Sunday Sketch with Emma

Hi everyone!  It's Emma here to share this week's Sunday Sketch challenge.

First up, here is the sketch I worked from:

As you can see, the main focus of this sketch is to use multiple photo's on your layout.  The great thing about sketches is we don't have to stick with the design completely, we can use it as our starting point and go from there!

Multiple photo's on my small 6x8 pages is tough so for this one I kept with the general grid layout but instead of using 4 photo's, I used 4 groupings of patterned paper and added a single photo on top!

I also turned the sketch upside down so the "title" grouping was at the bottom of my page but instead of making it my title, I made it a cluster of paper/embellishments.  And for my title I used one of the veneer words over my photo and grouped with my journaling, just like the sketch only in a different position :)

My finished page is a bit different that the original sketch but I think it's still easy to see where the inspiration came from :)  As I mentioned earlier, that's one of the great things about using as sketch, you don't have to follow it exclusively, they can be such a great starting platform!

Now it's your turn to take on this week's sketch!

We love to see what you do with our kits and sketches so please make sure to upload your projects to the Citrus Twist Gallery. And remember, by uploading your take on today's sketch to the gallery you will be entered to win a $5 Coupon to use on anything in the CTK Store!  Just remember to include the date of the sketch to the title line :)

Thanks, Em xo

3 Layouts - Gina Rodgers

Hi everyone, I'm sharing a few layouts today, created with the January Main 'Verona'+ Sprinkles kits

I've used just the main kit on this first page, beginning with a mixed media background using gesso, mists, inks and graphite.

For this page, I've created a background with mists and distress stains, using a minimal colour scheme of blues and gold. I've used a single doily and cut a section from behind the photo adding it to the edge of the page. I've also added texture with a left over strip of deli paper used in this layout

It was very exciting to create with the first piece of CTK patterned paper in the main kit. I'm loving the muted pinks and orange and have used a large triangle in the corner of the page, along with a few scraps from other sheets. A soft watercolour background helps tie in all the colours. and I've finished with stamping, graphite and ink splatters

Thanks for looking and happy scrapping!
Gina

Sunday Sketch with Missy Whidden

Hey there, Citrus Twist fans!  Missy here with you today, and I'm so excited to bring you this week's Sunday Sketch.  It's an awesome sketch, and this month's kits are just perfect to use for it.  I love the square photo, the layering, and those fun corner pieces.  Sketches are such a fun jumping off point to get your scrappy juices flowing!

Here is what I created based on this sketch.  I stayed pretty true to it.  I started with one of the Seven Paper sheets for my background.  I added a bit of white gesso and then some bright blue acrylic paint.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut some messy rectangular frames out of the Basic Grey paper and built my layers on top of that.  I used a lot of the Maggie Holmes papers for this as well as the fun printable cut-apart sheet.

I love all of these bright colors together!  I love layering bits and pieces around my photo.  I used one of the fun flair buttons, one of the Heidi Swapp scripty puffy stickers, one of the sentiments from the branding strip of the exclusive CTK papers, exclusive wood veneer...so many little details!  I used a foam brush to apply the acrylic paint.  I wanted a messy brush stroke effect.

I added some cord to the cut-apart tag here and layered it behind the photo.  I also added in some pink tangled thread behind the flair button.  That is a great way to add a pop of color and some fun texture to your page.

I fussy cut more pieces here and did lots of machine stitching.  I also used some of the exclusive CTK stamps on my layout.  They are super fun and can be used in so many ways!

Here's my process video if you'd like to see how this layout came together.  Thanks for watching!

Okie dokie...that is my layout!  I hope it has inspired you in some way.  I hope you use it to create something amazing!  If you do use the sketch, make sure you upload it to the Citrus Twist Gallery by next Saturday to be eligible for a $5 coupon to the store!  Be sure to add "1/17" to the title line so we know what sketch you're using.  I can't wait to see what everyone makes!

Have a fabulous day!

Missy :) 

Tuesday Tutorial with Gina

Hi everyone, it's wonderful to be back on the CTK team and creating with these gorgeous kits once again. I'm sharing a step-by-step process of my first layout using the January Main and Sprinkles kits

Initially I was planning on a misted background, but even though I applied a clear gesso primer before misting,  the card stock still buckled a bit, so I grabbed a piece of deli (sheer) paper and placed it over the misted section. Where the colour showed through the deli paper, I used a paint brush to go over with some (slightly watered down) mists. once dry I added some subtle graphite scribbles

and started layering pieces, placing some under the sheer paper. The twine was kit packaging, a lovely touch Trina adds to the kits and perfect for adding in some colour and texture

the next step was to adhere the sheer paper with a light application of acid free glue stick, machine stitching and a few embellishments

to finish I've added some journaling, title alphabet stickers and a wood veneer arrow

Thanks for stopping by..I hope you'll consider including an extra layer like this, it adds a lovely softness to the overall page and handles the watercolour/mists well too (and of course it can also help to cover up a false start!)

Gina Rodgers

Sunday Sketch with Wendy

Hello Citrus Twist Kits fans (hey, say that three times fast, ha)! First up, I'm honored and delighted to be here today sharing my first post as a Citrus Twist Kits Designer for 2016! (insert a silent woot woot)  Thanks Tricia for the invite!  

I received January 2016 Main "Verona" and Sprinkles Kits and they were nothing short of amazing! The January kit colors and embellishments spoke to me and so did this sketch below (designed by Mira Jurecka).  Who doesn't love a great sketch? Oh, and the starburst effect screamed "try me"!  So, I did.

I prefer to scrap in 9x12 format.  I converted last year to this size instead of the routine 12x12 and never looked back.  Maybe it's my love for smaller albums but this size just works for me.  So, my take on the sketch shows you how you can easily adapt a 12x12 sketch to work for you in whatever size you choose to design your page.

For the sunburst pattern in the sketch, I knew I wanted to use the yellow paper in the January 2016 Main "Verona" Kit.  It was the perfect splash of color all bright and sunshiny for the new year!  Also, I chose to flow with one shade of color so the layout would not be 'overwhelmed' by busy papers and busy colors.  One shade of color is perfect for highlighting and balancing out a dominant pattern such as the starburst effect. 

I freehand cut the sunburst pattern of the sketch.  I used a ruler and pencil to measure and draw lines for the pattern on the reverse side of the paper.  Then I used scissors to cut out the starburst pattern.  

*Hint: Make sure to leave space a the top of the starburst pattern so that you do not accidentally cut away all the reverse pieces and your starburst 'rays' fall apart.  You can easily cover the area at the top of the starburst with your photos. 

I accented the starburst pattern by misting black mist spray (from my stash) and fun embellishments from the January 2016 Main "Verona" Kit   

*Hint: Make sure to spray mist your base cardstock PRIOR to adhering your starburst pattern. 

At the top of my layout, I chose to use exclusive Citrus Twist Kits wood veneers from the kit (insert, that I felt like hoarding) to accent the date as shown in the sketch.  A slightly different twist on the sketch in this area of the design.  Then, add the foam and puffy x's or +'s as a fun accent to add to your mini tags and randomness of your layout design.

What about that title of wood veneers? I'm a huge fan of stamps plus wood veneers and so here is the marriage of both in my title.  "Adventure" is a Heidi Swapp accent word from the kit and "the plot thickens" is a Citrus Twist Kits exclusive wood veneer in the kit.  Loveeeee. 

January 2016 Main "Verona" Kit

Now it's your turn. If you want to play along with this week's Sunday Sketch and be eligible to win a $5 gift certificate, create a project based off of the sketch and upload it to CTK Gallery by next Saturday. Please make sure to include "Sketch 1/10" to the title line of your project.

I hope I inspired you and you enjoyed my take on this week's Sunday Sketch!

Wendy 

3 To Inspire with Emma

Hi everyone!  Emma here to share this week's 3 To Inspire challenge!  I'm a big fan of these recipe challenges and this week I would love for you to join me using the following prompts:

1 - Use 4 (or more) pattern papers.  Bonus points if you use them to make/fill a shape of some sort!
2 - Use two different alpha's on your page
3 - Include at least 3 photo's!

As a reminder, your project can be a Project Life page or a scrapbook page but it must include all three (3) prompts on it!

Here's my take using the January kits:

I usually struggle with multiple photo's on my pages - but this photostrip was perfect for the four photo's as I was able to keep it on a smaller scale without them looking too small.

For my pattern paper I cut a few stars (my favourite!) using my trusty BigShot then cut small pieces of pattern paper to fill the shape in.  I admit it may have been a little tedious but, oddly enough, I enjoyed it ;)    Another easy idea for including multiple pattern papers to form a shape is creating a pie-chart (circle shape + different papers for each "section"). 

For my title I used one of the words from the Project Life Puffy Phrase Stickers (Heidi Swapp) that are in this month's Main kit and added the Elliot Tiny Alphabet Stickers from the Pocket Life kit underneath.  Those little alpha's are adorable, wish I had a few more packs :)

 

Now it's your turn! Use the three prompts to create your own projects and share them with us here in the gallery and/or our Facebook Forum.  I can't wait to see your pages!

Thanks, Em xo

January Kit Love with Missy

Hey there!  Missy here with my very first post as a Design Team Member!  I'm so excited to be here and working with these beautiful kits!  Today I'm sharing a video sharing all the awesome goodies in the January Main "Verona" Kit and the Sprinkles Kit.  I'm also sharing my first layout I created using just the Main Kit.

Here is what is included in the Main Kit and the Sprinkles Kit.  You can also see the layout I created at the end of the video.

Here is a layout I created using only the Main Kit.  I love adding paints and gelatos to my projects, and I used some aqua acrylic paints and a few shades of aqua gelatos to create a fun background.  I used a palette knife to smudge the acrylic paint on and then used a water brush to color on the gelatos.  I did use a bit of white gesso first to create a layer for the paint.

I love the fun summer colors of these papers, and I used a few different sized circle punches to create the circles.  My favorite part of this layout is the fun wood veneer "adventure."

I punched this piece from the Maggie Holmes cut apart sheet and then machine stitched through it.  I used some yellow paint to color that little wood veneer heart.  That is part of the exclusive wood veneer package this month.

Here's another exclusive wood veneer.  I used some pink paint and a pink gelato to give it some color.  You can really see the texture created here from the gesso.  It also serves as a whitening agent and acts as a barrier.  The blue gelato stayed true to its color against the yellow paper because of the gesso.

This piece here is from the exclusive cut apart sheet this month.  The colors are so pretty, and they matched perfectly with my summer page.  I added in some yellow thread from my stash.

This gorgeous sherbet colored paper is a Citrus Twist exclusive this month, and it's gorgeous.  I added a stamped sentiment here (also an CTK exclusive), some machine stitching and a Heidi Swapp puffy arrow sticker.  That cute yellow and white label is from the cut apart sheet.

Finally, here is a look at the Heidi Swapp wood veneer.  I used gelatos, acrylic paint and watercolors to give it this look.  I just love how it turned out!  I paired it with some of the Studio Calico Seven Paper puffy alpha stickers and one of the cut apart sentiments.  Altering wood veneer is so fun!

I hope this inspires you create something fun and unique with your January Kits!  I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

Have a great day!

Missy