Using Your Words with Shannon

 

Hey there, Citrus Twist friends! We are just days from Christmas (if you celebrate) so I wanted to share a story from my December Details album. I opted to use a Life Crafted album to house my project. Actually, if I'm being honest, my project has grown into two albums. And that's just fine with me! Whatever it takes to get my stories told. As a matter of fact, that's what I want to talk to you about today. Stories.

We all scrapbook for different reasons. Some like making pretty things. Some like playing with mixed media. Some like writing all the words. Some are a mix. I find myself leaning more toward writing all the words more often than not. I like a good balance of creative play and writing. I enjoy finding fun ways to write my journaling. Otherwise, it can just feel like a chore, and who wants that?

If you read my journaling above you'll see how I turned it into a fun story. I infused some of my sarcastic personality into the writing and made sure to make it something that would be fun for the kids to read. Since I have a 6-year-old who is an avid reader and a lover of my scrapbooks I have to be mindful of what I write and keep the magic of Christmas alive. Plus, I think you'll agree that journaling in this way is much more engaging to the reader! When I have a lot to say, like I did here, I love using the TN Basics from Citrus Twist. The one I used here is from the December TN Basics pack. I bring it into Photoshop to type out my journaling. Since I enjoy the typewriter look I use Remington Noiseless (8 point size) for my font.

Looking for other ways to vary your journaling? Here are a few ideas:

• Write out a list (kind of like I'm doing right now!)
• Format it as a letter. It doesn't need to be to a person. I've seen people address their letters to a favorite store, drink, ornament, etc.
• Write it as a "breaking news" story. How fun would this be for Santa's arrival?!
• Write it out interview-style.

And now, since I enjoy the creative part of scrapbooking as much as I enjoy the writing part, let's take a quick look at the rest of this layout.

I used a mix of the Sparkle & Joy kit, Comfort & Joy Digital Journaling Cards, December TN Basics, and Comfort & Joy Digital Elements to bring everything together. That card in the lower left corner? That's a TN Basics page shrunk down to size. And the card in the upper right is a 4x3 card from Sparkle & Joy kit that I cut down to fit the Instax-size page protectors. In fact, I used the back of that card for the opposite side of the layout. Double-sided cards for the win!

See that ruler card? That's the B side of the "25" card. And the "holiday cheer" card? That's a December TN Basics. The beauty of using digital/hybrid items is that you can repurpose them in so many different ways! Also - if you're looking to add the Instax look to your photos without an Instax camera, you can download a free Photoshop template in the Citrus Twist Kits Fan Page group on Facebook.

Finally, the title page. If you could call it that. I had a few scraps from the paper pack in the Sparkle & Joy kit that I wanted to use but none were long enough to be a full page. I didn't love the look of the seam so I added a line of labels to cover it up. I used the Sparkle & Joy Christmas Stamp to add a sentiment to each label (and then accidentally punched a hole through part of a sentiment - whoops!). I used the candy apple red puffy alpha for a monotone look of my "she's here." Then I decided that the page still needed a little something, which is where the large "this" die cut came in. After that, I had to make myself stop!

I hope that I've given you some new ideas for ways to breathe new life into your journaling. What one are you going to try first? I hope you'll share when you're done!

Holly Jolly with Sabrina

 Hi everyone! I have a fun project to share with you using the December digital elements and traveler's notebook papers to document our elves arriving. 

I started with the "The Magic of Christmas" traveler's notebook paper and then added in the red paper because I know that would be a great to mat the photo of my elves. In our house we have two elves- Melvin and Matilda who have been causing mischief for over 8 years. 

I then added in a bunch of the digital elements that I was able to print and cut using my Silhouette Cameo. I just got my Cameo and I have reached a new level of scrapbooking! I added in the black, cursive words, fa la la, some red star circles and a few other elements. My design was to create 3 main areas of clustering to make a visual triangle. I love how 3 distinct areas in the design make a for a beautiful and fun project. 

                            

I finished off the project by using one the new stamps set-Currently 4x6 - to stamp several different little sentiments. On the journaling card I stamped 'play hard' and 'she said'. I also used the circle stamps 'rad' and 'just this' to add more circles to the project. This stamp set- Currently- is so versatile and has so many options like simple phrases, title building, sentence building and journal prompts. 

This project came together so easy with the digital elements and traveler's notebook. I love this festive page to document our silly elves. Happy December! Hope you enjoyed seeing my project! 

Sparkle and Joy with Guest Designer, Elizabeth Heinz

Hello friends, it's Elizabeth.  I'm DELIGHTED to share some more pages in my "ABC Christmas" Life Crafted Album.  As a reminder, I'm following a SIMPLE design formula to document some of my family's FAVORITE holiday traditions.  

For the left-hand page, I enlarged a photo to 4" x 8.25" to slip inside the page protector.  To finish, I created an embellishment cluster using a die-cut, chipboard circle and and puffy star sticker.  I chose this chipboard circle because the color AND sentiment complimented the sentiment on the journal card on the opposite page.

For the top right-hand page, I used a stamp from my stash, the red puffy alphabet sticker and my computer to create my title.  To finish, I added another die-cut and puffy sticker.  "Ho ho ho" and the mug of hot chocolate were the PERFECT combination for this story.

For the bottom right-hand page, I chose a 3 x 4 journal card to hold my WORDS.  At the top, I stapled another cute, colorful die-cut.

I hope these pages provided some INSPIRATION.  I'll be back later this month to share more ideas.  HAPPY crafting.  XO, Elizabeth

Sparkle and Joy with Elizabeth

Hello friends.  I'm EXCITED to share a few pages in my Candy Apple Life Crafted Album.  I'm using the "Sparkle and Joy" Kit to highlight our family traditions in an ABC format.

For the left-hand page, I printed a 4 x 8.25 inch photo to slip inside the page protector.  In the white space, I stapled a die-cut word and added a chipboard star to dot the "i."  In my opinion, EVERY page needs a star.

In the top right-hand pocket, I created my own 3x4 card with white card stock, a stamp from my stash and the FUN, red puffy alpha set.  Next, I went back to the die-cuts.  I chose the ruler to compliment the journal card underneath and the pink striped heart.  To add texture and complete my cluster, I added a thread nest and staple.

For the final pocket, I covered the COLORFUL, ruler journal card with vellum to hold my journaling.  At the top, I used black StazOn ink and the stamp set to create a small title.  

Underneath, I added the "falala" puffy sticker to add a bit of dimension.

I hope this provided some INSPIRATION.  I'll be back soon to SHARE some more pages.  HAPPY crafting.  XO, Elizabeth

 

Sparkle & Joy with Krystal

 

Hey everyone, Krystal here with a first look at my December album for 2020. This year, I'm taking a simple photo-a-day approach using the idea of finding joy in the everyday as my inspiration. I know this holiday season isn't going to be like other years' and I'm hoping this project will help me focus on the good parts and find joy and gratitude in the simple things.

I'm starting my album with a "Reason Why" page. I want to use this page to set the tone for the album and remind myself why I'm creating this project in the first place. I plan to add some typed text later on as we get closer to the holidays, but for now I wanted to create the base page to make the whole process easier later on. 

I used the Joy Screens cut file to create a cover for my shaker pocket. I cut the screen from red cardstock from my stash and the "Joy" overlay from white cardstock. I love this candy cane effect!

I added some of the red alphas from the Sparkle & Joy kit to finish the sentiment. Then I embellished with a piece of patterned paper that I cut into a little banner to hold one of the phrase stickers from the kit. I finished the whole thing off with a little gold puffy heart, also from the kit. 

For the left hand side of the page, I used the same blue & green plaid paper as a background. I cut a large tag shape from some smooth white cardstock, then used the Bailey alpha stamps to stamp out "Reason Why" in red. I left the tag loose from the page so that I could run it through my typewriter later on.

You can see both pages come together in the process video below.

I hope these pages inspired you to start laying the foundation for your December documenting. Thanks for stopping by!

Sparkle & Joy with Trina - Getting Started

Hi Everyone,

When the pandemic gives you the blues . . . grab your Christmas kit and craft!

I've been having loads of fun in my scrapbooking studio getting started with my 2020 Christmas album. With so many new and restocked colors of Life Crafted albums I finally settled on using the brand new color SEA GLASS for my 2020 Christmas stories. Gold mixes sublimely with the Sea Glass color.

My approach to scrapbooking - and my Christmas album - is to tell stories that happen without tying myself down to daily or weekly projects. I love to mix in old photos and stories of my family, too, because Christmas is so much about tradition in our family. Yes, I'm that kid that never let my parents or siblings sleep in on Christmas morning as I ran around the house in my nightgown shouting "It's Christmas, everyone. Wake up!"

In addition to our first-ever exclusive Sparkle & Joy Christmas kit I've also set aside an assortment of other goodies from our Shop to work with, including the Crate Paper Hey, Santa Pompom Frames and Metal Charms, Gold Chipboard Stars, Gold Weekender Puffy Alphabet Stickers, plus mint and white foam and alphabet stickers and tiny alphabet stickers. I'm also pulling from my vintage stash of old book pages, fabric lace, buttons and more. 

For today's post I'm sharing some of my basic starter pages. I haven't made my title page yet, but this is the first spread that will follow my title.

I used one of the adorable Hey, Santa pompom frames to frame a little journaling blurb. My daughter reminded me softly the other day that Christmas is coming soon. She and I LOVE all things Christmas so I thought this would be a good place to start. I just had to showcase the candy cane "joy" that comes in our Sparkle & Joy kit because I had so much fun creating it for the ephemera pack.

Here are some close-ups of these two pages:

The story behind my thread swirls: My dad loved to sew outdoor gear and after he passed away I found a giant spool of the heavy duty thread he sewed with. I like to include twisty swirls of the thread as a way to lace him into my storytelling. It's one of the ways I keep him close in my heart.

Turning the page in my album, I decided to use a photo of wrapping paper facing a simple base page using our brand new Instax-sized 3-pocket page protector. I also used one of our digital Instax-sized Sparkle & Joy tags plus an adorable ephemera die-cut heart from the Sparkle & Joy kit. The gold puffy stickers are from the Christmas kit, too. For those of you curious about punching holes for our Life Crafted albums, many punches on the market work with the album. I use the Open Industrial 6 Hold Punch (from Amazon). This punch is a sturdy little champ.

Here are some close-ups:

In the midst of our crazy pandemic-altered lifestyles, sitting down to start working on my Christmas album was just what I needed. I'm getting so excited. Are you?

Much love,

Trina

Please Welcome Our Sparkle & Joy Kit Designers

Hello Everybody!

I am super excited to announce these lovely ladies who will be playing with and inspiring you with their beautiful Sparkle & Joy kit creations from tomorrow through mid-December. I thought it would be fun to roll their names out with a little Q&A. Here are the questions they were asked:

1. If you could only eat one type of Christmas cookie this year, what would you choose?
2. What is your favorite Christmas song to listen to you while you craft?
3. What is the one embellishment you ALWAYS include on your Christmas pages?
4. What holiday movie do you watch over and over again?
5. What are three words that best describe Christmas for you? 

Sarah Bargo

1. GINGER SNAP!
2. ALL OF THEM LOL! I MAY OR MAY NOT LISTEN TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC ALL YEAR
3. LONG....
4. WHITE POM POM TRIM AND GLITTERY STARS!
5. SCROOGED!
6. MAGICAL, SA VIOR, HOME 

Krystal Becker

1. I'm all about the traditional iced sugar cookie at Christmas, just make sure mine's gluten free. ;)
2. I don't think I could pick a single song, but the album A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector is definitely on repeat at my house all season.
3. Christmas scrapbooking is pretty much the only time I use glitter on my pages, so I make sure to use a lot of it.
4. The Muppets Christmas Carol - my absolute favorite.
5. Joyous Family Fun

Loredana Bucaria

1. For sure I’d choose chocolate cookies! Me and my boys love them and I finally found the best recipe ever!
2. I love all the Michael buble Christmas album together Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald songs.
3. I always include stamps! I can’t consider a page completed without them!
4. The Holiday that in Italian is L’amore non va in vacanza - I looove it - and The Polar Express! Love them! Every December I watch them!
5. Family, Wonder, Joy

Nathalie DeSousa

1. Polvorones ( walnut shortbread)
2. This one is hard because I always return to classical Hispanic villancicos – Christmas folk songs
3. Vellum and anything shiny!!!
4. Elf, and – my kids are going to kill me because I say this - Arthur’s Christmas (PBS)
5. Faith, Family, Memories

Vania Fonseca

1. I would choose cinnamon cookies, they're definitely one of my favorites.
2. I don't have a favorite Christmas song, but to get myself in the Christmas spirit while I craft, I usually search for a Christmas Playlist on youtube and listen to it during my creative time.
3. I love die-cuts and stamps so I always try to include them on my pages.

4. Home Alone. It ]s a classic and probably the one I watch the most in the holiday 

   season.
5. Christmas for me is all about Family, Food and December Daily. 😉

Elizabeth Heinz

1. Sugar cookie with LOTS of frosting 
2. You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton 
3. Stars, stars and MORE stars
4. The Holiday with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black 
5. Quality family time 

Ashley Horton

1. It's not a cookie, but it would definitely be Oreo Truffles, forme! 
2. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
3. Chipboard
4. Scrooged
5. Merry, Family, Food 

Danielle Menage-Jensen

1. Gingerbread cookies—I'm completely obsessed with them, they just smell and taste like Christmas
2. It's not Christmas unless I'm fussing cutting along to Wham! and Last Christmas. I have to watch the music video too, George Michael's massive 80's hair is a must-see
3. Sequins - Christmas pages ALWAYS need sparkle
4. The Muppet Christmas Carol - I have to see Rizzo the rat in his little top hat
5. Fun, Festive, Frolics 

Nadia Meyer

1. Hard to decide because I really love, love Christmas cookies. My favorites are the cinnamon stars (perhaps it is only known in Switzerland) or the ones my aunt always makes. She is Italian and I love her "Turdilli Calabresi". Delicious.
2. I do not listen to music while crafting, but I love the Christmas albums of Elvis Presley and Michael Bublé. Also Elvis Presley's Gospel songs are amazing.
3. Stars, I can't live without them.
4. I rarely watch movies, but if I had to choose it would be Three Wishes for Cinderella.
5. Family. Magic. Joy.

Lorilei Murphy

1. If I could only eat one type of cookie (what a sad thing) I would choose a sugar cookie with icing!
2. I don’t usually listen to music while crafting, but if I did it would be Michael Buble’s Christmas album on repeat!
3. I almost always include a snowflake, I just love the shape and the layer of white!!
4. We always watched The Sound of Music at Christmas when I was a kid!
5. The three words that best describe Christmas for me would be - lights, rest & family. 

Neela Nalam

1. Christmas M&M cookies 
2. Last Christmas by Wham! 
3. Sequins
4. Home Alone
5. Family, Holidays, Festive 

Patricia Roebuck

1. Grinch cookies with pistachios and cranberries!
2. Step Into Christmas by Elton John
3. Confetti type embellishments like wood veneers, sequins, punched pattern paper.
4. Elf
5. Joyous, Reflective, Magical 

Amy Jo Vanden Brink

1. Sugar cookies! I love sugar cookies with royal icing, and I would trade them (in cute designs of course) for almost any other cookie!
2. I don't usually listen to music while I craft as my job is teaching music, but guaranteed this December the song I will listen to most often is Jingle Bells! If I had to pick a favourite song though, I would pick The Christmas Song by The Raveonettes.
3. I LOVE chipboard, and this year's chipboard circles are awesome because they are all exactly the same size! So perfect on the front and the back of a transparent piece.
4. Too many to count! I usually start the season with The Holiday but will always watch Christmas Vacation as well.
5. Family, Joy, Fun 

Trina Craig

1. Snowball cookiess! We have been making these my entire life.
2. My favorite Christmas song is Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, by Frank Sinatra.
3. Cut files cut from white paper, especially stars!
4. It's our family tradition to watch Home Alone 2 each Christmas Eve, but my favorite Christmas movies is Love Actually.
5. Family. Traditions. Joy.