Travelers Notebook Challenge with Diane

Hi Guys! Diane here with another Travelers Notebook Challenge for you!

I've seen a lot of geometric design floating around the scrapbook world lately and I've always wondered how they would translate into the smaller scale of Traveler's Notebooks. So, I challenged myself to give it a try and I'm challenging you to try it as well!

I've created quite a few projects with the "Around Here" Life Crafted kit this month so I only had a few bits and pieces and papers left over. Scrap are perfect for this challenge because they can easily be cut into little shapes. I created a small sketch for myself first to work out just how big the squares for my heart and my photo needed to be. The size I went with was 1.75 inches square.

I added dimension and texture to the paper pieces by stitching around the outside with my sewing machine before using a blending tool to add a shade of green around the outside edges to help them stand out on the background.

Speaking of backgrounds, before I stuck everything down, I added a coat of clear gesso and a few watered down splotches of sprays in the same green/teal tone as my papers.

Once I had my heart and photo adhered onto the background (I used Multi-Medium Matt because of the mixed media background), I built three clusters of embellishments using foam words, die cuts, stamping and enamel dots.

I really do love how easily the journaling flows once I put some numbers in front of it! Here's how this page came together in my TN...

I can't wait to see what you do with this challenge so don't forget to post your layouts in the Facebook Fan Page so we can see!

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!

Traveler's Notebook Challenge with Patricia

Hi, Everyone!  Patricia with you to share a Traveler's Notebook Challenge using the April Life Crafted Make It a Venti and the April Scrapbooking Add-On Kit.

My challenge is to add some hand stitching to your Traveler's Notebook using the thread that comes in the April Scrapbooking Add-On Kit.  Using the pattern paper from the Add-On Kit as inspiration for my stitching, I pierced and followed the design, changing directions and the kind of stitching, but staying within the pattern paper design.  Then adhered this page into my TN album.

To finish this page, I fussy cut the butterflies from the Add-On Kit pattern paper to adhere along the edges, added my photo, and embellishments from the April Life Crafted Kit.  For my right side, I placed my photo and stamped the April This is the Life "Daily Grind" stamp set under it.  So many possibilities with this stamp set.  I used three different inks and added stars from the April Life Crafted Kit.

I used a die cut, more stamping, and the Exclusive Tiny Alphabet Stickers with Gold Foil from the Life Crafted Kit to type my journaling and add more stamping.  I replaced the word 'coffee' with that adorable coffee cup stamp.  It has three parts to it:  the cup, the liquid, and the smiley face.

Filled in the space between my photo and journaling with another Life Crafted embellishment to balance the blue on the left side.  I stayed within the pattern paper for the handstitching, and even did a couple of French Knots, but I think this would also work directly on your pages if you double-up that page with a blank one under it, so you have a new page to work with without seeing the stitching.  Add as much or as little handstitching to your next TN spread and share in the CTK Fan Page on Facebook and/or on Instagram using the tags #citrustwistkits @citrustwistkits so we can all see and leave a comment!

Traveler's Notebook Challenge with Suzanna

Hey crafty pals, I'm so excited to be back on the blog today sharing a layout with the March kit. Today's post is a traveler's notebook challenge and I'm really looking forward to seeing how you make it your own!

I created this layout in my reading log TN insert that I'm keeping for the year. Using the Spencer outline alpha stamps, I created a huge title for the layout. I'll be honest, I was a little nervous about such a large title that took over the top and the bottom of the layout, on such a small page. However, I love the way it turned out! I used a light green ink to make the title a bit subdued.

From there, I created a pocket behind the left side of the page to keep my journaling. Using the library borrower's card die cut I recorded when I began reading and when I finished the book.

On the right side of the page I layered a bunch of papers with imperfect edges to create an intentionally messy look, before adding my photo right on top. Then of course, I went in with my favorite embellishment clusters. Adding a few bits and pieces here and there around the layout.

That sums up this layout, now let's get on to the two challenge pieces I have for you today! First, I challenge you to use a large title on your TN layout. Second, I challenge you to add a bit of hidden journaling to your layout! If you're feeling really crafty and ready to take on a third challenge, I challenge you to use something imperfect in your layout. I know we all tend to lean on the side of perfection with the things we create, but today I'd love to encourage you to jump outside of that and add a little imperfection!

I hope this challenge inspires you to create something fun and cannot wait to see your take on it!

Travelers Notebook Challenge with Diane

Hi Guys! Diane here with another Traveler's Notebook Challenge for you!

Sometimes I really struggle with journaling, I know the story I want to tell but often I don't know where to start writing or how best to tell it. One technique I do love, is to use numbered journaling and today I'm challenging you to try it as well!

February isn't only the "love" month because of Valentines Day, it is also our anniversary month so a love themed spread in my TN seemed appropriate! I had these amazing cork numbers from the March Life Crafted kit and a bit of 6x8 grid paper but that was about all (man, did I use up every little scrap of that kit this time!), so I grabbed the March Scrapbook Add On kit too.

I placed my numbers on my grid paper and draw a really light line in pencil to give me a guideline for where NOT to type on my typewriter! Then I erased the line and glued my numbers down. It's not perfect but I love how the journaling isn't straight and sort of merges around the numbers.

The rest of the page is pretty simple, but very bright thanks to that amazing Color Fresh paper. I LOVED that die cut from the Everyday Musings pack. The font couldn't have been more perfect with those numbers.

I really do love how easily the journaling flows once I put some numbers in front of it! Here's how this page came together in my TN...

I can't wait to see what you do with this challenge so don't forget to post your layouts in the Facebook Fan Page so we can see!

Traveler's Notebook Challenge with Diane

Hi Guys! Diane here with another Traveler's Notebook Challenge for you!

I've got a real mental block about using acetate pieces. I just never know how to use them without worrying about the glue showing or having to use staples or it just not looking as perfect as I'd like. But the pack of acetate pieces in the February Life Crafted kit was SO good, I challenged myself to get over it! And now I'm challenging you too!

Not only did I create one page where I stitched all the acetate numbers down one side of my page to create journalling prompts ...

I also created another page where I let all my fears about perfection go. I just used regular old tape runner to glue that acetate down. 

And yes, you can see the tape through the acetate. But does it effect the story I'm telling? No way! So I'm letting that go and focussing on the purpose of the page, which was to tell the story of these two cuties meeting!

Here's how this page came together in my TN...

I can't wait to see what you do with this challenge so don't forget to post your layouts in the Facebook Fan Page so we can see!

Stepping Back - Travelers Notebook Challenge

Hello, there!  Let's talk travelers notebooks!  Let's talk about pushing ourselves a little bit.  How about we step back, back into our crafting.

We often buy products, tools in particular and don't get around to using them.  Well, how about we change that this week? I'm talking about paper punches!  This week, I'm using my hexagon punch in my travelers notebook.

I took a couple of the patterned papers from the February Love Stories kit, and used my hexagon punch to accent my photo and the 3x4 card.

I love spreading the punches around the page, which mimics movement. I also love how these colors are all working so well together!

A super cute page I'm so excited to have in my Favorites travelers notebook insert, thanks to my hexagon punch!  However, I couldn't stop there!

I also had a bunch of border punches that I haven't used in SO many years, but I decided today was going to be the day I dusted at least one of those off.

I thought it was a fun way to use this border punch!  It's not the common way, but it created a little bit of texture layering these patterned paper pieces with my photo.  I'm thinking I'm going to try this again with a couple of my other border punches, too!

Are you going to give this challenge a try?  Please do, we'd love to see!  Make sure you tag us on Facebook, Instagram or leave a comment here on the blog!