Tag (You're It!) Tuesday Heads to the Beach in Protest

THAT'S IT!!!  I cannot take another second of winter, so I am protesting with a beachy themed post.

*crosses arms over chest and stomps foot*

Who wants to join me in warm thoughts?  Let's go!

I created this little package for a pair of earrings my daughter and her friends are giving a classmate who is moving to Florida...and I am so jealous!  ;)

I took one of our retired paper pouches, and covered it with the retired Footloose Paper.  Yes, there is another theme her...retired people go to FL, and I used a lot of retired products because I want to go too!  ;)  (Yes, I am pouting, and if you are stuck in an endless winter like Anna, then you would too.)

Here is the tag!  This is one of my favorite shapes from the Artiste Cricut collection!  It is thankfully NOT retired, lol.  The stamp I used for the swirly outline is actually from the Artbooking Cricut Collection, though, and I just love how it fits this shape!  The To and From are found on the Holiday Tags My Acrylix.

I attached the Sunset button with a glue dot to the flap, and strung the Paradise Baker's Twine through two holes punched to the back to keep the pouch closed in a neat and tidy way.

 The Footloose Workshop on the Go My Acrylix set was perfect to complete my beachy theme.  I used the rock and roll technique to ink my stamps with the lighter color all over and then rolling the edges in the darker color before stamping...LOVE the result!  I used Creme Brulee rolled in Sunset  for the starfish and Sweet Leaf rolled in Lagoon for the seahorse.  There is a strip of Teal Shimmer Trim sparkling behind them...

Now, don't we feel better after that refreshing visual trip to the beach?  ;)

Sigh.  Spring break cannot come fast enough...

Thinking Warm Thoughts in Layout Form

Hello everyone!  It has been a fast and furious few days in my life.  In case I haven't said it lately, thanks so very much for stopping in to read my blog and see what I have been up to in my craft room.

Today I wanted to share this layout I made by using the first book in the new series by the amazing founder of Close to My Heart, Jeanette Lynton.  Make It From Your Heart, Volume 1 contains the instructions for making 18 layouts and 12 cards with easy-to-follow pictures and cutting guides.  At just $7.95, this publication is a wonderfully affordable way to boost your creativity.

My layout is made with pictures from one of our family trips to Florida.  It is a bit chilly here in the midwest as of late, so I needed to feel some warmth with these beautiful beach pics to keep me holding on until spring break finally arrives.  I used pattern number 12 on page 28.

The gray spotted paper is from a special paper packet Close to My Heart had a while back called Dotty for You.  The shades of blue are Sky, Dutch Blue (retired), and Outdoor Denim.

I used two different My Acrylix sets for this layout, the retired Footloose Workshop on the Go (shell and sand dollar) and the currently available Just Chillin' (bucket.)  A few Opaques added some pretty pearls to my beachy scene.

These wooden shapes are also no longer available, but were just the perfect touch for my layout.  

I did add some extra photos to my layout, so it is a bit different from Jeanette's layout, but that is the beauty of our How-To books!  You get all of the design ideas without handcuffs!  ;)

I wanted to also let you know that two of our previously discontinued How-To books are back with our Spring and Summer Idea Book and more affordable than EVER!  They are now in a softcover edition for only $14.95 each!

 Reflections contains 100 scrapbook layouts.

 Originals gives you 100 card patterns to choose from!

Check them out by clicking on the links above.  Jeanette is brilliant, and they have truly become indispensable tools in my craft room.  :)