Easy Button Scrapbooking with Cut Above Layout Kits

Are you an "easy button" scrapbooker?  I mean, if you have to go dig something out, or match a paper or ribbon or sticker JUST right are you down for the count before you even get started with your layout?  It is SO easy to get bogged down in the amazing variety of supplies we manage to drag home from a great sale, isn't it?  Don't get me wrong, there isn't anything wrong with taking a few days weeks ok, fine, months on a single, satisfying layout that you painstakingly design with love.  BUT, sometimes a girl just needs her easy button, am I right?

That's where this amazing Close to My Heart Cut Above Layout Kit comes in!!!  I used the Little One kit this time to create an adorable--and quick--layout with some of my favorite pics.  Here is how the original design (which is fabulous, but I didn't need all the elements) looks...

and here's my version!

I was able to easily tweak the title to suit my pics...

Now all I need to add are a few Grey Enamel Gems, and my layout will be complete!  Have you seen my giveaway going on HERE???  You are going to want to click and see! 

You are also going to want to pick up these two amazing layout kits that are now HALF OFF over on my CTMH website until they run out!  Check those out HERE!

15 Minute Memories! (Plus A Giveaway!!!)

Are you kidding me!?!  What in the world took me so long to try these layouts?

OK, yes, time.  Time is what kept me from using the new Close to My Heart Cut Above Layout Kits.  What I guess I didn't realize is that TIME is exactly what you GET from these ingenious little scrapbooker's dreams come true!!!

Here is what the Cut Above Layout Kit--Forever and Always looks like made as directed....

...plus the pocket pages that you can make too!  Everything is included in the kit including the protectors!!!

It really has some gorgeous elements that I adore, but I already scrapped our wedding photos.  What's a scrapper to do???  Well, the layout happened to go lovely with...

...my daughter's senior pics! 

I am definitely a rule-follower, EXCEPT when it comes to kits, lol!!!  I kind of forge my own way and get the most out of everything that I can.  So, instead of using the white doily punch outs on the page, I used them as stencils!!  I sponged Whisper Ink over it for a most beautiful effect.

Sooooo I was finished with the layout...until I added some not-included bits of bling...

These bits and baubles are from the  Gold Glitter Gems, Pink Enamel Gems, and Grey Enamel Gems.

On a total side note--how do YOU spell "grey/gray" when you type it???  This almost haunts me each time I need to spell it out because which is right???  Please help me out and leave a comment with your thoughts on this!  I LOVE grey/gray, and want to know what you think.  I am going to pick one commenter at the end of April and send them a package of Grey Enamel Dots!  :)

Are you ready for the BONUS news???  These ridiculously time-saving kits are HALF-OFF for the rest of the month of April or until they are sold out!!!!  There are two kits on sale to choose from, and they are each just $7.48 and create 6 COMPLETE pages for your scrapbooks.  The only things you need are some adhesive and your photos!  Scoop yours up today from my website using the links in my post, and I will send you the bling you need to add to yours like I did here!!! 

Half-off, are you KIDDING me!?!?!?

CYBER Makeover MONDAY!!!!

Sooooooo, if you have your eyes on a Close to My Heart Cricut Collection today is your day!  When you spend $30 on my website, you can take 30% off any Cricut Collection of your choice! 

That's like buying a Cricut Collection and adding another $30 of product for nothing!!!  What a great time to add to your image options!  As an added bonus, make a purchase on my website today and I will send you a special thank you for supporting my small business!  :)

Flower Market

Artistry

Artbooking

City Sidewalks

Now on to the makeover part of Cyber Monday in which I used two of our Cricut collections!

You might know I am a HUGE fan of the CTMH Cut Above Kits.  I also LOVE to add my own little touches to the beautiful designs when I have the time.  I did this using just the red card base included in the 'Tis the Season Card Kit recently for my workshop.  Check this out...

My stunningly talented friend, Katy, used this great little wreath on the City Sidewalks digital Cricut Collection as the 'O' in JOY which I stumbled upon HERE on her Instagram. I loved it so much, I used it in another way...

And then I added a twist of my own!  I used the White Glitter Paper and Snowflake Thin Cuts like this...

Which one do you like better?

Still available!!!

Only in November!

Makeover Monday!

Hello!!! 

Makeover Monday is back in a BIG way!  I am pretty excited over this one, you see, because I haven't had a workshop in what seems like AGES.  Well, this weekend I buckled down and scheduled a Christmas Workshop!!! 

One of the gift tags we will be making uses the perfectly beautiful plaid paper from the Close to My Heart Cut Above 'Tis the Season Card Kit.  I ADORE this little piece of paper, you guys!

You will just have to imagine the string on this one as I was in a hurry to get my workshop email out today...but I can't WAIT to show you the rest of my creative session!  See you soon!

Here are the other CTMH products I used to make this one....

A1193 Wreath My Acrylix Stamp

CC1157 Thin Cuts Wreath 

Z4005 Thin Cuts Gift

C1665 Season of Magic My Acrylix Stamp

Poppy Enchantment Exclusive Inks Mini Pigment Pad

Emerald Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Red Glitter Paper 

Makeover Monday A Cut Above Boughs and Berries

I have loved these Cut Above Kits from Close to my Heart since our amazingly talented designers introduced them last year!  Here is one of our new kits called Boughs and Berries...

The kit includes practically everything you need to make the 10 cards including the bases and envelopes.  Choose your own sentiment to add such as the This is Christmas size M My Acrylix Stamp, and add adhesive!

You don't have to stop there, though!  I find myself adding my own personal touches on most any pre-made kit, including this one! I used my Chocolate CS and the Woodgrain Embossing Folder to add a little wooden frame to mine...

I wish I had the same light studio set up at home that they have over at CTMH!  They make my edited pics look pretty pathetic, lol!  You can come and make my version of this one at my Christmas Workshop coming up in November!  Watch for more details at the end of the month!  :)

Remember!  October is almost over, so make sure you get a jump on your Christmas crafting and pick up the wonderful Christmas themed  Stamp of the Month--Twinkle before it's too late!  :)

Everything Old is NEW Again!

Hey, happy weekend!  This is actually Father's Day weekend now, lol.

Just wanted to give you a head's up that there are new While Supplies Last (AKA Clearance!) items up on my website.  Get em while you can, because there are limited quantities available!  Paper, embellishments, dimensional creations, washi, you name it, it's there!  :)

Here are some of my faves!

Chocolate Woodgrain Washi

Sarita Paper Packet

Sarita Complements

Ivy Lane Assortment

Cut Above Birthday Treat Kit

Go grab some great deals, don't forget to join my FREE STAMP gathering so I can send you a free My Acrylix stamp set, and have a fantastic weekend!

Makover Monday! It's A Cut Above!

Hello!  Let's get this Monday rolling with a makeover today, shall we?  I started with the awesome Cut Above Thank You Card Kit.

Here is what the finished card would look like from just the kit pieces...and it is super-cute!

Glitter is totally included with this one!  Yep, you know why I love it now, lol.  Anyhow, I decided to give this one a little Christmas feel with the papers from Snowhaven and the Fundamentals Adventure Paper Packet.

Snowhaven Glacier Sweater Pattern

Paper Fundamentals Topiary

Paper Fundamentals Topiary Glossy Pattern

Snowhaven Ruby Snowflake Pattern

This darling sentiment is from the Merriest Christmas My Acrylix available from Close to My Heart separate from the kit.

I really like the addition of the colored paper to the Kraft card base, how about you?

You can try these all out right now and get even MORE during the Close to My Heart Deal of the Decade!

Stamp of the Month!

Damask Divas Pathfinding Blog Hop!

It is already that time of the month, so why not JUMP into fall with us over at the Damask Divas  Blog Hop!  This month we are featuring the delightful autumn shades of the Pathfinding Paper Packet.

If you came from Kelly's Blog, you are on the right path!  You can also find the entire line-up of talented consultants participating in this hop over on the Damask Divas Blog.

To bring you all up to date with me, I just started working full-time outside the house, and I don't have nearly as much time for my craftiness as I did before.  It sure is a good thing that Close to My Heart just introduced an entire line of products JUST for people like me who WANT to craft and do it quickly!  The Cut Above line is an entirely pre-cut, pre-designed line that gives you all the fun of homemade without the time commitment.   I used the Happy Birthday Card Kit...

...and threw in some Pathfinding Paper to make it over!  I LOVE the woodsy feel of this one.

I chose this sentiment from the You Mean the World to Me My Acrylix...

AND, it was even QUICK and EASY to pop some of the paper into my Cricut E2 and cut this envelope liner using the NEW Cricut Artfully Sent Cartridge!  It matched the envelope perfectly!  :)

I hope you liked my quick craft ideas today on the hop.  They really do help me to stay crafty with almost no time to spare!

Your next stop on the hop is Stephanie's Blog!  Happy fall crafting!  :)