3 to Inspire | Gina

Hi everyone, welcome to another edition of the 3 to Inspire challenge. I hope that you can play along and all you need to do is follow along with the prompts below. My layout was created with the Sonoma main kit and the embellishment kit

My 3 prompts this week are:

1. write your journaling on a tag

2. add least 2 hearts (they can be embellishments, stamping or hand drawn)

3. use a single photo

I've framed the photo here with layers of paper, a sticker, die-cut and journal tab

The tag is a great way to add colour and small amount of journaling

Now it's your turn! Share your creation with us in the CTK gallery and/or the Facebook fan page by Saturday January 3rd for your chance to win. You can also upload to Instagram and tag us @citrustwistkits. Have fun!

As this is my final design team project and blog post for Citrus Twist, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Trina, it's been an absolute blast being on this team, I think for what must be getting close to 3.5 years over 2 stints and I couldn't think of a better team than this, creating with these gorgeous kits each month has been so much fun, thanks for everything Trina! xox

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Sunday Sketch | Gina + Anna

Hi everyone, Gina and Anna here today, sharing our projects with you, based on this fun sketch!

We hope you can play along as well and we would love to see your take on this sketch. To enter the challenge, post your project in the CTK gallery and/or Facebook group with today's date (November 26) in the title

Here is my take, I've created an 8.5 x 11 inch page, while sticking to the sketch quite closely. I love how the design allows for plenty of white space. I've used just the Stories main kit here

 The die-cut pack in this kit goes such a long way

How beautiful are the gold and glitter elements included?

Thanks for stopping by, now it's Anna's turn

Gina x

Hi lovelies! I'm so happy to be teaming up with Gina to create two different interprets of the same sketch. It's a dream come true for me :), thank you lovely Gina!

Here's my take on the gorgeous sketch.

I 've created a Traveler's Notebook spread and I sticked pretty close to the sketch as well, just flipped it a bit. I've used just CTK November Stories Main Kit here.

I love those CTK exclusive chipboard stickers and the glittery words and stars.

The black strip with white text are the strip from the Elle's Studio paper, works perfect here.

Yup, told you I'm totally in love with those glittery words!

Also I'm totally crushing on these lovely clear stamps, they are so versatile, works perfectly well for layouts, PL and TN's as well.

Well, thats all for now! Can't wait to see your interprets!

Thanks for stopping by! Anna xo

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3 to Inspire | Gina

Happy Saturday everyone and welcome to another fun challenge! Just play along with the 3 prompts for a chance to win

Here are your prompts!

1. use a stamp for part of your title

2. incorporate 3 love hearts

3. add a floral element

Here is my take on the prompts

I created this page with the October main kit and loved the pretty mix of bright patterns, florals, stickers and those tickets! They are so great to layer and make a perfect border for your design

my mixed title was created with the main kit word stamp, which I stamped onto a cut out journal tab, adding a heart sticker and finishing with these bright alpha stickers

I hope you will also play along with this one, I can't wait to see what you create!

Don't forget to upload your entry to the CTK gallery and/or Facebook Fan Page by Saturday November 4th for your chance to win.

Happy Saturday,

Gina x

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Sunday Sketch | Gina + Leigh

Hi everyone, Gina and Leigh here today, sharing our projects with you based on this fun sketch!

We hope you can play along as well this week, we'd love to see your take on this sketch. To enter the challenge, post your project in the CTK gallery and/or Facebook Group page with today's date (Oct 8) in the title

First up is my take.. this layout was created with the beautiful Good Vibes main kit.  I've followed the sketch pretty closely apart from at the base of the layout.  I've also added in a couple of journal tabs and stamped on them. 

I've used a foam pop dot under the star die-cut for added dimension

I'm absolutely loving the "perfect" stamp in the main kit stamp set,  it's going to be a go-to fave for sure!

Thanks for visiting and Happy Sunday all!

Gina x

I'll hand you over to Leigh Ann to share her lovely project..

My "Sweet Things Season" layout is pretty close to the sketch. I added strips of the colorful patterned paper to the top and bottom of the layout and kept the embellishment areas like the sketch.

I used most of the frames from the Pink Paislee Turn the Page die cut pack to form an interlocking frame backdrop for the photo. Frames were added to the other two embellishment clusters to unite the page. I had fun stamping the kit stamp sentiments in bright colors that coordinate with the page

I stitched through the kit alpha, and love the different colours included in the pack

Close up view of the groupings on this page. Staples and stickers and labels from the kit create some interest.

Thanks to Gina for letting me join in this Sunday Sketch today:)

Leigh

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photo frame layouts | main + embellishment kits | Gina

Hi everyone, today I'm sharing a couple of layouts created with the gorgeous Twin Falls main kit and the embellishment kit

For my first project, I've framed the photo with a few paper layers including torn edges for texture and embellished with die cuts and sticker along with a phrase clip and wooden button from the embellishment kit

I've used a few foam dots under all the layers to even up the space created by the phrase clip on the right hand side.

On this page, I've created another frame and done a little fussy cutting of floral elements from patterned paper, teaming them with floral die cuts and stars. The softness of the foam thickers phrase allows it to be added straight under the photo without overpowering the design or papers beneath

I hope you're having as much fun with your September kits, don't forget to share your creations with us in the Facebook group and/or CTK gallery! 

Gina

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Tutorial: Mixed Media Background

Hi everyone, Gina here to share with you a step-by-step for creating a mixed media background. This is a favourite process to use when creating my layouts. You can also use this technique on white card stock or patterned papers but I love the chalky contrast of the white gesso against kraft card stock

To start, I've chosen a small b+w photo and a few possible embellishments and ephemera pieces from the gorgeous Photo Booth main kit

Lightly pencil in the position for your photo and, using a flexible plastic card or palette knife, scrape thin layers of gesso onto the card stock, working in different directions. I prefer do multiple thin layers and add in a few thicker patches, cutting lines into them, with the edge of the card or knife to add lines for texture

Once the gesso is dry (usually only takes about 5 minutes) start adding some colour with distress stains or a similar product. I've used 3 colours here; a gold and two different pinks and I usually blend them around with my fingers a bit

Applying the stain slightly outside the gesso  will result in a more intense colour directly on the card stock. Wipe off excess stain with paper towel, or if you prefer the colour brighter leave as is

I also added some random white splotches with a paint pen

Add a few watercolour splatters in a contrasting colour

Frame the  photo with a piece of patterned paper and tag. A torn edge to the paper is an easy way to add contrast and texture.

Position embellishments, ephemera and title roughly where you want them. I've add some cotton thread under the button and star



Now it's time to stick everything down. I changed the journal tag to a different colour and stamped a phrase onto it

A good quality black felt tip pen is an easy way to add some 'controlled' splatters to your page

Here is the final result (with a couple of graphite scribbles and more stamping under the b+w flowers)

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you're now tempted to have play around with backgrounds sometime using this technique. It's a fun way to customise colours to compliment your papers and embellishments and I can guarantee that every page will be unique! x

Gina

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Explore | Gina Rodgers

Hi everyone, I'm sharing one of my July pages with you today, created with the #rightnow main and sprinkles kits. I've gone for a grungy feel on the background, which I've built up with layers of distress stains, ink, watercolour paint, graphite scribbles and stamping.  I've chosen papers from the main kit which replicated the muted colours in the photo

I've trimmed the 'this is it' cork arrow to a different style arrow and inked the edges. The die-cut pack in the Sprinkles kit is perfect for a travel themed layout

Thanks for looking, I hope you've been having fun with your July kits, standby for lots of inspiration from August kit creations starting tomorrow!

Gina

3 to Inspire | Gina Rodgers

Happy Saturday all..it's time for another 3 to Inspire challenge!

Each Saturday, a member of our team prepares 3 prompts to serve as starting points for a project. In order to play along with us AND be eligible for a prize, you must create a project that includes all three prompts. Here are this weeks prompts:

1. use 2 journal tags

2. use some foam tape or tabs to create dimension

3. include 2 or more wood veneer embellishments

For this page, I used the May Hello Beautiful and Pattern Paper Play kits

I've used some foam squares under the flower die cut and also under a couple of the stickers in the title below. This is a great way to make something 'pop' and add dimension to your page

The wood veneer shapes and phrases are always a favourite of mine and being neutral, will go with any colours and patterns you chose to use

Now it's your turn! Simply create a project using the 3 prompts and upload to the CTK gallery with today's date [5/27] in the title for your chance to win a small prize from the CTK store. Have fun!

Gina x

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3 to Inspire | Gina Rodgers

Hi everyone, welcome to another 3 to Inspire challenge! Hopefully these simple prompts will help you kickstart your weekend crafting. As a bonus when you upload your project you're in with a chance to win a voucher for the CTK store!

Here are your prompts:

1. add a hand-cut embellishment from patterned paper

2. use some staples or tiny attachers

3. add a triangle of patterned paper to (any) corner of your page

Here's my take, created with the April 'Sophie' main kit 

My 'hand-cut' embellishment is the butterfly, I've also added some die cuts and puffy sticker. Tiny attachers/staples are a great way to add some texture to your page

Now it's your turn! Use the 3 prompts to create your project and upload to the CTK gallery and/or Facebook Fan page. I'm looking forward to seeing your creations, have fun!

Gina x
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