Saturday, December 31, 2016

2017: Reflecting and Goal Setting

Hey everyone!

One year ago today I was sitting here typing a post about getting myself out there. Starting to share creatively, starting a blog, beginning a You Tube channel, and working for design teams. In 2016, I did those things. Not all well but I can honestly look back and say...wow...I jumped and started to get my feet wet.

Did everything work perfectly? nope.
Did I accomplish everything that I wanted to? nope.
Did I experience some successes? YES!
Did I grow and change? Absolutely!

This past year has been one of immense change. I moved into a new house, grew in my career goals, started a doctoral program, and worked to build the beginning foundation of a creative presence. I grew my Instagram account (although not as much as I would have liked). I grew my You Tube channel in the last nine months and learned a TON along the way there. I worked on several different design teams and collaborated with lots of amazingly talented crafters. Those were definite successes! I made some great friends out there in the world and that has been the most rewarding and amazing part.

So now....onward and upward! 2017....I am SO excited to start a new year. I have some pretty lofty goals and aspirations. I am still plugging away on my life goals and career goals. I have finished the first course of my doctoral program and moved right into the second. I am going to play along with the One Little Word community this year and my word (I think) is going to be SEEK. I want to SEEK knowledge...SEEK adventures...SEEK clarity...SEEK wisdom...SEEK opportunities...SEEK balance. It is going to be SO exciting!!!

In my crafty life....I have some HUGE aspirations. I can't wait to start some new collaborations and explore some new design team opportunities. I want to keep working to figure out this Instagram follower business (seriously weird stuff...but come follow my feed if you don't already :) @redefinedkreative.  I can't wait to continue to grow my You Tube channel because that is where I am loving my social media presence and community the most. I can't wait to meet more people, explore more opportunities, and grow my crafty contributions even more. I am loving every step of this adventure and can't wait to see what 2017 brings. I hope you will stick around, follow me on Instagram, interact and converse with me in Facebook groups, and check out my You Tube channel.

Here's to another year of great adventures!!
Bring it on, 2017!!

Monday, December 5, 2016

Stick it Down--December Sketch Challenge

Welcome back to another month of sketches with Stick It Down! This month's sketch was a little bit more challenging for me but I ended up having a lot of fun creating with it. The sketch for the single page design team this month was focused on a large initial letter with very little embellishing given. You can see the sketch below...


I decided that I wanted to focus on a Christmas themed layout for this particular design and I had a photo from a past trip on the Polar Express that I thought would be perfect. I used a font on my computer to create a fancy letter "S" to stand for Santa and made my title (Santa's Magic) part of the large letter title. I decided to cut that letter out of red velvet paper to mimic Santa's suit and then stitched with some gold thread to add some detail. I cut the arrow out the same way and stitched there as well. I added a few layers of patterned paper and tissue paper with some Tim Holtz Candied Apple distress ink as well as some gold accents and red sequins to finish the look. The mirror embellishments are from Pink Fresh Studios and the sequins are from SpiegelMom Scraps. 



I hope that you enjoyed seeing what I created with this month's sketch and that you will also play along with this sketch. Make sure to share your layout over at Stick It Down!  Happy Crafting!!!

Thursday, December 1, 2016

SpiegelMom Scraps December Blog Hop

Happy December and welcome to the SpiegelMom Scraps blog hop! 

December is such a fun month of winter memories, holiday celebrations, and excitement. In the shop this month, there are SO many amazing new sequin mixes and some great cut files. You should have arrived here after checking out Hannah's amazing project! I decided to stay away from the traditional Christmas colors and theme today and instead tell a different kind of story.

One year for Christmas, my youngest son begged and pleaded for a drum set. It was the only thing he asked Santa for and talked about it for months. That drum set caused the biggest smiles that filled his whole face! He was SO proud of his new musical "skills" and drove everyone crazy with his masterful songs...LOL! That story deserved a special space in his scrapbook! There are a series of photos on the coordinating page to this one that tell the story in detail and show his reaction when opening the gift and helping his dad put it all together. 

The cut files for December in the SpiegelMom Scraps store were a great starting point for this story. I used them as a stitching template to create the different musical notes. Then, I combined it with some star cut-outs and two different new sequin mixes in order to create the background elements on this page. Everything paired perfect with the Crate Paper Cool Kid collection. SUPER FUN! 








I hope that you enjoyed this layout and use it as a starting place to tell a story about a favorite gift, musical talent, or treasured Santa surprise! This holiday season I definitely encourage you to think outside the box with your layouts and stories. That is definitely what I will be doing this year and would love to see you check out more of what I'm creating by following me on Instagram @redefinedkreative and subscribing to my You Tube Channel by clicking here

And off you go to check out the stunning layout by Sara Scraps who also worked with the music cut file today! Happy Crafting!! 

Sunday, November 6, 2016

For the Love of Homemade Kits--November Kit Share

For the Love of Homemade Kits: November Kit Reveal 

Happy Sunday! I am so excited to be participating again this month in the For the Love of Homemade Kits Series with Hannah Lemieux, Crafty Meggy, Sara Scraps and Felicia Young over on You Tube for another round of creating. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, this series uses a recipe of items to create a kit from our stash that is based around an inspiration piece. Then, each of us spends four weeks creating layouts and process videos from the ingredients in our kits. The idea is to start digging in our stash and use a combination of both new and old products to create some amazing layouts. Each week, you will be able to see a process video and layout from each of us on our You Tube channels using our individual kits. YAY! Click here to check out my kit share for week one of the For the Love of Homemade Kits Series: November.  The first process video will be posted on Tuesday, November 8th. 

For this round, we decided to include quite a few different things but we really enjoyed starting with a different inspiration piece starting place again this month. This month, we chose an image of a destination: New York City. 





The paper portion of this recipe includes:
1. a stripe
2. a word/text
3. a geometric
4. a specialty paper
5. a texture
6. a colored cardstock
7. a freebie pattern
8.  6x6 pieces of patterned paper
9. a cityscape

Now, for my choices....



1. Stripe: Dear Lizzy Saturday: Uptown
2. Word/Text: Illustrated Faith You Are Loved: Happy Heart
3. Geometric: WeR Memory Keepers Honey I'm Home: Family Photo
4. Texture: Dear Lizzy Saturday: Street Food
5. Specialty: Printed Vellum from Studio Calico
6. Colored Cardstock: pale grey
7. Freebie: Dear Lizzy Saturday--Skyline
8. Cityscape: Dear Lizzy Saturday: Seventh Avenue
9. 6x6: Dear Lizzy Saturday (partially used) 

I did pretty well sticking to the paper choices and including elements that I was happy with for this month. I used the cityscape patterned paper to guide the feel and color choices. But then...I got to the embellishments and definitely went a little overboard!

The embellishment portion of this recipe includes:
1. 3x4 cards
2. vellum pieces
3. buttons
4. wood veneer
5. washi tape
6. stamps
7. tags
8. stickers
9. mist (2)
10. two alphabets
11. ephemera pack
12. freebie 








Here are my choices....

1. 3x4 cards:  Heidi Swapp September Skies: Dusk
                      7paper Darcy: 007
                       Dear Lizzy Saturday: Pizza Pie 
2. vellum pieces: Project Life vellum overlays
3. buttons: Pink Paislee Paige Evans Take Me Away Buttons
4. washi tape: Simple Stories Carpe Diem Posh
5. stamps: Dear Lizzy Saturday and Pink Paislee Paige Evans Take Me Away Roller 
6. tags: 7 Gypsies Market Tags
7. stickers: Simple Stories Carpe Diem Posh
8. Mist: Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Gold and Navy
9. Alphabets: Pink Hip Kit Club exclusive
                             White Thickers "Maple" 
                              Bella Blvd. Oh My Stars: Fundamentals 
10.Ephemera Pack: Dear Lizzy Saturday
11. Freebie: Simple Stories Carpe Diem Posh: Word Label Stickers 

Here is my complete kit....
 

As you can see, I followed the recipe pretty closely this month but I included a few extra embellishments. I tend to also include a partially used 6x6 paper pad rather than just a few sheets as I enjoy creating lots of layers with different patterns. I am also giving myself the freedom and permission to add some mixed media elements like additional mists and texture paste if needed in order to complete the looks or use the elements that I chose. I find that I need to include enough variety so that I don't get sick of my kit but also limit myself enough that I am productive and focused. It's a balance, right?! 

I hope that you will use this recipe to put together your own kit and I would love to see what you create if you are playing along with us. Make sure to stop by and check out my You Tube video showing my kit and then head on over to see the kits that Hannah, Felicia, Sara, and Megan put together as well. It is going to be a really fun month! Happy Crafting!!

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Stick It Down--November Sketch Challenge

Happy Saturday! Welcome back to another month of sketches at Stick It Down. This month we are playing with a really fun sketch to use when you have LOADS of pictures, especially those pictures that you have taken at a distance. Here is the sketch that we are using this month...


When I started thinking about what to create with this sketch, I remembered a recent trip that we had taken to a new aquarium that was just built in our hometown. I had taken a lot of pictures of sharks, fish, and all kinds of sea life and I thought that this layout would be perfect to showcase those photos.



I decided to expand the center portion of this layout out and increase the size of the title to a really bold font that would show the name of the new aquarium. I then printed all of my photos at home using a template from the Project Life app where I put six 2x2 photos onto one 4x6 photo grid and then printed. Super simple and one of my favorite resizing tools! 



I hope that you enjoyed this layout and that you will stop over on my You Tube channel and check out the process video that goes with it! You can get to that video by clicking here. Please consider subscribing so that you don't miss out on those notifications for new videos! Make sure to stop over at the Stick It Down blog as well and check out what the rest of the team created with this sketch and to share a layout that you create with this sketch as well. Happy Crafting!!

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

SpiegelMom Scraps November Blog Hop



Welcome! You should have hopped on over here after viewing Hannah's amazing page! I loved all of her details, layers, and embellishments. This month at SpiegelMom Scraps we are working with the theme of "Cozy Up and Create" and I can't wait to share what we have in store for you throughout the month!!

I cannot believe it is November 1st already! It seems like the stores are already into Christmas mode and here in Arizona, the weather is just NOT screaming Autumn. This week, we have been in the high 90's every day and I am definitely ready for cooler weather, cozy fires, and the joys of fall to begin.

For this project, I worked with a photo of my daughter and her favorite cuddly blanket. There is nothing cozier to me than cuddling up with a warm, fuzzy blanket and my kids have caught that same love!

I started off pulling out some pieces from the Simple Stories Reset Girl collection because I knew I wanted to use fall colors to tone down this super bright and colorful picture. I also knew that I wanted to use mint green as the main color in the layout with some pink and coral accents. I smeared the Dazzlerz on the background paper to create a shelf for my photo and then just kept adding layers and embellishments.  The finishing touch is almost always sequins for me these days!! 


I really love how well the Reset Girl collection pairs up with my older Crate Paper Wonder alphabet as well as some of the ephemera from the new Maggie Holmes Gather collection. I even threw in an old Maggie Holmes roller phrase stamp. I just love mixing new and old collections to create unique looks!  




From the SpiegelMom Scraps store, I used the following products for this project:
   Sea U in the Mornin' Shimmerz Dazzlerz (here)
   Normandy Doilies 4 inch size (here)
   Mocha Mint Dream Sequin Mix (here)
 
I hope that you enjoyed this cozy layout and now you are off to check out the amazing layers and details from Sara Scraps! Enjoy the rest of the hop and make sure to enter to win this month's prize! Happy Crafting!!!

Thursday, October 27, 2016

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge--Ribbon, Sparkle, Shine

Happy Thursday and welcome back for another C.R.A.F.T. Challenge! I loved seeing all of the Christmas creations last week and this week's theme could be used to continue creating with your Christmas projects or to create something entirely different. This week, we are working with adding ribbon, sparkle, or shine to our projects. As always, quick and easy are the two main factors that I am thinking about as I approach my card designs. This week, I tried out some Jillibean Soup Card Sets where you can purchase the cards with an opening that fits a plastic shaker pocket. Everything coordinates in the sets already and they really do save a lot of time.



In order to create this look, I filled the plastic cloud piece with sequins and beads and then attached it to the interior of the card. I then inked the edges of the opening that would show on the front of the card and added a couple of felt clouds (and a heart) from the SpiegelMom Scraps store which is my favorite place to go to pick up sequins, felt pieces, Shimmerz products, and little embellishments. (Hint, Hint: Make sure to use the code Khristina15 if you are going to do any fun shopping over there!!)

Next, I hand stitched some rows of sequins to look like rain drops falling from my shaker box cloud. I used some letter stickers on the bottom to create a sediment and I was done. Quick...easy...fun...just my favorite way to create cards! I hope that you will hop back over and check out the projects from the rest of the design team this week and that you are will create your own project using ribbon, sparkle, or shine and share it with us over there! Happy Crafting!!!

Thursday, October 20, 2016

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge--Christmas

Happy Thursday and welcome back to another C.R.A.F.T. Challenge of the week! This week, we have been challenged to create with a Christmas theme. Are you making your Christmas cards this year? Have you started creating them yet? I love to make my own Christmas cards but it always seems like such a daunting task. Today, I am sharing a quick and easy design that is sure to make your family and friends think that you put in hours of work!




The key...I am using a cut file. I took a cut file from The Cut Shoppe and decreased it in size so that it would be perfect for the front panel of a card. I then backed it with different Christmas themed patterned papers from Prima's collection called Sweet Peppermint. I then added some gold thread behind a sediment out of the Carta Bella Christmas Delivery ephemera pack. I used my distress ink in Vintage Photo to tie all of the pieces together and add to the vintage charm feel of the patterned papers. Using that cut file, this was actually a quick and easy look to create and I just love how it turned out. Make sure to visit the C.R.A.F.T. blog to check out the cards that the rest of the design team created this week. Also, make sure to share your Christmas creation with us! Happy Crafting!!

Thursday, October 13, 2016

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge--Trifold Card with Tag Insert

Happy Thursday and welcome back to another week of C.R.A.F.T. Challenges! This week, we have been challenged to create a trifold card with a tag insert. There are several different ways and styles to create a trifold card so you have lots of fun choices this week! Below, you will see the project that I have created for this week.


As always, I love cards that quick, easy, and impactful! This week, I worked with some black cardstock for my card base. I then used the Pink Paislee C'est La Vie collection to embellishment my card. I wanted to create a fun pocket card that would hold not only the tag on the inside but also a gift card. I used some washi tape with an "xoxo" pattern to emphasize my folds and then added a Maggie Holmes chipboard "Hello Love" sentiment to the front. The cork and gold glitter heart embellishments are also from the C'est La Vie collection as is the patterned paper pocket on the inside of the card. This card was pretty quick to put together and I can't wait to send it off to a friend!


I hope that you feel inspired to create a trifold card with a tag insert this week. Make sure to click back over to the C.R.A.F.T. Challenge blog to check out the amazing work from the rest of the design team and to link us up a project of your own so we can send you some love! Happy Crafting!!


Thursday, October 6, 2016

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge--Inspiration Picture

Happy Thursday and welcome to another week of C.R.A.F.T. Challenges. This week, we have been challenged with an inspiration picture to guide our project creations. The picture below is the one that we were challenged to use this week:



As is my typical, I want my card creations to be quick, easy, and impactful! I pulled out a 6x6 paper pad and cut six different squares of patterned papers in colors that went well with the inspiration photo above. I then inked all of the edges with my Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distress ink.


I pulled out a die cut leaf from the Maggie Holmes Gather ephemera pack and also inked the edge of it with the same distress ink. Lastly, I grabbed a sentiment sticker from Simple Stories and inked the edges. I placed 3D adhesive behind the leaf and sediment in order to make them dimensional and I was done!

Quick, simple, and impactful. My favorite! I hope that you will visit the C.R.A.F.T. Challenge blog to check out the projects from the rest of the design team and to leave us a link to a project that you create based upon the inspiration photo. Happy Crafting!

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Stick It Down--October Sketch Challenge

Welcome back to another month of sketches at Stick It Down! This month, I am working with another single page sketch from the amazingly talented Laura Rumble. Below, is the sketch which is a perfect one if you want to experiment and play with a little bit of mixed media this month. It would also work great with cut files, sequins, or lots of little details.




I decided that I wanted to work in some hand stitching and mixed media with this layout. Here is what I came up with...





I have been working on finishing up some summer layouts and collections as we finally move into fall here in Arizona. Below, is the layout that I came up with off of this sketch. I used mostly the Sunny Days Collection from Elle's Studio along with a triangle stencil and texture paste, a load of hand-stitched circles, and some tags.



I also just had to incorporate that beautiful blue bold puffy sticker alphabet from Pink Fresh Studios new Indigo Hills collection.

I hope that you enjoy seeing my interpretation of this sketch and feel inspired to create a layout based upon it for your album. Make sure to check out the Stick It Down Blog to see the incredible work from the rest of the talented team as well as to leave us a link to a project you create with this sketch this month. Happy Crafting!!

Sunday, October 2, 2016

For the Love of Homemade Kits: October Kit Reveal

Happy Sunday! I am so excited to be participating again this month in the For the Love of Homemade Kits Series with Hannah Lemieux, Crafty Meggy, Sara Scraps and Felicia Young over on You Tube for another round of creating. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, this series uses a recipe of items to create a kit from our stash that is based around an inspiration piece. Then, each of us spends four weeks creating layouts and process videos from the ingredients in our kits. The idea is to start digging in our stash and use a combination of both new and old products to create some amazing layouts. Each week, you will be able to see a process video and layout from each of us on our You Tube channels using our individual kits. YAY! Click here to check out my kit share for week one of the For the Love of Homemade Kits Series: October.  The first process video will be posted on Tuesday, October 4th,  so you don't even have to wait a whole week this time! 



For this round, we decided to include quite a few different things but we really enjoyed starting with an embellishment based inspiration piece so we kept that idea the same. We chose to work with Maggie Holmes Fringe Hearts from the Bloom collection and created kits that are styled after Maggie Holmes and her numerous collections. 


















The paper portion of this recipe includes:
1. a text
2. a floral
3. a dot or circle
4. a specialty paper
5. a freebie pattern
6. two 6x6 pieces of patterned paper

Now, for my choices....




1. Text: Maggie Holmes Bloom--Spring
2. Floral: Maggie Holmes Gather--So Sweet 
3. Texture: Maggie Holmes Bloom--Lizzy
4. Circle/Dot: Felicity Jane--Maggie Exclusive
5. Freebie: Felicity Jane--Maggie Exclusive 
6. I chose to include the Maggie Holmes Bloom 6x6 paper pad (partially used)  

The embellishment portion of this recipe includes:
1. Fringe Hearts (Inspiration Piece)
2. Tiny Word Stickers
3. Embossing Folder (I didn't have this and substituted with tags and a stamp set)
4. Texture Paste
5. Ephemera Pack
6. Buttons
7. Washi Tape
8. One freebie
9. 3x4 cards
10. 2 alphabets  


Here are my choices....

1. Fringe Hearts--Maggie Holmes Bloom
2. Tiny Word Stickers: Maggie Holmes Gather and Tim Holtz Small Talk
3. Embossing Folder--substituted with Kelly Purkey for Hero Arts: Kelly's New 
               Adventures Stamp Set and Maggie Holmes Open Book Layered Tags 
4. Texture Paste: Ranger
5. Ephemera Pack: Kaiser Craft Boho Dreams Collectibles
6. Buttons--various sources
7.Washi Tape--Maggie Holmes Gather Metallic Tapes
8. Freebie: Paislee Paperie Confetti; Maggie Holmes Bloom Accent & Puffy Stickers
9. 3x4 cards: My Mind's Eye--On Trend--"Cool" Journal Cards 
10. Alphabets: Dear Lizzy Desktop Gold Thickers 
                        C'est La Vie Black Acetate Letters 
 
Here is my complete kit....

        

As you can see, I followed the recipe pretty closely this month but I included a bit more paper and a few additional embellishments. I am also giving myself the freedom and permission to add some mixed media elements like mists and texture paste if needed in order to complete the looks or use the elements that I chose. I find that I need to include enough variety so that I don't get sick of my kit but also limit myself enough that I am productive and focused. It's a balance, right?! 

I hope that you will use this recipe to put together your own kit and I would love to see what you create if you are playing along with us. Make sure to stop by and check out my You Tube video showing my kit and then head on over to see the kits that Hannah, Felicia, Sara, and Megan put together as well. It is going to be a really fun month! Happy Crafting!!

Saturday, October 1, 2016

SpiegelMom Scraps--World Card Making Day Blog Hop



Welcome to October and this month's SpiegelMom Scraps Blog Hop! You should have arrived here from Hannah's incredible collection of cards. It is going to be hard to follow up behind all of the great ideas that she shared.

Today is World Card Making Day so we have all taken the challenge to create a card or two for today's blog hop. I am not super confident in my card-making skills so this was a challenge that put me to the test but I'm happy with how the final product turned out and I hope that you like it as well.

If you haven't yet, make sure you head over to the SpiegelMom Scraps Store where there is a HUGE October sale going on right now. I placed a large order already and I am sure you will find lots of goodies to add to your stash as well.

Without further ado, here is my card creation. I love creating lots of layers on my scrapbook pages so I thought that I would apply the same ideas to my card creation.




I started with a black cardstock base and then added some pink distressed patterned paper from the Dear Lizzy Documentary paper pad. Next, I grabbed a small glassine bag from the SpiegelMom Scraps store and placed two tags inside. One is just a plain white tag (also from the store) and the green constellation one came from an older Dear Lizzy collection. I tied them both off with some Maya Road twine (the store again!)



Next, I added a white Normandy doily wrapped around the edge of the glassine bag. I pulled out a black arrow paperclip from my stash and then I found this pink card with the heart cut-out of the center from the Maggie Holmes Bloom ephemera pack. I backed it with a piece of transparency and then placed a whole lot of sequins from the Mocha Mint Dream mix (from SpiegelMom Scraps) behind it on sticker paper. This gave the look of a shaker card and allowed the sequins to stay in place. I love that!

I added a little tab and some quick and simple hand stitching. The sediment is from an old Studio Calico stamp set and is one of my favorites. I added a Teresa Collins basic black label sticker and a row of Corkfetti hearts as well as a large Corkfetti heart peeking out of the glassine bag. A few scattered sequins also from the Mocha Mint Dream mix finished off this card.

I am really happy with the final product and I am SO glad to be celebrating World Card Making Day with SpiegelMom Scraps and all of you! If you want to see more of my work please come visit me on Instagram @redefinedkreative or on my You Tube channel. You are now off to the next stop in the blog hop which is to check out the amazing work of Sara. Wait until you see her card....wow! Happy Crafting!!

Thursday, September 29, 2016

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge--Fantasy

Happy Thursday and welcome to another week of C.R.A.F.T. Challenges. This week, our topic is Fantasy! As always, I wanted to create a card that was quick, easy, and made a statement.


I had the perfect sticker sheet for the topic from Graphic 45 called the Enchanted Forest Collection Cardstock Stickers. I added some gold thread behind my image and then used dimensional adhesive squares to elevate the center panel image of the fairy. I added a border sticker and a phrase from my favorite Tim Holtz phrase sticker book and the card was complete. Quick...easy...unique...done! I hope that you will join us over on the C.R.A.F.T. blog as the rest of the design team shares their Fantasy themed cards. Make sure to show us your work as well to be entered to win a fun prize! Happy Crafting!!

Thursday, September 22, 2016

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge--Autumn, Halloween, Thanksgiving

Happy Thursday! It's time for another week of C.R.A.F.T. Challenges and this week the theme is Autumn, Halloween, and Thanksgiving...basically, all things Fall! As is my customary style, I like my card creations to be quick, easy, and cute. This week, I grabbed the paper pads from the Dollar Spot at Target and combined them with a few older puffy stickers and a beautiful Thickers alphabet (both cheap from Tuesday Morning) to create this fun look that is so simple to create. I cut 1 1/4 each squares from several different sheets of the 6x6 paper pads and then added black pen lining around the edges. The center of each box got a letter in my title to spell out "Give Thanks." I added a few puffy stickers and that was it!



Cute...easy....quick....just the way I like my card creations to be! I can't wait to see what amazing project you share for the challenge this week. Make sure to link it up over on the C.R.A.F.T. blog so that we can check it out! Happy Crafting!!

Thursday, September 15, 2016

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge--Christmas

Happy Thursday!! Welcome back for another week of C.R.A.F.T. challenges. This week, we have been challenged to create a Christmas project. The new winter product lines are just being released and for many December Daily plans are underway so this is great timing to start thinking winter and Christmas. As is my typical style, I like to create simple cards that have an impact but don't take a lot of time or supplies. Here is my card design for this week....




This was a super quick and easy look to create using only scraps. I used a hexagon punch to create three ornaments and inked the edges with black ink. I then stuck them to my card using dimensional adhesive. I added some forest green hand-stitching for the strings as well as three adorable Maggie Holmes ribbon bows that I picked up super cheap at Tuesday Morning. Last step...add a phrase with glitter foam Thickers and some inking around the edges. Quick, easy, and adorable...my favorite type of card!

I hope that you feel inspired to create a Christmas project this week! Whether you choose to create something quick and easy or something detailed and complex, I hope that you will share your creations with us over on the C.R.A.F.T. blog! Make sure to check out what the rest of the amazing design team has created while you are there! Happy Crafting!!!

Monday, September 12, 2016

Use Your Stuff Challenge--Mood Board

Happy Monday! The Use Your Stuff Challenge Board is back from summer vacation and in full swing with new challenges. This week, we are being challenged to create with the mood board pictured below.


At first, this color combination gave me a little of a struggle but once I got in the groove, it came together pretty easily and ended up being a fun layout. I have created a process video to go with it to show you just how easy it is to create a unique and fun look with a cut file, some texture paste, and some pretty patterned papers! Please make sure to check out my process video over on my You Tube channel....


I hope that you enjoyed this layout and that you will play along with this week's mood board challenge. Don't forget to click over to You Tube to watch the process video that goes along with this layout! Also, make sure to visit the UYS blog to check out the amazing creations from the rest of the design team ladies and to show us your product using this mood board. Happy Crafting!!

Thursday, September 8, 2016

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge--Easel Card

Happy Thursday!!  Today it is time for another C.R.A.F.T. Challenge and this week we were challenged to create an easel card. Now, being primarily a scrapbooker, I had never created an easel card before so I even had to google the directions on how to cut and fold the paper correctly to make it work! Sad but true...

I had recently picked up an adorable new pack of die cut ephemera pieces from my local scrapbook store called Odds and Ends: Flea Market that was created by Doodlebug Designs. Let me just say, it is beyond adorable! The colors are perfect for fall and the aqua is just the most perfect shade. It even came with 78 pieces so I have plenty more to create with....so cute!

Here is the card that I came up with this week. I used foam adhesive squares to pop up several elements including the word "Fall" which holds the card open. I even got to throw one of my favorite felties from the SpiegelMom Scraps store in the cloud at the top...you definitely wanna check out some of those! Make sure to use the code Khristina15 to get a discount on your order if you need some sequin mixes, cork shapes, or felt shapes too!


I really hope that you enjoyed seeing my very first easel card! It was a lot easier to create than I thought and I think it is just adorable. I can't wait to send it off to a good friend. I really hope that you feel inspired to create this week and I challenge you to try something new that you have never created before--maybe even an easel card for this challenge! Make sure to head over to the C.R.A.F.T. blog to see what the rest of the design team has created and to link us up to your project so that we can show you some love and support too. Happy Crafting!!!

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

SpiegelMom Scraps Wacky Wednesday Process Video: One Wild Ride

Welcome back to another Wacky Wednesday with SpiegelMom Scraps! This week, I am taking on Felicia's September challenge over on our 15 Minutes to Scrap with SpiegelMom Scraps Facebook Group. Her challenge for the month is to create a layout that (1) uses a combination of new and old products and (2) uses one new photo and one old photo. This was a really fun challenge and gave me a chance to play with some of my brand new Dear Lizzy Saturday collection. I have a process video that coordinates with this layout and you can find that by clicking here. My channel is really growing and there are lots of new and exciting things coming later this month so make sure to subscribe while you are over there so that you don't miss a thing! 

 

I loved being able to incorporate the acrylic "Wild" piece from one of my Ali Edwards Story Kits as well as several elements from the new Dear Lizzy Saturday collection. I added just a few sequins from the SpiegelMom Scraps store in place of enamel dots in my embellishment clusters. That is one of my favorite uses for sequins because it is subtle but adds a little extra pop! This set is the "A Mermaid's Tale" mix and can be found in the SpiegelMom Scraps online store. If you need some new fun embellishments and mixed media supplies, make sure to use the code Khristina15 to get a discount on your purchase. 




I hope that you enjoyed this layout and I can't wait to see what you create for Felicia's September Challenge. Make sure to link us to your project over in the Facebook group in order to be entered to win a fun prize this month! As always, Happy Crafting!!