Love Love Love Layout with Missy

Hey there, Citrus Twist friends!  Missy here with you, and today I'm sharing my first layout using the February Main "Stories" Kit.  It is so beautiful, and it's full of pretty pinks, yellows, teals and lots of floral elements.  I've had this photo ready to scrap for quite some time, but the papers were never right.  This kit is perfect...it has just the right colors and elements.  I knew right away I had to get it scrapped!

I used a few cut apart pieces from one of the Maggie Holmes Bloom papers and paired it with some of the Pink Paislee ephemera pieces and stickers.  I did a bit of mixed media work on the background and used a flower stamp from my stash to create a few subtle hearts on some vellum.

I love how this cluster turned out.  I fussy cut the YOU banner from the cut-apart printable exclusive sheet and machine stitched it down.  I fussy cut that tea cup of flowers and layered it with the Pink Paislee ampersand.  The yellow tab and green label are from the exclusive printable as well.

I just adore these Thickers!  There are so many...including two different sizes of upper case letters.  I mixed and matched here to spell my daughter's name.

I used a flower stamp, ink and vellum from my stash to create a few subtle flowers for layering here, and I also added in some tangled thread.  I love how the pretty light blue contrasts with the pinks, yellows and greens in the papers and my photo.

I love that the Pink Paislee ephemera pack contains die cuts and acetate pieces.  I paired this piece here with one of the puffy stickers.  I also added in one of the white exclusive doilies as a layering piece.

Here's a look at my process video if you'd like to see how I put this page together from start to finish.  I hope you find some inspiration!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a great day!

Missy :)

Sunday Sketch with Michelle

Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by today to check out this week's Sunday Sketch Challenge!

This week the sketch features a single photo with lots of opportunities for layers and embellishments!

For my take on the sketch, I used both the February Main "Stories" Kit and Embellishment Kit. AND because I was feeling adventurous, I filmed my process for those of you who like to watch scrapbook layouts come together!  I've have included a video at the end of the post!

First though, here is my official take on this week's sketch:

As you can see, I took the sketch pretty literally and stuck to it pretty closely. The only difference is that chose to layer in a second piece of patterned paper (a 3x4 card cut from the Maggie Holmes Bloom cut apart paper) under the photo to add just a little bit of contrast to all the blues I had going on in the photo and papers. 

Now, it's your turn!  To play along with this week's Sunday Sketch Challenge, create a project based off of today's sketch, upload it to the gallery with the date of the challenge (2/7) in the title, and you will be eligible to win a $5 gift certificate to the CTK Store!

Now as promised, here is the video:

Looking forward to seeing what you all do!

Michelle

3 To Inspire with Suse

Hey everyone! I'm so happy to be back with you this month for another 3-to-Inspire challenge. 

To participate in this challenge all you need to do is make a project using my three prompts - it can be a layout or a Project Life spread, whichever you prefer. Once you're done, upload a piccie of your project to our gallery making sure that you include today's date (2/06) in the title.  If you're the lucky winner, you'll get a little treat from the CTK Store, so well worth playing along!

So here are my three prompts for your projects:

1. Use cut-out shapes from nature: butterflies, leaves, flowers, birds, etc. 

(You can use your cutting software or cut them by hand like me.)

2. Use stamped words as part of your background.

3. Mount your layout on a patterned paper 

(You can gut the middle as I did if you don't want to spare a whole sheet)

My layout was inspired by the gorgeous little butterfly that came on the cut-apart sheet in the February kit. It was just so pretty that I decided to use it as a template and cut a load more!

I layered up various papers, popping a bit of vellum in there too for that dreamy, subtle feel.

My journalling is tucked away on a tag tied with the pretty striped string that our kits come packaged with.

So now it's over to you: get out those nail scissors and enjoy a therapeutic half an hour of shape-snipping! Upload your work to our Citrus Twist Fan Page on Facebook, in our gallery, or on Instagram and don't forget to tag us, @citrustwistkits. Have fun, friends.

Pocket Life Sketch Friday with Pam

 Happy Friday Friends!! This is Pam, here to share the Pocket Life Sketch for this week based on this 9x12 spread, using February's main Pocket Life kit, "Stories".

My plan for this year is to create an album with lots and lots of lovely layers, meaning I plan to mix and match all different sizes of pocket pages and layouts together and house them in a 12x12 album. I have to confess though, I'm kind of hooked on the 9x12 format at the moment. I'm hoping to have several spreads of various sizes for each  month. This one captures some of the everyday life details with my daughter in the first few days of February.

The colour palette for February's Pocket Life kit is SO lovely!! There are lots of bright (but not too bright) and cheery shades of blue and yellow and orange and pink. The most challenging part of putting together my spreads this month was trying to decide which side of the journaling cards to use because I really loved them both. Such a great new addition to the kits and I'm really happy with the quality of the heavier journaling cards!

I added little bits of machine stitching to a few of my cards this month for some added texture.  I'm pretty tempted to hoard those die cut words, but did manage to get this one into my spread. I added just a little bit of purple watercolour paint to complement the colours in my photos.

If I had to pick my top 3 embellishments in the February kits, I'd have to include the word strips (there are some in the Maggie Holme's ephemera pack as well as the Citrus Twist exclusive cutaparts) because they're ALWAYS a favourite, the cork pieces (love cork!!), and the puffy stickers. And then I'd tell you to ask me again because I couldn't possibly leave the die cut words off the list...or the glittery ephemera.. and I'd pretty much keep going on and on and on.


Hope you have a wonderful weekend and get some crafty time in!
Pam

Just Driving with Brenda

Good Morning everyone!

Brenda here to bring you a layout with my lovely little munchkin.  Last weekend I had a photoshoot an hour away so Daddy drove and we all went.  This little bugga went to sleep on the way there and on the way back.  There is just something about riding in the car that knocks her out every time.
When she wasn't sleeping, she had her face up to the window watching the trees and snow go by in a blur.  She is my little bird, always looking for the next adventure.

My favorite part of this months "Heartfelt" Add-On Kit is that pretty paper with the birds from Maggie Holmes.  It is very much like my little bird.  I couldn't wait to use it.  Of course, the stamps in this kit are perfect.  I will be using it a lot.

Thank you for stopping by today.  Have a lovely one.

Brenda

Tuesday Tutorial with Wendy

Hello everyone!

It's Wendy here today sharing up my Tuesday Tutorial with you.  Sometimes I like to break it up from the typical scrapbook layout and add a little something extra and unpredictable into my album. Let's just call it a 'scrapbook layout tag' that I created to use in my 9x12 album using only the February 2016 Main "Stories" Kit.

Have no fear to be random!

So, I went 'off the page' in creating my tag to add into my album.  Sometimes I like to hang a 'scrapbook layout tag' onto my inspiration board in my art room before inserting into my album.

Let's get started with making the 'scrapbook layout tag'.

I cut the tag base from white cardstock (included in the February 2016 Main "Stories" Kit) to 5 1/2" x 12".  Then, using preferred colors of mists to spritz the tag.  There are some nice colors of mists available over in the shop here.  I like the 'less is more' approach in using mists. 

I mounted my picture under a striped frame (included in the ephemera pack).  Several frame choices in the package this month.  I found this frame appropriate as my husband is 100% Italian and well, we say 'ciao' A LOT. Ha!  

I added a tag "me + you" (from the ephemera pack) to the edge of my frame.  I mounted the photo with some mini staples over the small doily.  There are two doilies included in the February 2016 Main "Stories" Kit this month, a large and small doily. 

I finished off the photo with a phrase stamp under the framed picture.  For the record, I can't say enough about the Citrus Twist Kits stamps but in short, I'm an instant fan and they are superb quality.  I'm one girl super picky about my stamps. 

I added some of those fun and sweet puffy stickers from the February 2016 Main "Stories" Kit at the bottom of my tag along with the stamped stars from the exclusive stamp set in the kit.

You can finish off your tag with those 'oh so clever' cork shapes from the February 2016 Main "Stories" Kit sprinkled randomly along the misting.

There you have it!  

A simple, quick and easy tag you can use in your scrapbook album, as a card, or even as a bookmark, if you choose. 

I hope I inspired you and you enjoyed my Tuesday Tutorial!

Wendy

February Guest Designer

Today on the blog, we would like to introduce you to our February Guest Designer. Say hello to Neela Nalam!

Thank you so much for having me as the guest designer for this month. I am so honored. I am married to a wonderful man and am a mom to two adorable boys aged 11 and 5. I grew up in Bangalore, India and moved to Santa Barbara, U.S.A. about 15 years ago. I am lucky to have lived in two very beautiful places with absolutely fantastic weather. I am an engineer by profession and I enjoy working as one. Scrapbooking is my passion (obsession) and my creative outlet.

Here's a look at Neela's creative space:

Welcome to my permanently temporary craft space. I started sharing this room with my little one about three years ago and slowly but surely, stated moving one baby thing after another out of this room. My big plan for the next few months is to make this room function purely as a scrapbooking space!  I use one section of the closet for my albums, washi tapes, paper, stickers, inks, punches, and so on.

Now for a little Q & A with our guest Neela to get to know her better:

How long have you been scrapbooking and why did you start?

I was introduced to scrapbooking by one of my colleagues when my older son was born 11 years ago in 2004. She made an alphabet book for him. When I saw it, I was so blown away. She took me on a trip to the local scrapbooking store and helped me get started. It has been no stopping since then.

How would you describe your scrapbooking style?

Bright, filled with contrast and color.

What scrapbookers have influenced you the most?

Ali Edwards is the biggest influence on my style of scrapbooking. My style has evolved over the years, but the turning point was when I took a class that was taught by her. I was amazed at how meaningful her layouts were and how every embellishment she used on her layout had a purpose. I also love Stephanie Bryan's style. I love the beautiful photographs that she uses on her layouts.

What is your favorite thing about kit clubs?

The convenience factor is a big thing. It is a huge time saver not have to browse stores for hours to put a bunch of supplies together.  I love that we get all the latest, hot, well coordinated products in a box. The hard work is done for you.

What are your 5 favorite scrapbooking items?

Puffy stickers, arrows in any form, patterned paper, Silhouette Cameo,, and alphas.

How would you describe the Citrus Twist February Kit and what do you love the most about it?

When Trina asked me to be the guest designer for February, I was a little worried as i thought that the kit would be filled with just feminine items. Since I have two boys, I do't usually make layouts with a lot of pink and florals. I have to say, what I love most about the kit is that you can make both boy and girl pages with the kit. I ended up making pages with varied themes and feel. I also liked that it contained some of the latest released products a CHA. 

Here is the first of Neela's beautiful projects made using the February Main Kit:

Thanks you so much Neela for joining us here at Citrus Twist Kits for the month of February! It has been a pleasure getting to know you better and we are looking forward to seeing the rest of your projects as the month progresses!

To learn more about Neela and to see more of her awesome work, you can stop by her blog and also find her on Instagram @neelanalam. 

**Make sure and leave a comment at the end of this post and we will be picking one lucky winner to receive one of Neela's favorite scrapbooking supplies! Good luck!