A kit for every season with Aimee Dow

I look forward to the change of seasons so much. This most recent transition more than most. As all you wonderful American ladies prepare yourselves for fall with a 'pumpkin everything' mentality (yeah... you should know the rest of us don't get that at all.) and the onslaught of holidays. I personally will be spring cleaning, letting the Eva play outside after what has felt like a very long winter and preparing for our own spring chick's arrival. This did however pose some what of a dilemma with Septembers kits - Stunning kits for sure, but a very autumn feel.  

So I thought today I would show you my recent layout with September's Kits with a bit of an unusual colour scheme. All I had to add from my stash was a tag and 2 rolls of washi to turn this page in to a decidedly spring page.

Neon Red! That's right just two pops of neon red washi and a tag grommet transformed this layout into a totally different season.

I did also have to glitter the title to match the page. While white to begin with I really liked the gold words in the packet, so I gave my title a coat of PVA glue and went to town with the glitter. I really like that it's a bit patchy. Suits the patches of sprinkles stuck to my child in the pictures.

I really wasn't aiming for perfect in this payout. I distressed a lot of paper edges. Theres an unintentional ink smudge somewhere but to me it just feels truer to the stage of life we are in at the moment.

Finally I bought it all home with a heavy dose of Marcy Penner Stitching and Spray Paint. If you're new to scrapbooking, do yourself a favour and do a search of Marcy Penner on Pinterest. That woman is my care free scraping idol - even though I know I'll never be able to fully let go like that.

Until next time, lots of love and scrappy goodness.

Aimee Xx

Sunday Sketch Challenge with Aimee Dow

Yay Sunday! I'd love to say I'm a little late posting today's sketch because we slept in, but that would be my dream scenario. The truth is I'm typing this one handed as a toddler tries to pry my watch off the other. Uncomfortably balancing my laptop on my 7 month baby bump, while trying to figure out how on earth I confused my dates again - Oh yeah, Baby Brain. So if all is forgiven she we get on with the fun stuff? Here is this weeks sketch:

and I totally feel off the wagon again...

In my defence, this months kits are just SO beautiful. I lost myself in the creative process and Maggie Holmes goodness.I loved the shiny gold thickers in this months kit, but I felt there was ton of word art that negated the need for a title. There are some truly awesome details and layers to this layout though.

So there you have it for another week - now its time for you to jump right in and give it a go for yourself. Oh and don't forget to share your creations with us on instagram or our Facebook page. There may even be a prize in it for you ;)

Aimee xx

3 to Inspire with Aimee Dow

Me oh my, supplies are running low for this late in the month, aren't they? Just a few more days until the new kit release and it is SO PRETTY. Until then though, let me show you how to stretch what you have leftovers. 

Your 3 prompts for this week are:

1. Breath new life in to your old, tried and true stamps by stamping in coloured ink. I'm a shocker for this. I keep a black ink pad on my desk and I rarely hunt for another... even though I may now be in triple digit inks.

2. Use something unexpected - maybe from another hobby? I used fabric. It was in this months kit but can you imagine how cool variegated embroidery thread or mosaic tiles would look? Packing ribbon is always fun too.

3. Give love to a neglected supply. *Cough* Washi tape *Cough*. Remember when Veneer was all the rage? I'm sure you have quite a stash somewhere. Or maybe it's pretty paper clips. Let them shine in the way they were intended to - on a layout.

Now, it's your turn! Use the three prompts to create your own projects and share them with us in the CTK Gallery and/or on our Facebook Fan Page by Saturday, August 5th, for a chance to win. You can also upload to Instagram and tag us @citrustwistkits. We so love seeing all your creations.

Aimee Xx.

Sunday Sketch with Aimee Dow

Welcome to another lazy, paper filled Sunday. Who's ready to get their sketch on? I've got a multiple photo page for you this week that really is a gem.

I kept pretty true to the sketch this week. Except for my pathological need to create triangles when embellishing.

I used only this months main kit to create the layout, plus some mists and some Kelly Purkey stamps.

Although there was not a lot of purple in the paper and embellishments, I choose the purple mist to really highlight the blueberry splotches on miss Eva's bib. I also used green, blue and pink, just for added interest.

I just love a good mess, ah I mean scatter.

Now, my dear friends it's your turn to go forth and create. Don't forget to share your masterpieces with us here in the gallery, on our Facebook page and on Instagram. We love seeing what you all create.

Until next time, 

Aimee Xx

Sunday Sketch with Aimee Dow

Does it seem like where here a lot? It honestly feels like I am doing a sketch every month right now and god help me I have actually come to enjoy it. I know, I know, I swore I was the anti-sketch scrapbooker - yet here we are. When it came to picking my sketch this month I was second to last to pick and for the first time ever I picked the 'most challenging' one. So you're really in for some fun!

I stuck pretty closely to the sketch this month. I did add an extra triangle and strip of paper purely to balance the layout. As per usual I used the this months main and sprinkle kit. Now YOU go forth and create!

Oh and if you finish early I'm also hosting today's iNSD Sketch Challenge over on the Facebook page.

Now it is your time to try our sketch too! So join in on this challenge and share what you create using today's Sunday Sketch by posting your creation in our gallery and/or on our Citrus Twist Facebook group! Remember to put today's date (4/23/17) in the title! You could win a $5 gift certificate to Citrus Twist so please show us what you make with this sketch!

Sunshine and Scrapbooking with Aimee.

Okay so I am a little late with Monday's post. We're in the last throws of Summer over here right now and we're doing the best to eek out every last memory. This months kits where just perfect for capturing our outdoor adventures. Just check out the two pages I made using this month's Brinley Scrapbook Kit and Embellishment Kit.

A Girl and her Duck:

Sunshine, Memories, Adventure, Together:

And there you have it, I hope I've inspired you to rock some outdoor photos this month.

Aimee Xx

Sunday Sketch with Aimee

Happy Sunday Scrapers. Ready to get down and crafty? Well, then let me show you your sketch.

If you been with us a long time you'll know I have a bit of love/hate relationship with Sketch Challenges. Honestly, I will never voluntarily offer to do one, but at the same time some of my greatest pages here at Citrus Twist have come from taking on the challenge. This year I'm trying to turn over a new leaf. I've decided not to get to bogged down in rules and use a sketch the way it was meant to be used - as jumping off point and an inspiration. Not a concrete map. So without further ado. Here is my page that only vaguely looks like the sketch :)

I used this months Main Scrapbook page and Sprinkles kit to create the page. I did use a small strip of washi and a stamped flower I had lying on my desk to finish the page off but that's mostly because I hate having to put little bits away. Here are a few close ups so you can see the details.

Now it's your turn. To play along with this week's sketch challenge, create a layout inspired by the sketch, upload it to the CTK Gallery with today's date (1/29) in the title, and you will be eligible to win a $5 gift certificate to the CTK Store!

Until next time,

Aimee Xx

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3 to Inspire with Aimee

How lucky am I? I got the Christmas Day post AND the New Years Eve post. Better yet - I scored the last 3 to inspire of the year. So lets aim for a fresh start and a real challenge to send the year off in style shall we? Here are your 3 prompts.

1. Mix your patterns.

2. Use a product your not hugely fond of.

3. Use an up an entire packet of embellishments.

I often struggle with the mixing of patterns. It's certainly easier to manage when working on a base of white cardstock but I really wanted to challenge myself. So instead I choose to layer my spots, stripes and woodgrain. I think in this case it really works because they all share the mint green colour.

I'm just going to come out and say it. I hate cork... and burlap, but thats another story. I admit Pink Paislee certainly made it better with the gold glitter, but it's never going to be my go to embellishment. It really does suit this layout though. It added blog and detention but without adding a ton more colour. I'm glad I saved the packet after all.

Finally I used up the last of my Pink Paislee Puffy Stickers from this months Embellishment Kit. I must confess it wasn't a 'full packet' when I started the layout. There was just over half a packet maybe, but if feels so good not to have to find a home for it not that it's time to break this months kit down. So you can relax, the embellishment police are going to come knocking if it isn't a full packet. I will however award bonus points for more than one packet. Wink, Wink! 

Now go forth my beautiful little twisties and create!Use the three prompts to create your own projects and share them with us here in the gallery and/or our Facebook Forum.  I really can't wait to see how they all turn out.

Aimee Xx

Sunday Sketch Challenge with Aimee Dow

Hi there! Merry Christmas! I am SO very honoured that you've come to visit little old me on such an auspicious day. In fact, I kind of feel like I need to deliver in a big way just to make it worth your while. Good thing, I've got a cracker of a sketch and page for you then, huh? Let's get started.

I scored first pick of the sketches this month, so I like to think I got you the best one for your Christmas long weekend. I had a lot of fun putting it together so that's always a good sign. Here's how it turned out:

I used this months Main and Embellishment kits to create this page. I've got to say, I'm really not one for pattern paper background, but this exclusive grid paper from Citrus twist is to die for. A girl can always do with a shake up now and again.

I did try to stick as closely to the sketch as possible, but I did have to get a little creative when it came to title placement. I really struggle with titles so the fact that I managed to come up with such a good looking one with the Crate Letters and thinkers - well it was going on the page even it killed me. Fortunately it never came to that. Just 20 minutes of pushing things round, much like a cat nudges a ball of wool and I managed to figure it out. 

The layout itself is rather thin on embellishments. I really loved using the Moonlight clear stickers from Pink Paislee. I don't know that I ever really decided to make it monochrome it just looked best that way with the black and white photos. You certainly don't have to make yours that way. Remember if you are playing along, create a layout inspired by the sketch and upload it to the CTK gallery with today's date (12/25) in the title and you will be in with a chance to win a $5 gift certificate to spend in the CTK store.

I'll be seeing you again real soon.

Aimee Xx.