Travelers Notebook and Bible Journaling with Patricia

Hello beautiful CTK friends!  I hope you are enjoying or soon will be enjoying your kit(s).  The colors and patterns of the papers in the Life Crafted kit, inspire me like crazy.  They inspire me also to try something I don't normally do, and that is to use a very vibrant and busier pattern paper for a background.  

So picking out my background pattern paper, I adhered that into my Traveler's Notebook on the right side.   Before finishing that side, I went to the left side and used another pattern paper, but in a neutral color and less busy pattern.  Then using the Let's Wander stamp set with the color inspiration from the pattern paper on the right, I started stamping.  I did some stamping right on the pattern paper, but did a lot of stamping onto more pattern paper and then detail cut out.  That soft orange really complements the right side.  

For my photos, I used the This is Life digital stamps available this month in Photoshop Elements for my photos.  If you don't have software to work with your photos, you could also stamp directly onto your photo, like I did on my pattern papers.  I was able to create a clipping mask, so the photo shows only within the first circle and have a border.  If stamping, it would not have that white circle border.  I filled in with a little bit of embellishments and stamping to finish it, but since it covers most of the page, I turned to the subscriber's Explore Cut Aparts, using one of the labels to type my journaling in Photoshop Elements.

Then back to the right side, I printed a larger photo, layered with the same pattern paper I used for one of the circles on the left, added some die cuts, and the puffy stickers from the kit.  

Keeping the details on this side lighter, lets the photo and the paper be balanced.

I love the vintage feel but also modern feel of this spread.  I have another project to share with a video!  Inspired by all of my leftovers, I decided to share a Bible Journaling entry with you today.

I used a combination of the subscriber cut file for this this month called Find Joy Everyday, using just the three hearts from it, die cuts and alpha stickers from the Life Crafted kit, the Crate Paper stickers and die cuts from the Add-On kit, the Let's Wander Stamp, The Travelers Notebook Stamp, and the Typewriter Font Stamp.  With those items picked, I started by stamping "wisdom," adding the hearts cut file, watercolors, journaling and then added in the stickers and die cuts.

I stayed with lots of blues and greens, but I love that tiny bit of the pink from the die cut heart.  To highlight my verses, I used the watercolors.  I was only going to do one side, but since part if it carried over, and I had my supplies out, I kept going!  

I used the Floral Circle cut file from this month to start this side, but used the clear gesso that I use to prep my pages as the glue for this larger piece.  I did the same as I did on the left side using the watercolors, and then added the die cuts, stickers and stamps.

If you do any kind of art journaling, Bible Journaling, anything other than documenting, this is a fun way to use your leftovers and try a different creative process.  You can watch my video on my YouTube channel here in HD or below.  Thank you so much for stopping by!!  Happy creating!

Sunday Sketch with Kira

Hey there!  It's Kira and I am back with another Sunday Sketch.  Here's a look at our sketch this week:

My favorite part about this sketch is the sewn strips of paper, so I started with that, and sort of built my layout up from there.  Here's a look at my finished layout:

I used the September Add-on kits only for this page, and I am obsessed with all of the Maggie Holmes Heritage that is in here!  I started with the navy floral paper for my strips.  I originally cut up different patterned papers and thought I would do a variety, but I loved the navy floral so much that I decided to just stick with that.  I cut the paper up in 1/2" strips, and then cut them at varying widths.

The photos I am using are of my son at Target.  We sneak off to Target about once a week and have so much fun just browsing the aisles.  He loves the home goods areas where they usually have a few chairs set up, he calls it the "cozy spot".  So for my title I chose "together" because that is what this time at Target is all about, just us having some fun together.

I stuck pretty close to the sketch as far as placement so my pictures are set apart from each other on different levels of the page.  I bumped them both up on some foam.

I added a final strip of paper at the top of my page.  Then I did some simple embellishing with the die cut pack and sticker book.

I can't wait to see how you interpret this sketch!  Make sure to tag us on social media and share in our Facebook group!

xo,

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

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