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.

Travelers Notebook Challenge with Marsha

Hey friends!  Marsha here, and I'm hosting this week's Travelers Notebook Challenge!  I used the Life Crafted "Around Here" kit, along with the This is Life "Routine" stamp and the Travelers Notebook stamp.

My challenge for you today is to create a TN layout documenting one of your crafty or creative projects.  Here's a look at the spread I created documenting my first garment sewing adventure:

My mom is an amazing seamstress, but this is not a skill that I have inherited!  I love adding stitching to my scrapbook pages, but an actual garment is much more challenging for me.  It was fun getting this little story about myself documented.

The June "Around Here" kit is perfect for this type of project.  There are so many fun embellishments in the kit that work great for this type of documenting.  To begin my spread, I printed some photos of my sewing project.  I chose to highlight one photo on the page, and I added a tag behind the photo to hold the journaling and an additional photo.  I created the tag using one of this month's exclusive subscriber printable journaling cards.

The cute sewing machine ephemera piece worked perfectly on my page.  I added some stamping and used the tile alphas included in the kit to spell out the word "sewing."

For my title, I used a puffy foam phrase sticker and an ephemera die cut piece.  I absolutely LOVE the black puffy foam stickers this month and may have almost used the entire sheet!  They are great for titles and also include some fun icons.

To finish off the spread, I added some machine stitching to several areas on the page.  This was the perfect touch for my project about sewing.

Here's one final look at my TN layout:

Thanks for joining me today.  I can't wait to see your take on this week's TN Challenge!

Traveler's Notebook Challenge with Suzanna

Hey crafty pals, Suzanna here! I'm back today with a traveler's notebook challenge for you! I'm still loving my Life Crafted album - it's TN size, but with the ease of pockets - so it's probably no surprise that I created a layout for my album!

First I'm going to share how I put the layout together, then I'll share the challenge items at the end of this post. As soon as I saw the blue adventure card in this month's kit, I knew I wanted to chop it up and use it across a TN sized layout. I cut the card right at the white line.

I placed the small half on a piece of white card stock that I cut down to size. The larger piece went on the right side of the layout, layered over a piece of patterned paper from the kit.

Behind the card, I scraped a bit of coral/peach colored acrylic gouache to add a bit of texture. On top of the blue card piece, I stamped a phrase from the stamp set in a light grey chalk ink over and over. I knew I would be adding my photo over this side, so I didn't worry about making it perfect.

I created embellishment clusters around the layout using puffy stickers, stamps, and die cut pieces from the kit. The flower cluster on the right page is actually one flower that I cut in half and layered, creating a floral bouquet look.

As with most of my layouts, I finished it all off with splatters of gold craft mist. I love when I open a kit and am immediately struck with ideas, based off a single item.

Okay, now for the challenge pieces! First, I challenge you to use your kit elements in new ways. If you want to get more specific, I challenge you to cut your kit elements to create new ways to use them! The second piece of today's challenge is using a bit of "mixed media" on your layout. This can be as simple as some craft mist and gouache, like I used here, or more intricate using your favorite mixed media techniques.

I hope this layout and challenge inspired you to use your Life Crafted kit in new ways. I cannot wait to see what y'all create!

Traveler's Notebook Challenge with Marsha

Hey friends!  Marsha here today, and I'm excited to share a TN challenge with you.  For my layout, I used the May Life Crafted "Excursions" Kit, the This is Life "Free Spirit" Stamps, and the digital Free Spirit stamps.

Here's a look at my TN layout:

My challenge for you is to use the digital stamps and hand stitching in your traveler's notebook.  I used the colorful leaf patterned paper as inspiration for this page.  To begin the layout, I used Photoshop to enlarge and recolor the leaf stamp from the digital Free Spirit stamps.  I printed it on vellum at about 3 inches wide.  Using a piercing tool, I followed the edges of the image and did a simple back stitch using white embroidery floss.  This took extra time, but I love how it turned out!  I adhered it to the page using liquid glue, being careful to only add the glue to the stitching so it would not show through the vellum.

For the other side of the page, I adhered my photo to a tag from the ephemera pack.  I used some other die cuts from the pack to embellish the page, adding staples and twine for interest and texture.

Using the Free Spirit stamp set, I stamped some leaves using two different colors of ink to match the layout.  I fussy cut them and tucked them under the edge of the photo.  It's always fun to add stamped embellishments to a project.

For the title, I trimmed one of the die cuts and used the aqua mint puffy alpha stickers to finish it off.  I added a few more stamps from the stamp set and stamped the date at the bottom of the spread.

Here's a final look at the completed project:

Thank you for joining me today!  I hope you will try adding a digital stamp and hand stitching to your next TN spread.  Be sure to share your project using this challenge on the Citrus Twist Kits Fan Page on Facebook or using #citrustwistkits on Instagram.

Traveler's Notebook Challenge with Suzanna

Hey friends, Suzanna here! I'm so excited to be sharing a TN challenge with you today. For my TN layout, I took advantage of the freedom that comes with the Life Crafted Album - you can create a TN sized layout, but pop it in your album when you're done. I love that I don't have to fuss with the chunky TN insert or the bound spine, but can still create layouts based on one of my favorite sizes!

Rather than creating two 4x8" layouts like I would for a regular traveler's notebook layout, I created a 4x8" page for one side of the layout, and embellished one of the 3x8" cards that came in this month's kit to use as the other side. To add the smaller card to my pocket, I used my fuse tool to make one of the Life Crafted Album pockets a bit smaller.

For the 4x8" page, I trimmed down a 4x6" photo and added layers with a mix of journal cards and patterned papers that came in the kit. I made the largest layer our of the speckled patterned paper that matched the 3x8" card I planned to use on the opposite side of the layout.

Then I created small embellishment clusters around the photo. My photo was edited to have a subtle pink tone to it, which worked well with the pink/coral patterned papers and embellishments. I love the way everything is complementary, but still has a little pop.

To tie the right side of my layout in with the page I created, I added a few stars and small embellishments in the bottom corner, along with my date stamp.

Finally, I finished off the layout with splatters of gold craft mist in the same places I created my embellishment clusters. I love the way this pulled it all together and really gave it the finishing touch I was looking for.

Now, let's get into the challenge I have for you guys today! The first challenge is to use a photo that is what I will call an "off size." Basically, instead of using a standard sized photo (3x4", 4x8", or 4x6"), I'm challenging you to trim your photo to a size you don't normally use. You'll be surprised how much something as small as this can alter your creative process and overall outcome. I loved playing with this size and plan to do it a lot more in the future!

Next, I challenge you to incorporate a 3x8" card in your layout. Whether that is as a whole page, like I chose to do, or just as an element on your overall layout - that's up to you. Get creative and jump out of your comfort zone! Lastly, if you're feeling up for another challenge, I'll encourage you to use your journal cards as layers in your layout. One of my favorite uses for journaling cards are as layering pieces on layouts of all sizes. They work great!

I hope this layout and challenge gave you a bit of inspiration for your next TN layout. I'll be back soon with more crafty inspiration, but in the mean time, you can share your creations with me over on Instagram! I can't wait to see what y'all are making with this month's kits!

TN Challenge with Sarah

Hi, CTK friends!

It's Sarah here today back with another TN challenge.  Today we're breaking out our stamps and getting inky! :)

My challenge for you today is to create a stamped background in your TN.  There are many ways you could go about this challenge- from sectioning off areas to stamp to stamping on cardstock and then adding it into your notebook like pattern paper.  Or, you can just go all out like I did here and ink up both pages of the spread!

This month the gorgeous Magic Happens stamp set released from CTK and I found myself instantly in love with this little gem so that's what I decided to use on my pages here.

I started with the two tags that are in the stamp set because they are the largest pieces and provide the most structure due to their shape.  Once I had those down, I started slowly adding in sentiments using a few different ink colors.  I stuck to only a few colors since this page is already quite busy.  After all of the stamping was done I didn't really need to add much of anything else, but I did embellish a bit more using some pieces from this month's Pocket Life kit.  I like how those elements bring in a different texture.

I'd love for you to give this challenge a try. :)

Happy Crafting!