SNOWY ADVENTURES + PROCESS VIDEO

Hi everyone! I'm here today with a snow adventure layout and process video for you today!
 

 
Supplies | November 2018 Kit, This Season Phrase Stickers, Wood Veneer Snow Globes, Large Wood Veneer Snow Globes, Christmas Hand Drawn Acrylic Hearts, Merry and Bright 6″ x 6″ Paper Stack, Noteworthy 12″ x 12″ Paper Collection
 
I’m sharing a quick and easy layout featuring snowflakes to recreate a winter wonderland. We don’t get much snow in the south so we really live it up when we go snow skiing each year. From snow ball fights to snow men, and even snow boarding, we love playing in the snow!
 

 
This layout features white misting and layers of snowflakes to give it a powdery fresh feel.
 

 
I just love the snow globes—they come in large and regular sized, which also includes snow flake wood veneer circles!
 

 
The embellishments from the November kit and add-ons bring it all together with the perfect pops of colors and the This Season Phrase Stickers are the perfect addition to tell the story around the page.
 
See how it all came together in my process video, where I’ll walk you through the creative process step by step, and I even share a pretty cool tip for working with mists:
 

 
Thanks so much for watching!

Christmas Treats for Your “Sweets”

Hi everyone.  I'm here today sharing a Christmas surprise idea with you.  I made some Christmas treats for my “sweets”. My sweet girls that is and it was so fun to make these and to watch the delight my girls had wondering and discovering what was inside.

I’ll step you through how I made these but I’ll be back next week with the process video I created so you can see it come together in action!

It might be a little hard to tell but these treat bags are bursting at the seams with Christmas chocolates!  These can be used as party favors, advent or just fun little treats for your friends, family and even co-workers. The great thing is that they are really easy to make if you have a pair of scissors or die cutting machine, glue and a few embellishments.

Let’s take a look at how I assembled the Christmas tree. I used my Silhouette CAMEO but you could easily hand cut these.  Either way, you need two identical cut trees. Easy, right?

Next, add brads from the embellished brads set. Alternatively, you can use die cuts, glitter, enamel dots but these brads are just so awesome.  I love the color variations and the gold rim around them.

Next, Starting at the widest part of the tree, which is the bottom, glue the bottom and the edges together until you have a large pocket.  Once dry, fill it with candies. Repeat until you are at the top and your tree is completely filled.

Here’s an example of a treat bag embellished with die cuts.  Simply adhere the die cut with strong liquid adhesive and set aside to dry.

Set them out as a surprise treat for the special people in your life.  They have no idea what’s inside and it’s so fun to watch them open their surprise.

Beware, they will want to open them all!  You could also add in different candies or other small items you think your friends and family will enjoy!

Check back next week for the process video I filmed while creating these Christmas treats for my sweets!

Supplies:

COZY & BRIGHT DOUBLE-SIDED CARDSTOCK 12″X12″MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMASCOZY & BRIGHT DOUBLE-SIDED CARDSTOCK 12″X12″ SANTA LANDCOZY & BRIGHT DOUBLE-SIDED CARDSTOCK 12″X12″ WINTER GREEN
COZY & BRIGHT DOUBLE-SIDED CARDSTOCK 12″X12″ MERRY & BRIGHTCOZY & BRIGHT DOUBLE-SIDED CARDSTOCK 12″X12″ WARM & COZYCOZY & BRIGHT DOUBLE-SIDED CARDSTOCK 12″X12″ FA LA LA LACOZY & BRIGHT DECORATIVE BRADSCOZY & BRIGHT EPHEMERA CARDSTOCK DIE-CUTS ICONS W/WHITE GLITTER ACCENTSCOZY & BRIGHT EPHEMERA CARDSTOCK DIE-CUTS PHRASE W/WHITE GLITTER ACCENTS

Trick or Treat!

Hi everyone!  I’m so excited about this project! I just adore the Elle’s Studio design team. They are all so very talented and this month I got to choose another team member’s project to scrap lift. My project was inspired by Amanda Baldwin’s Favorite Story layout:
 

 
Here’s why I chose Amanda’s layout: I was drawn in by the large triangle that draws your eye from the top of the page directly down to the photo. Then there’s all the layers. I just couldn’t help myself and I had to add my own spin to the project.
 

 
Supplies | October 2018 Kit, October Labels, Autumn Fun Stickers, Stars and Dots Puffy Stickers, Halloween Wood Veneer, Trick or Treat Wood Veneer, Sweater Weather 6″ x 6″ Paper Stack, Family Fun 12″ x 12″ Paper Collection
 
I started by trimming my white cardstock down 1/2″ on the right and 1/2″ on the top so that I would lay it over the gray patterned paper from the Family Fun 12″ x 12″ Paper Collection and have approximately 1/4″ border around the white cardstock. Next, I drew a triangle in my design software to help determine what size triangles I would need to fill in a larger triangle space. I cut 5 different patterned papers from the Sweater Weather 6″ x 6″ Paper Stack into small triangles and adhered them lightly to the page. Once I liked the placement, I sewed around each triangle. The easiest way I found to do this was in straight lines across multiple triangles. The Trick or Treat Wood Veneer created the perfect BOLD title I needed to pop against the busy patterns.
 

Next, I noticed that Amanda chose to add lots of layers behind her photo, so I started layering various 3″ x 4″ tags from the October Kit, choosing tags that coordinated with the colors of the patterned papers I used in the triangle above. I also added in a few strips of patterned paper from above to help bring it all together.
 

 
Next, I liked the speech bubbles that Amanda used. Hers were stamped using the Quoted Stamp, but the ones in this month’s kit were perfect for this, so I just fussy cut them from the 3″x4″ tag and added some sentiments on them. Last but not least, I added a few more wood pieces from the Halloween Wood Veneer around the page as well as Stars and Dots Puffy Stickers to finish the page off. I’ll add something about the girls on the labels and add journaling to the tag, which you can pull in and out from behind the photo.
 

 
I hope this project inspires you the way Amanda inspired me, and I also hope you can see how a slight variation in how the design is assembled can add a new spin and feel to the overall page!

THANKFUL for…printable cards

Hi everyone.  Heather Leopard is here with a new spin on our annual Thanksgiving “I Am Thankful” cards.  Today’s project also includes a process video, which I will post here this week.

Each year either my mom or I make cards for family members to fill out when we’re all together at Thanksgiving.  This year was my turn and I wanted to create cards that have space for a small photo of the person who completes the card along with short journaling spots.

I drew this up in PowerPoint and then printed it on my color printer. Easy peasy!  The square measures 1.5″ x 1.5″ so there’s just enough room to fit a small 1.25″ x 1.25″ photo. Then the other boxes are just the right size for a small phrase or even just one word, like “family.  You could even write out a long sentence or two utilizing the space in all the boxes together.

I added embellishments, like stickers and die cuts to each of the cards. I didn’t add much, more like just enough, because the true heart of the card is in what everyone writes on them.  I plan to place stickers next to the cards in case anyone wants to add more to theirs.  You could also wait to add embellishments and let your guests add their own.

Some of the embellishments are adhered directly to the card, while others, like this cute butterfly are popped up using 3D foam dots.

Here’s what the completed cards look like. I made 8 in total and they were just so quick and easy. I can totally see my guests adding more die cuts and stickers to these or maybe even some doodling.  I can’t wait to see what everyone writes.  Oh, that gives me an idea…I think I’ll turn these into a mini album. Stay tuned for another post on that!

Also, check back later this week for a process video on how these cards came together.

xoxo, Heather
YouTube | Blog  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest

Supplies:
My Bright Life 6×6 Paper Pad 733892My Bright Life Ephemera Die-cuts with Gold Foil 733884
My Bright Life Accent Stickers 733882

Scrapbooking Tips & Tricks | Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch Layout

Hi everyone.  Today I’m sharing a few scrapbooking tips and tricks, and a process video. Some of these tips were part of my scrapbooking newbie “go-to” arsenal when I first started scrapbooking and others are still my tried and true essentials today.  All of it is manifested in the process video below for this cutest pumpkin in the patch layout I did.

Okay, let’s dive right into the tips and tricks I used for this layout…

Tip #1

Courtesy of Rogers Gardens

CHALLENGES: The photo above relates to a current challenge here at Pebbles…many online groups and scrapbooking companies create challenges every month.  These are great ways to help you focus on what to create.  I find that I just have WAY too many photos to scrap so searching for “scrapbooking challenges” or terms along those lines are sure to uncover something that will inspire you. The bonus is that there’s usually some contest and reward.  Sometimes it’s a gift card, sometimes a kit, sometimes it’s just the glory.  For example, Pebbles is currently hosting a “pumpkin-inspired” project challenge.  I took that challenge on and created the layout above. The current challenge is to create something pumpkin inspired so it can be a project, a card, a layout, whatever! Head over there to see the details.

Tip #2

SKETCHES: Many people turn to sketches for inspiration.  A sketch is like a recipe for scrapbooking.  It doesn’t necessarily tell you how many of this or that or provide measurements but it’s a visual diagram of a layout. Some people choose to follow sketches exactly, while others use it as a jumping off point for their layout, meaning they see something in the sketch that inspires them and may only follow part of the sketch for their design. There’s really no rules for sketches.  There are many sketch sites out there. Just Google scrapbooking sketches and you’re sure to come up with many options.  I also have sketches of my projects, which can be found HERE ON MY BLOG.

Tip#3

SCRAPLIFT someone: Visit scrapbook company blogs, your favorite designer’s blog, Instagram, YouTube, wherever find inspiration and choose a layout that you think suits your photos.  Like sketches, you can scraplift exactly like the original or use it as a jumping off point and take it whichever direction you choose. I see scraplifting as a form of compliment and if you post it online, it’s always courtesy to list the person who inspired you!  If you can tag that person, they are sure to see what you did and leave you all sorts of wonderful feedback. The layout above was part of a collaboration I did with Christine Meyer, where we scraplifted each other.  I did not scraplift exactly like hers.  Instead, I chose two elements of her design – she had a small amount of the buffalo check and a circular floral design.  You can see her original layout in the process video below.

Tip #4

DESIGN: Whenever possible, I like to use a visual triangle design for my scrapbooking layouts. This helps guide the eye around the page to the important things you want to call out and can be easily accomplished by looking at the layout as having 3 anchor points.  These anchor points usually have the same colors and many of the same elements.  In the photo above, I have the photo at the top right (most important element), the pumpkin at the bottom and the floral cluster at the top left.  Notice that the same colors are used but also the same flowers are the one thing that is the same in each of these areas.  The triangle doesn’t have to have equal sides and things can be placed lower or higher or over more but just having a general triangle in the design should help with the flow of the layout.

Tip#5

SUPPLIES: I like to make a kit for each of my projects.  The easiest way to do this is to gather 6 – 7 patterned papers, 1 – 2 cardstock papers, alphas, die cuts, chipboard and stickers.  You can add additional embellishments, such as ribbon, washi, twine, enamel dots, etc. I like to print my photo and then make a kit using supplies that coordinate well with my photo. Or if you really want to use a certain color scheme and your photo doesn’t match, print it in black and white. Creating kits before you start creating really helps you focus and speeds the scrapbooking process tremendously. Knowing what you have to work with also helps remove the design clutter in your head.  Once you have the kit, you have everything at you fingertips. I used the Pebbles Spooky Boo and My Bright Life collections for this kit and layout.

Watch my Process Video to see how I used these scrapbooking tips and tricks for this layout.

xoxo, Heather
YouTube | Blog  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest

Supplies:
Spooky Boo 12″ x 12″ Paper Pad
Spooky Book Cardstock StickersSpooky Boo Thickers
My Bright Life Field of Flowers Patterned PaperMy Bright Life Stitched Flowers Patterned Paper

Eat, Drink & Be Scary Halloween Scrapbooking Layout

Hello everyone.  It’s almost Halloween time here in the U.S. and you know what that means??? It means chaos and fun at Target. Yep, every year we are “that family”. You know the ones you see trying on the most absurd costumes right there in the costume aisle? That’s us. We’re not loud or obnoxious and we don’t walk around the store in them but we do have a little fun. Oh and by the way, we ended up buying the milk carton that night and my daughter’s best friend went back to get a cookie costume so they could Trick or Treat together as cookies and milk.

I wanted to try to create a layout that mixed a lot of the Spooky Boo collection and several years ago I created a woven heart and I loved the look. That’s what inspired me to create this layout. Only instead of a heart I went with an “X” because it reminded me of the symbols you see around this time of year cautioning you not to drink the poison.

The first step, which is not featured here but is in my process video coming soon, was to add clear gesso to the white background and apply lime green paint / mist.

To weave this together, I cut 1/4″ x 12″ strips of paper. I believe I used about 8 different patterned papers so it would have lots of variety but you could use one if you want a more cohesive look. That’s all up to you.

Next, it was time for the photos.  I struggled with this a bit here because no matter what I tried, the photos just kept blending into the background.  I ended up going with a dark paper immediately behind the photo and then a whitish and orange to help it pop. I also used foam to pop the photo of them eating the taco and drinking the milk and milkshake. Then I drew attention to them with the sticker embellishments around the photos.

I also knew that the title would help draw attention to the photos. The alphas I used are a really cool black glitter but the foam is orange so it’s really eye catching.  I chose a title appropriate for the photo – Eat (the taco), drink (the milk and milkshake) and be scary (always).

Lastly, I added journaling to the bottom right with a cute little spider to catch your attention.  I also added other small embellishments in that area as well as at the top left.

So that’s my Eat, Drink & Be Scary Halloween Scrapbooking Layout. Check back soon for the process video for this layout.

xoxo, Heather

Field Day Scrapbooking Pocket Pages Layout

Hi everyone. I'm challenging myself to create more pocket pages. I just love creating these since each piece is like a mini blank canvas. Plus, they’re great for inserting these into albums when you have lots of photos you want to use to tell a story. This particular spread is all about field day at my daughter’s school.
 

 
Supplies | September 2018 Kit, Go Team Journaling Tags, Celebrate Journaling Tags, Little Photo Flag Stickers, Here and Now Stickers, Hazel Alphabet Stickers — White, Jane Alphabet Stickers — Navy, Go Team Wood Veneer, Wood Veneer Phrases, ABC Wood Veneer, White Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Black Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Hello Happy Puffy Words, Puffy Heart Stickers — Spring Mix, Puffy Heart Stickers — Summer Mix, Story Acrylic, Hazel Alphabet Stamp, Family Fun Puffy Stickers, Family Fun — 6 x 6 Paper Stack
 
I chose to use four 4″x6″ photos and four 2″x3″ photos.  To get started with this double pocket page, I placed my photos around the page to see what I was working with and then grounded it by opening the page with a blue 4″x6″ tag from the September 2018 Kit and ending with another blue 4″x6″ tag that I created with a pattern from the Family Fun 6″ x 6″ Paper Stack. Once that was set, I was off to work on page one.
 

 
Our field days are split into some partner activities and commences with team activities.  I chose to create the spread as such. For this page, I chose to focus on photos that told more of the story of my daughter and how much she loved the experience. This is all about the story of field day and the Story Acrylic made for a perfect title along with some White Puffy Alphabet Stickers and Jane Alphabet Stickers in navy.  I added bits from the September 2018 Kit die cuts and the Wood Veneer Phrases to add a bit of extra character to the tag.
 

 
I added the word FUN using the Family Fun Puffy Stickers. The Hazel Alphabet Stamp was calling to be used, so I stamped words that made sense to follow “Fun”—fun day, fun times, fun friends!  The Hazel stamps stamp so nice and clean, but I chose to use distress ink to give it a grungy look, since we were playing outside in the dirt and water most of the day!
 

 
Next, I pulled in the pink and darker pink diagonal card from the September 2018 Kit. It’s pre-printed with “TODAY IS” and then there’s a great spot to write, type or stamp in an open space, but I chose to use the Hazel Alphabet Stickers to say “today is awesome.” Lastly on this page, I chose the colorful, dotted 4″x6″ tag from the September 2018 Kit and using the Hello Happy Puffy Words, I added “you are,” above the label and then added what I think about this photo of her pouring water on herself on this very hot—way too cute!  I used the navy Jane Alphabet Stickers again, which were a perfect fit in the label.
 

 
Moving to the next page, I chose to focus the photos on all the teamwork part of field day. These are the highlights of her class and how hard they worked for their victory.
 

 
The banner tag from the Celebrate Journaling Tags I used here was perfect for this spread!  They resembled sports pennants, so I added her teacher’s name below using Black Puffy Alphabet Stickers, and their team name along with a die cut banner from the September 2018 Kit .  For the tag below, I chose the “game on” tag from the Go Team Journaling Tags and popped up a banner die cut below, leaving room for journaling.
 

 
Next, I hard a nice open space in the field part of the photo of my daughter practicing. I added Hazel Alphabet Stickers to fill in that open space, reading “practice makes perfect.” Then to coordinate with the colorful polka dot tag on the other page, I included another one on this side with a slightly different design.  This could easily serve as another journaling spot, but I chose to embellish with the Go Team Wood Veneer, Little Photo Flag Stickers, Here and Now Phrase Stickers and a few puffy embellishments that coordinated with the colors of the card.
 
Thanks so much for joining me today.  I hope you have an amazing day!