this page, I chose to tell the story by using the Spencer Alpha Outline Stamp set to create a large title. 

To bring life into the page, stamped the title on different papers from the Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit, and then fussy cut around them, the font is so clean and crisp that it took no time to get this done.

The letters were then glued to form the large title, and this time i added stamped sentiments using this month's add-on stamp set.

How lucky  was i to find a few sunglassed  in the puffy stickers from the Goldenrot collection, included in this month's embellishment kit, they complete my title.  Since the story is told in the title, i just used one of the labels, from the Emerson collection stickers included in the main kit, and used it to hide the rest of the journal in a pocket behind the picture.

By now you have guessed this week's challenge:  CREATE A LARGE TITLE.  Use stamps, alphas, paper or the Spencer Alpha stamp sets to create titles that will tell the story of your page and create lots of impact on your pages.   Trust me it, once you build the title, 80% of your page is done.  So you will be able to produce them in no time!

Remember to share with us what you create with this challenge either on social media using @citrustwistkits or #citrustwistkits or on CTK friends page on Facebook.  I cannot wait how you interprete the challenge.

XO

Lovely Friend - A 6x8 layout with Anna

Hi dear scrappy friends! Anna here with you today and I'm so excited to share with you another happy page made with the fabulous CTK November Sunshine In My Soul kits.

I mostly scrap in 12x12 format when comes to layouts but lately I've started to use various formats. That keeps me "on my toes" I think, lol! This time I've used the 6x8 size, inspired by two of my role models Emma and Trina. It's quite challenging with the small area but I do really like that all the embellishments seems so big and I love the impact it gives to my page. So don't be affraid of using another format than you usually does, sometimes it gives you a eureka moment in your creativity.

Enough babbling, here's what I came up with using the November Scrapbook kit and the lovely Embellishment kit as well. And, I almost forgot to tell that even my design is a little bit inspired by one of Emma's pages, you find it here :) thanks Em!

I love this multi colored striped paper by Paige evans Whimsical collection, makes my heart sing. I found some vellum in my stash (from an earlier CTK kit actually) that I add on the top of my paper just to soften it a tiny bit. Thank you Emma for that idea:)

Ahhh! these clouds! To die for, and I really really like that they seems so big when using this smaller format for my page. Just fabulous! :)

I had so much fun making this layout an I really hope it provided some new inspiration. Be sure to have a look at my lovely teammates gorgeous creations as well. They have totally rocked this months kits (actually they always does).
Needing some of the kits or maybe a subscription, hop on over here for more details.

So glad you're joining us here today! Anna xo

Sunday Sketch Fun with Amanda Baldwin

Hi CTK Friends!

It's time for a little Sunday Funday scrapbooking with today's installment of the
Sunday Sketch challenge!
Here's what today's awesome sketch looks like......

Told you it was awesome! Such a fun sketch to get your creativity ignited!

Here's my take on it using our beautiful November Kits...

"Whimsy"

Sigh! Talk about Sunshine in my soul! Such a bright and happy page! 

CTK Supplies: Sunshine In My Soul Scrapbook Kit, Pattern Paper Play Kit, Embellishment Kit.

Other: Typewriter journaling. 

This month's kits are jam packed with SO many rainbow brights and gorgeous patterns, that I just had to create a whimsical, playful page with them! Here's a closer look....

Hearts, clouds, butterflies - this sweet page has it all! 

You'll spy all the Pink Paislee Paige Evans Whimsical pretties here! That divine stripe paper (#16) is from the Pattern Paper Play Kit this month & is super striking! It's B-side is that tiny hearts paper in the photo layers - I know, so good! 

The other pattern paper I have featured is also from the Whimsical collection (#9) and is from the  Scrapbook Kit.  

I follow the sketch fairly accurately, only varying a few details for cloud embellishments. I love the design ease that sketches offer, and just enjoy pairing colors and adornments to compliment my photo and story. 

How gorgeous are those cloud embellishments?! You'll spot them in Ephemera, Thickers and even in Puffy Stickers. And let's not forget the butterfly and heart Whimsical Rub-Ons from the Embellishment Kit - totally adore these!

To make my title 'pop', I adhere it with foam dots for added dimension & interest. 

For finishing touches, I add a few typed sentiments for my journaling, So sweet, so happy, so beautiful. Perfect! 

I hope I have inspired you to dive into your November Kits & play along with today's Sunday Sketch! 

I can't wait to see your creative takes on it! 

Be sure to share them with us in the Citrus Twist Kits Facebook Fan Page HERE. 

Thanks so much for visiting today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

A Whimsical Tuesday Tutorial with Amanda Baldwin!

Hi CTK Friends!

Amanda here, for more November Kits inspiration with this month's edition of the Tuesday Tutorial!
I just fell head over heels with all the gorgeous papers and embellishments in the Sunshine In My Soul Scrapbook Kit - SO.much.pretty!!! I was especially drawn to all the Whimsical collection items from Paige Evans, and couldn't resist using them for today's post.
Here's what I've created.....

"Whimsical Dream"

CTK Supplies: Sunshine In My Soul Scrapbook Kit, November Embellishment Kit, Vicki Boutin Field Notes 'Ink Spill' Stencil

Other Supplies: Shimmerz Paints Paste-eez in Peach Fuzz, & Shimmerz Paints Vibez in Pop Art Pink and Sweetheart. 

Sigh! Full of whimsy indeed!
Happy girls are the prettiest, and when you team their photo with fussy cuts from the Paige Evan's Whimsical paper #3, you're bound to have sunshine in your soul!
I may have sat for an hour fussy cutting this entire sheet of paper, but I honestly think it was worth it!
Once cut, I played around with the layout design and what would work best for my tiny photo. I then applied my mixed media element, & added all those pretty blooms! It was then a case of lots of embellishments and pretty adornments to my sweet photo.
Let's take a closer look.....

Aren't they gorgeous girls?! Celebrating the happy life, for sure!

The Thickers from the Embellishment Kit are fabulous! Just look at that shiny foil title! 

And I'm loving those Vicki Boutin Field Notes "Ink Spill" stencil hearts! 

SO many pretty details from florals, to hearts and those sweet butterflies! Perfect for these two whimsical girls!

Just beautiful! 

There's a process video for today's tutorial & you can check it out on my channel here.

I hope I've inspired you to get creating with your November Kits!  & that you enjoy watching my video! (Please be sure to hit that subscribe button as I'd LOVE to see you on my subscribers list!) 

Thanks so much for joining me today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Tuesday Tutorial with Nathalie

Hi CTK friends! Nathalie with you today to show you how you can create two different pages by  using both one single sheet of paper as inspiration.   This month's  Little Things kit is packed with goodies from Pinkfresh Studio's Indigo Hills 2 collection, and as soon as i saw the Ridge paper from Pinkfresh Studio all i could think about is all the possibilities.

For my first page, I decided to use the b  side of the paper.  The ombre effect of the paper gave me the idea to use all the colors to back some of the new free cut files - this one is called Floral Cluster-.

For the background, i used some of the Pinkfresh Studio watercolors to add some of those purple accents to the background, and this ensures all the details of the cut file and soft colors show.

I used the Indigo Hills 2 ephemera pack  and the Crate Paper's WIllow Lane collection included in the Little Things kit to create interest around the picture and also the title of this page.  A few of the stickers and wood stickers from the Embellishment kits were perfect to add small interest to the page.
The following video will give you a more in depth look at how the page came together:

Love how this turned out!  The soft colors of the paper are accented by the watercolor background, and then all the stamped sentiments from this month's Add On stamp just complete this page.

But like I mentioned, I wanted to fully use the paper, so after backing the cut file, i used the leftover piece to create some crosses and a layer for the Sunday Sketch project, and then carefully cut the hexagon shapes from the A side of  the paper  and used them to create this new page:

Once i had all the hexagons cut from the Pinkfresh Studio Ridge paper -included in the Little Things Scrapbook Kit-; I pulled the Embellishment kit's hexagon wooden stickers to create this rainbow layout.

Once again, i used the Pinkfresh Studio watercolors to create the background of the page.  My idea was to create hexagon shapes that mixed and matched with long watercolor brush strokes.  Then used the fussy cut hexagons, some of the ephemera pieces and the wooden stickers to add interest to the colorful background.

Since the background is colorful and filled with texture, I chose to keep the embellishments simple and instead added lots of sentiments around the hexagons using some stickers from the embellishment kit and stamped sentiments from the Little Things TN stamp.  The following video will give you a look at how this was put together.

Isn't it amazing how the Little Things Scrapbook Kit can yield such a diverse look to your scrapbook pages.   I only wished i could have bought the Patterned Paper kit so that i could have played further with the kit.    Remember to check all the kits and stamps in the CTK shop, and if you have questions on how this came together, just contact me!

XO