inspiration

Picnic Blanket Travels Well!

Oh my! This last batch of layouts is a doozie! And they are all travel themed. I found that the colours and patterns really worked well for some of my recent vacation photos. And we've got locations as varied as Chicago, Cancun, Jasper and Drumhellar!

Kit Tip: Try thinking of your journaling as another design element on your layout. I like the look of strips and stripes of pattern paper, so when I apply the same logic to my journaling the effect is quite lovely!

That is all from Picnic Blanket! I hope you were all very inspired to do some kit-scrapping of your own. This kit sold out in record time - by the 4th, I believe - but there are loads of great ideas and tips here to try with whatever supplies you have on hand!

And if you are sad you missed out on May's Kit, here's a little sneak peek of Nadine's June kit that goes on sale on Friday!

 

later loves

More Picnic Blanket

I have a couple new layouts for you again this morning, and a couple of fun "Kit Tips" as well!

Kit Tip: If you don't like the colour of your buttons, flip them over and paint or spray them! I sprayed mine with some Ranger Colour Wash, but you can use anything you have on hand.

 

Kit Tip: A little glitter goes a long way! When I want to "dress up" my paper and die cuts, I tend to pull out the glitter. These die-cut flowers and confetti looked pretty plain, until I smeared some Stickles on...and now they look fabulous!

Remember...die cuts and punches really help stretch those papers in your kit! And they layer well with the embellishments provided to give new combinations and new looks on every page!

Happy Creating!    Love Lisa

Picnic Blanket & Little Girls

Last week I showed how Picnic Blanket can be used for layouts about boys. And this week I want to show you a few layouts I made featuring Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice!!

Scarlett is famous around these parts for asking any available Auntie or Grandma for a "power pout", which is a fancy way of saying "lip gloss." Jill taught her this and I think this is Auntie Jill's "power pout" she is destroying in these photos!

Kit Tip: A simple way to add texture and dimension to a "flat" page such as this is with some simple stitching. I used my sewing machine, but hand-stitching with some embroidery floss would look just as fabulous!

 

I had to dig deep into the photo vaults for the pictures that appear on these next two pages! It's Little Me!!

kit Tip: Making your own pinwheels is easy! Cut out a sqaure of paper. Now fold it in half corner-to-corner twice. No it looks like there is an X in your paper. Cut along those lines, stopping just before you reach the centre. Now fold in every other tip.

I think this kit is also kind of perfect for those vintage snapshots we've all got laying around waiting to be scrapped, when we get a moment! The colours and patterns are reminiscent of times gone by, without being too kitschy!

Happy Creating!    Love Lisa

Month Kit Monday - Picnic Blanket Begins

Lisa here, with the start of my layouts from this month's kit, "Picnic Blanket". I had a lot of fun creating with this kit! It's perfect for any theme, any style, and any colours you might have in mind.

In this kit, you get eight small Riff Raff chipboard butterflies. Eight, people. And trust me when I say that butterflies aren't just for girls...

Kit Tip: Use your collection of punches to create simple shapes to layer. It really stretches your kit, and gives great dimension to your layouts! Butterflies and circles are my "go-to" shapes for this technique.

There are loads of ways to embellish and colour these guys. Emboss, paint, ink, spray, stamp, cover with paper, whatever your heart desires!

Happy Creating...Lisa

May Kit Sneak Peek!

This kit is all about spring and picnics and adventures! And it's mine all mine!!

But it could be yours...May's "Picnic Blanket" goes on sale tomorrow!  And I'll have lots of inspiration in the form of layouts and projects starting next Monday!

 

Until then...Happy Creating!

Love Lisa

April Kit Inspiration...the final post!

Here is the final set of layouts from Kathleen. I think she used up every last little bit and scrap from her kit with these guys! It really helps when you make use of all the tools in your craft room: punches, die cuts and stamps make each page look unique and really stretch your kit contents!

I love the banners that Kathleen made on the layout about! Banners are so trendy right now in scrapbooking, and they are so easy to make in any pattern and colour you desire.

Next week I've got a sneak peek of May's Kit: Picnic Blanket. So stay tuned for that!

Until then...Happy Creating!

Love Lisa

April Kit Inspiration...A Double Page Layout

Here is a fabulous double-page layout from Kathleen...

Click on the picture for a larger look at all the details.

I love how she has put the labels underneath each photo so she can add the names of all the ladies who attended the Tim Holtz Event last year! What a great keepsake!!

Happy Creating!

Love Lisa

April Kit Inspiration...More Layouts!

Here are a couple more layouts from Kathleen that she made using this month's kit.

Kathleen makes great use out of all her pattern papers by cutting them down and collaging them on to black cardstock. For a lighter look try adding other neutrals like ivory, cream, kraft or white.

Try making a mini-maxi album out of your kit by using photos from the same events on all your layouts, like Kathleen has done here. This creates a cohesive look in your larger album and connects all of these layouts for your future reader!

Happy Creating!

Love Lisa

April Kit Inspiration

Here are some layouts from Kathleen to get you inspired to use your April Kit...

This week on the blog...

- a fun technique from me using the new Customizable Thickers from American Crafts

- a great layout from Nadine using the new Echo Park "This & That"

Until then...Happy Creating!

Love Lisa

 

April Kit...Sneak Peek!

Here is a little sneak peek of our April Kit, designed by the multi-talented Kathleen! You might know her best from her mixed media and altered art pieces hanging up in the store, but I hear she has some layouts in store for you this month!

This upcoming kit  is very versatile, and will work well in the studio of any type of papercrafter!

This beauty goes on sale next Sunday. You can pick yours up in store, or call ahead and we can set one aside for you. I have a feeling this one is going to disappear fast!

Happy Creating!

Love Lisa