Journal - Sea Life

Hi friends!  Emma here to share my first attempt at creating a mini-album using a journal (or think travelers notebook type book)!  This month's Grace Box kit came with the cutest journal and I thought it would be fun to try making a little journal/mini about a trip we made to Sea Life earlier this year.

I have to say that making this little book was so much fun!  I was actually a little intimidated to begin with but once I stopped getting hung up on "perfection" (and limiting the embellishing...which is hard for me) - I really enjoyed the process of putting this together.  It's far from perfect, but for my first attempt at using a journal book; I'm pretty happy with the end result.  And more importantly - I've got the photo's and stories recorded :)

The journal included in the Grace Box has 24 pages but that was far too many for me to fill so so I simply stitched a few pages together (I think I went with 2 or 3 pages, I wasn't exact every time, I just grabbed a few and ran the pages through my sewing machine to join them together).

I included things like the train timetable/ticket stubs and the map.

I kept my layouts fairly plain and had to continually remind myself not to go overboard with the embellishing.  Embellishments are my favourite part when putting layouts together so it was tricky!  I used a little from all the May kits in this book and I love how it all coordinates together so easily.  Those copper alpha's from the main kit are absolutely gorgeous (the photo's do not do them justice!) and I had to stop myself from using them on every page...but they do pop up on a few ;)

All my journaling was typed up on the computer and printed out on plain copy paper (I cheat and use a typewriter font).

To add a bit of colour through the album I used patterned paper on one side of the page.  Love the blue of this exclusive paper from the Main kit and the matching die-cuts (from the PL kit).

I even managed to work a sequin pocket page into it!  I'm forever using sequins/veneer pockets in my albums; I love the movement they create.  I used a piece of vellum in this journal though and just machine stitched around the outside.   It's hard to see in the photo's but I also cut a jelly fish shape from white cardstock and popped that inside with the green/blue sequins.

Originally I was not going to have anything on the outside of my journal but I have this annoying habit of adding "titles" to the spines/fronts of my mini-albums so I had to follow suit here.  I went with plain black alphas (from an older kit, Jan 2017 Add-on) and just stuck them onto a plastic divider I had sitting around (that I trimmed down to fit my journal).

And here's a quick little flip through the full journal!

I actually created this as the NSD challenges were being posted and I originally I thought I'd create a page per challenge, but as you can see, I failed miserably, haha.  I did get one sketch into it though!  The LHS page is based on the sketch shared by Michelle on Day 1 of the challenges ;)

So all up I got ONE challenge from NSD finished...which = a big fail for me haha.  I had the best intentions...  But on the plus side, I was so happy to see so many of you joined in on alot of challenges and that is AWESOME!  Did you have fun on NSD?  How many challenges did you manage to finish up doing?!  And for those of you that won; have you got your goodies yet?!  SO LUCKY!

Thanks for joining me on the blog today!  I hope you'll be inspired to try these journal books for yourself; they're not as intimidating as I thought they would be and I'm planning my next one already :)

Take care, Em xo

Tuesday Tutorail

Hi Everyone!  It’s Melissa Renkawitz, your Guest DT member for May.  I’m back today sharing a fun tutorial on a Project Life layout, for which I used the May "Brighton" Scrapbook kit.  I’ll be sharing how I made this fun little confetti pocket…

 

First, here is a the overall layout.  This is a page protector with 3”x3” pockets that will be an insert in my overall layout for that week.

 

And a few details of some of the pockets…

 

Above, I added a bit of white acrylic paint and ink splatter to soften the black & white paper, before adding the labels and puffy sticker.  Below, I strategically cut a 3”x3” piece of this paper to highlight some of the phrases I liked and added a cluster of puffy sticker and enamel dots from the kit.

 

Here is the back side of the layout, with many of the same concepts repeated.

 

Now, onto the tutorial for that fun little confetti pocket!!!!

 

I began with a 3” square of patterned paper and a 3” piece of vellum.

 

I stitched (using a copper thread) down each side and along the bottom, to attach the 2 pieces, thus creating a “pocket”  with an opening at the top.  You can see I used a small piece of washi tape along the top to help hold the 2 pieces together while stitching.  Once I was done stitching, I removed the tape.  I actually don’t own a sewing machine, so I do my stitching by hand.  I use a Cutter Bee Bug tool to provide evenly spaced dimples and then pierce the holes.

 

Next, I gathered up some pieces of patterned paper, including that great blue floral that is a Citrus Twist exclusive in the Main kit, and punched a handful of small circles and hearts.

 

And then I just slipped them into the pocket, and stitched up the top edge.

 

I decided to use this little confetti pocket as a “title card” for this layout.  In addition to the great copper puffy letters in the kit, I wanted to add a smaller label to add the word “Easter.”  To do this, I typed and printed the word on my computer and then stamped the frame/label around it using the stamp set from the kit.

 

And here’s the final product.  Adorable, right???  Now go grab some supplies and make your own stitched confetti pocket, I’d love to see them!

Sunday Sketch with Elsie

Hey all! It's Elsie back today with this week's Sketch Sunday, and it's a fun one!

I'm going to be completely honest and say that this layout really challenged me. I love this sketch, but I knew I wouldn't be able to follow it exactly as it's not inline with my style. I'm really not a "paper layerer" as I rarely ever back my photos with any patterned paper, so I came up with the idea to deconstruct the sketch and include all the main elements from it onto my design, to make it work for me! Let me talk you through what I did...

For this layout I primarily worked with the May 'Hello Beautiful' Add-On kit. I've had my eye on the  Shimelle Little by Little ephemera for a while; I was so happy to get it in this kit. I was inspired by the cute critter/animal images from that collection, and I wanted to make a feature of them on a page. 

In the sketch there are three different patterns behind the photos, so I used that number '3' as inspiration and used three different patterned papers and made them the focus of my page. I used the Shimelle cut-apart, that beautiful teal Daisy Dear Lizzy paper and also the Crate Paper Oasis woodgrain from the Main kit. I created some cutesy/whimsical looking trees and a small branch to set my 'scene' and use as my three main focal points.

The sketch has two photos, and I really wanted to challenge myself and use two as that's something I rarely do. The two photos I used are very similar, but didn't look great next to each other. I decided to separate them and use the two trees to anchor them and make them flow nicely with the design of the page. I'm so glad I was able to incorporate them both, if it weren't for the sketch that's something I really wouldn't have thought of doing!

I used that gorgeous embossed floral die-cut from Shimelle on the right side of my right photo, like in the sketch. I also created a cluster in the top corner of my page where I stamped the date and included my title 'Bold & Brave' (from the Expression's stamp set). 

The original sketch had that cluster in the top right, but it made sense on my layout to switch it to the top left.

And now it's your turn! To play along with this week's challenge, create a layout inspired by the sketch, upload it to the Citrus Twist Kits Gallery with the sketch date (2/26) in the title, and you might win a $5 gift certificate to the CTK store - yay! 

I can't wait to see what you create!

- Elsie x

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

3 to Inspire

Hi all and welcome to this week's edition of our 3 to Inspire Challenge!

Each Saturday, a member of our team prepares three prompts to serve as starting points for a project. In order to play along with us AND be eligible for a prize, you must complete a project that includes all three prompts. This is what I have for you this week:

1. Include copper.

2. Use at least three different pattern papers.

3. Create a one word title.

This is what I came up with using May's "Brighton" Scrapbook Kit along with this month's Sprinkles Add-On Kit:

I don't know about you guys, but I love copper! I was a pretty solid "gold" girl, but my heart now belongs to this new metallic. The copper alphas from Pinkfresh Studio are absolutely perfect and I can imagine myself using them on everything. The copper sequins also included in this month's Sprinkles Kit were pretty great too.

Now it's your turn! To play along, simple create a project using this week's prompts, upload it to the CTK Gallery with today's date (3/13) in the title, and you will be eligible to win a small prize from the CTK Store. Can't wait to see what you all create!

Michelle

Pocket Life Sketch Friday with Jen

Welcome to another PL Sketch Friday! Today I have a 9x12 sketch for you.

For this sketch, you would use a large title, large journaling block, and two 3x4 photos. I decided to use my PL Kit and create an 8.5x11 page using the sketch.

I used the large title, then a few of the PL cards down the right side of the layout. I only used one photo, but you could definitely use two if you wanted to.

This was a special photo for me to document, as I celebrated my 10 year anniversary with my employer last year. Such a great accomplishment! I love the acetate letters and quotes in the PL kit this month.

Thanks for visiting Pocket Life Friday, where every week we share PL sketches and a chance to win.

For your chance to win, create a layout based on the sketch in this blog post, post your layout to our Gallery or our Facebook Fan Page by Friday, May 19th 2017. Be sure to include PL 05/12 in the title! 

In my Studio, with Célina

Hello Girls,

 

 

I propose you today to come in France to discover my scraproom.

 

 

I'm Lucky to have a room for myself.

It is a cozy and luminous room.

 

 

I found this office at IKEA : It is composed of a board and trestles.

 

  

 

I also have a small shelf, shallow where I can exhibit frames and small décorations.

 

 

On one of the trestles, I have a nice basket with my work in progress.

 

 

Here is my next Citrus Project : a mini-album with my NSP photos :)

 

 

 

In this small piece of furniture, I put all my material to make pages or mini-albums : papers, stickers, alphabets, tags...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here are my Tools and Inks :

 

 

 

 

And my stamps :

 

 

 

And for my Pocket Life : 

 

 

 

This small storage created by my godmother : Ideal to have on hand all my Pocket Life Equipment : PL cards, alphas, roller stamps, embellishments...

 

 

And of course my typewriter, my indispensable for the journaling :

 

 

 My kits :

 

 

 

 

 

 And my photo printer CANON :

 

 

 

 

 I hope this little turn has pleased you!

See you :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Journaling with Jessy

Hello again! Have you seen the May GraceBox kit this month? If you haven't, you should check it out at the CTK online shop. It is filled with amazing products. I really so happy to see the 12"x12" stickers for this month and immediately knew that I have to use them on my page. Well, I had to include the rest of the products like the clear stamps and die-cuts too. 

This time round, I chose this verse Ephesians 4:32 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Let me share with you on the creative process...

First, I prime my page with some gesso. Simply because the back of this page got stained. After that is dried, I used the Nuvo paint along with the cross stencil to create my background. I love how subtle it looked. Next, I adhered the alpha stickers and formed the word "Be Kind". I continued to fill up the gaps with die-cuts and more stickers. I also left some space for stamping. And completed the page with little black dots that I created with my journaling pen. 

Here are some of the close-up shots: 

Hope you are inspired to journal on your bible/faith project today! Thank you for letting me share :)

Xoxo Jessy