Work on It Wendesday - Aurora / Alaska Scrapbook Kit : Northern Lights Layout

WELCOME TO AURORA WEEK! 

Today I continue to highlight the Aurora / Alaskan Cruise workshop I designed by revisiting the Northern Lights layout. 

This workshop creates (8) 12x12 scrapbook pages. I love the rich color combination in this kit. It features the Aurora paper collection from Close To My Heart and creates 8 cruise / outdoor themed scrapbook pages. As I said yesterday, I know so many people who recently went on an Alaskan cruise. This workshop is perfect for capturing your memories of either past or future travels, from cruising to hiking or any other outdoor vacation.

Here are the (8) 12x12 scrapbook pages.

So far I have featured three of the four layouts; Layout 1 : Northern Lights, Layout 2: Ocean Views / Glacier Bay and Layout 4: Wild & Free / College Fjord on my blog.

Today I wanted to revisit the Northern Lights layout to show how pretty the paper is with actual photos of the Northern Lights.

Truely, you could use this layout for Northren lights, star gazing, a trip to the palnatarium, or even sitting on the cruise ship balcony with your favorite beverage while star gazing (and of course watching the ocean roll by). Let you imagination run wild!!

Items contained in the precut kit:

• All Cardstock, Aurora Patterned paper, and Aurora Mix in patterned paper PRE-CUT for (8) scrapbook pages 

  

  Aurora Paper Packet

• (1) 12x12 cardstock weight Sticker Sheet with Metallic Accents
• (1)  Package of Aurora PML Cards
• Emailed Color Photo Instructional Guide of all completed layouts
• Bonus: when ordering a pre-cut kit, you will receive both titles for this layout (stamped title and Cricut cut title)

This is $32.25 worth of product. Plus Color Photo Instructional Guide of all completed layouts which includes instructions for today's Technique using your Cricut to write on the branding (zip) strip. The Cricut Deisgn Space files are also included in the Instructional Guide.

If you are interested in creating this workshop yourself, simply purchase the Aurora paper packet or PML cards from https://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com/ and I will email you the Color Photo Instructional Guide of all the completed layouts and the Cricut Design Space file links.

Or purchase the Cricut Design Space files for $7.50.  When you purchase the DS files, the Color Photo instructional Guide will be emailed to you with the DS file links.

Simply email niallsmama@comcast.net to purchase a precut kit or efiles, or purchase Aurora products from https://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com and receive the workshop for free.

Stop by again Friday for the final layout from the Aurora/ Alaska Scrapbooking kit.

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

TINA Stanczak

shop |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions

Technique Tuesday - Write on the branding (zip) strip w/ Cricut & Hidden Photos

WELCOME TO AURORA WEEK! 

Today I continue to highlight the Aurora / Alaskan Cruise workshop I designed, including a really cool technique using your Cricut to write on the branding (zip) strip of any Close To My Heart paper. 

This workshop creates (8) 12x12 scrapbook pages. I love the rich color combination in this kit. It features the Aurora paper collection from Close To My Heart and creates 8 cruise / outdoor themed scrapbook pages. As I said yesterday, I know so many people who recently went on an Alaskan cruise. This workshop is perfect for capturing your memories of either past or future travels, from cruising to hiking or any other outdoor vacation.

Here are the (8) 12x12 scrapbook pages.

Both Layout 1 : Northern Lights  and Layout 2: Ocean Views / Glacier Bay were previously featured on my blog.

Layout 4: Wild & Free / College Fjord is today's featured layout.

The featured colors of this layout are Linen, Charcoal, Sapphire, Glacier and Peacock. These colors are perfect for photos of - you guessed it!  Mountains and/or glaciers. 

As an extra bonus, the precut workshop features a choice of two titles: "Wild & Free" or "College Fjord". Or, change the text in the design space file to make it your own! (refer to picture below).

The workshop features a really neat technique for using your Cricut to write on the branding (zip) strip. The Color Photo Intructional Guide will walk you thru this technique step by step. Also, I am available via facebook live for a one-on-one tutorial (included in the price of the workshop).  

Another key technique included in this layout is "Hidden Journalling/Hidden Photos" using PML cards. All you need is a little foam tape. The 5x7 photo mat was created using one of the patterened papers, then adhered with foam tape on the top, bottom, and right side. 

Hidden Journalling Technique: I added tabs to 2 of the 4x6 PML cards so they can be used for journalling. I layered a smaller PML cards on top of of one of the larger PML cards to allow for journalling on top of the dark pattern.

Hidden Photos Technique: On the back side of the PML journalling cards I added photo mats so you can include additional photos of your favorite views. Notice that I cut 1/8 inch off each side of the photo mat to make the photo fit the 4x6 PML cards & leave a tiny bit of the pattern paper showing.

Wa-la!  A great way to add extra photos to a layout without using Flip Flaps, thus allowing for the extra photos to be a different size than the main photo (i.e. the 5x7 photo).

When making this layout, I used a white gel pen to add defintion to the banners (cut by the Cricut) and black pen to outline the photo mats. Just that tiny bit of contrasting color can really make the photos pop.

I love the contrast of the blues and grays with a hint of green. It really does remind me of the glaciers and College Fjord. That said, it also reminds me of hiking/snowshoeing in the cold crisp air on a winter day. I know, you are thinking to yourself "Hey lady, it's June!".  One can't help but to envision a nice crisp day by the ocean or in the mountains with these wonderful colors.

Items contained in the precut kit:

Aurora PML Cards

• All Cardstock, Aurora Patterned paper, and Aurora Mix in patterned paper PRE-CUT for (8) scrapbook pages
• (1) 12x12 cardstock weight Sticker Sheet with Metallic Accents
• (1)  Package of Aurora PML Cards
• Emailed Color Photo Instructional Guide of all completed layouts
• Bonus: when ordering a pre-cut kit, you will receive both titles for this layout (stamped title and Cricut cut title)

This is $32.25 worth of product. Plus Color Photo Instructional Guide of all completed layouts which includes instructions for today's Technique using your Cricut to write on the branding (zip) strip. The Cricut Deisgn Space files are also included in the Instructional Guide.

If you are interested in creating this workshop yourself, simply purchase the Aurora paper packet or PML cards from https://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com/ and I will email you the Color Photo Instructional Guide of all the completed layouts and the Cricut Design Space file links.

Or purchase the Cricut Design Space files for $7.50.  When you purchase the DS files, the Color Photo instructional Guide will be emailed to you with the DS file links.

Simply email niallsmama@comcast.net to purchase a precut kit or efiles, or purchase Aurora products from https://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com and receive the workshop for free.

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

TINA Stanczak

shop |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions

Motivation Monday - Aurora / Alaska 8 Page Scrapbook Kit with Cricut cut files

WELCOME TO AurorA WEEK! 

Today, I am highlighting the Aurora / Alaskan Cruise workshop I designed. I am hoping these layouts will motivate you to scrapbook your vacation memories. 

This workshop creates (8) 12x12 scrapbook pages. I love the rich color combination in this kit. It features the Aurora paper collection from Close To My Heart, and creates 8 cruise / outdoor themed scrapbook pages. It feels like everyone I know took an Alaskan cruise past summer, including myself and my husband. And, if you haven't taken an Alaskan cruise, DO IT!!  With all the stir craziness due to our (12 week) self isolation, we are both counting our blessing for past travels and looking forward to a time when we can feel safe traveling again. This workshop is perfect for capturing your memories of either past or future travels.

Here are the (8) 12x12 scrapbook pages.

Layout 1 : Northern Lights was previously featured on my blog.

Layout 2: Ocean Views / Glacier Bay is today's featured layout.

The featured colors of this layout are Sapphire, Glacier and Peacock. These colors are perfect for photos of the ocean rolling by. Additionally, the Cricut Design Space file features a choice of two titles: Ocean View or Glacier Bay. Or, change the text on the title to make it your own!

Title: Ocean View           Bonus Title: Glacier Bay

When making this layout, I splattered the base pages with both the clear shimmer brush and the charcoal shimmer brush (hence the "white" spots on the base. The mountain tops on the title have also been covered with clear shimmer to add sparkle on the snow.

I also added clear shimmer to the lens of the binoculars, then popped them off the page using foam tape.

The colors are so pretty.  Don't they make you want to sit and watch the ocean go by??

Items contained in the precut kit:

Aurora PML Cards

• All Cardstock, Aurora Patterned paper, and Aurora Mix in patterned paper PRE-CUT for (8) scrapbook pages
• (1) 12x12 cardstock weight Sticker Sheet with Metallic Accents
• (1)  Package of Aurora PML Cards
• Emailed Color Photo Instructional Guide of all completed layouts
• Bonus: when ordering a pre-cut kit, you will receive both titles for this layout

This is $32.35 worth of product.  Plus the inctructions Color Photo Instructional Guide and the Cricut Design Space file links.  Workshop is specially priced at $30 plus shipping. 

If you are interested in creating this layout yourself, simply purchase the Aurora paper packet or PML cards from https://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com/ and I will email you the Color Photo Instructional Guide of all completed layouts and the Cricut Design Space file links.

Or purchase the Cricut DeDesign Space files for $7.50. When you purchase the DS files, Color Photo Instructional Guide of all completed layouts will be emailed to you.

Simply email to purchase kit or purchase product from http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com and recieve workshop for free.

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

TINA Stanczak

shop |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions

Creative Challenge - Custom Titles using your Cricut

WELCOME TO CRICUT WEEK 2! 

Today I outlining how to create a custom title for your scrapbook layouts within Cricut Design Space. Every once in awhile I want a title that I can not find in the Close To My Heart image sets, so I make my own.

For example, what if I wanted to add the title "Hiking" to the layout I created on Tuesday?

1. First I hide the "Wander" title.
2. Next, I add the text "Hiking" 
   
3. Now, I try different different fonts on for size.  I settled on a font called "Pooh - wood".
   
4. I wanted to use a tree as the letter "I" so I deleted the I and added 2 spaces.
   
5. I resized the tree until it "fit" the title.
6. Then I added two smaller trees to either side of the title.
   
7. Once I have the title cut, I could even layer it onto dark brown or black cardstock, then fussy cut around it.

Here is the layout with the new "Hiking" title.

Don't be afraid to make your own title, if you can't find a suitable title in your images.  You will be surprised how many fonts you can find and how many creative images you can add to your title.  Give it a try.

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

And remember all Cricut and general crafting questions are welcome!!

TINA Stanczak

shop CTMH |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

shop Cricut |    Tina's Cricut affiliate link

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions)

Think about it Thursday - Adding Custom Patterned Paper to your Cricut layout

WELCOME TO CRICUT WEEK 2! 

As promised on Tuesday, today I showing how to add custom patterned paper to your Cricut layout. When I am creating a layout using Design Space, I like to visualize it with the paper packet I will be using to complete the cuts. As shown on Tuesday, I added a second base layer which was a plaid patterned paper. I have added this layer as a print because I am a very visual person and having the print on the page will help me pick the correct colors for my Cricut cuts. 

The instructions for doing this are as follows:

1. Secure a picture of the patterned paper ( I generally download a picture from my Close To My Heart sale site).
2. Upload a pattern fill. In past blog tutorials, we have uploaded images. To upload patterned paper, click on the Pattern Fill button.
   
3. Selected the picture of the patterned paper and upload.
   
4. Design Space asks you to name and tag the pattern. I named this pattern CTMH Timber red plaid since it is from the soon to be released Close To My Heart Timber paper packet. I tagged this pattern as Animals & Wildlife, Nature, Fall with a type of Plaids and Argyles.
   
5. Now that the patterned paper has been uploaded, I can add it to my design. To use, I simply add a shape (in this case a square), then I choose a "fill" of "print", then select "pattern" from the pull down and select the pattern I want to fill with from the drop down (in this case the CTMH Timer Red Plaid pattern). 
   
6. Once I have added the square for the second base layer, I selected the black base layer and align the center both horizontally and vertical.
   

That's all there is to it. I know nothing beats having all of your paper in front of you and just creating using the colors that match. That said, sometimes I get so excited about creating a layout that I design all of my layouts while I am waiting for the paper I ordered to arrive. I did a happy dance when I discovered I could upload patterned paper into Cricut and use it to design my layouts using specific paper packets.

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

And remember all Cricut and general crafting questions are welcome!!

TINA Stanczak

shop CTMH |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

shop Cricut |    Tina's Cricut affiliate link

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions)

Technique Tuesday - Creating a Scrapbook layout in Cricut Design Space

WELCOME TO CRICUT WEEK 2! 

Today I outlining how to create a scrapbook layout within Cricut Design Space. Once you get the hang of it, you will love it.

The reality is I follow the same process using Cricut Design space or designing a layout using a kit. I started a new project. The first thing I do is prepare my canvas so that I can see 12 in by 24 inches, i.e. both base layer pages.  

In other words, I zoom out.  I have to admit, it took me over a year to find the zoom keys!! Even when I googled to find where they were located, I could not find them. The zoom keys are in the lower left hand corner of the canvas.  I kept looking in the panel on the left hand side under the upload key and could not find.  In the picture below, you can see how faint the zoom keys are.  My sight is not the best, hence the reason it took me so long to find these keys.

Now that we have the proper size work surface, we can start our layout.

1. Step 1 - base layer.

1. Insert a square.
2. Change color to black 
3. Size to 12 by 12. 
   
4. Copy and paste for 2nd page of layout.

    so basically the same as going into you stash and picking your cardstock base.

2. Step 2 - second base layer
1. For this layout I am using a second base layer which will be patterned paper. I have added this layer as a print because I am a very visual person and having the print on the page will help me pick the correct colors for my Cricut cuts. The instructions for how to do this are quite long so I am saving this for another day. If you add a second base layer, be sure to align the center both horizontally and vertically.
   
3. Step 3 - Choose embellishments
1. Next I choose my embellishments.  In this case, I know that I want use Cricut cuts from a new Cricut collection I purchased call Aurora. If you like this collection it can be purchased at: Tina's Cricut affiliate link
   
2. I find the image set within Cricut and view all images. 
   
3. The I select and insert images I think I might use on my layout.
   
   They appear as a "blob", all on top of one another. 
   
4. Now I start "placing" my embellishments,meaning I move the images to the approximate location I want them on the layout. 
   
1. NOTE: I wanted a set of hiking boots so I copied & pasted the first boot and then grouped the images together from the get go to ensure the boots stayed the same size as I moved them around.
   
5. Next I add my photo mats/photos. I usually know how many photos I have for the layout and approximate size.  This is pretty much the same process I would use when creating a non-Cricut layout.
1. The steps are pretty much the same as adding the base layers.  Insert a square.  Change size to 4 1/4 by 6 1/4 (for 4x6 photo) or 4 1/4 by 4 1/4 (for 4x4 photo). 
   
   Change color to match whatever color you plan to use for your photo mat.  
2. Add "Place Photo Here" place holder for photo.
   
3. HINT: Group mat and photo place holder so as you move the mat around, you are moving the mat and photo together.
6. Lastly I size my embellishments (i.e. Cricut cuts) to fit the remaining space on the layout. 
1. One of the things that I love about Cricut cuts is the fact that you can resize any image to fit your layout. You simply can't do this with stickers. As you can see in the picture above, most of the Cricut cuts will be covered by my photos unless I resize the images to fit the photo placement.  Below is the layout (minus the title).  
   

Of course, I will continue to play with the colors and placement as I cut the layout and put it together.  There is always refinement as the layout is compiled.  

Check back later in the week for a tutorial on adding patterned paper images for use in creating custom layouts and a separate tutorial on creating custom titles.

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

And remember all Cricut and general crafting questions are welcome!!

TINA Stanczak

shop |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions)