A Valentine Valance Decor

Instead of hanging a seasonal banner across the front of our fireplace,

I decided to create a "valance decor" for Valentine's Day this year.

I started with the pennant bases cut from black cardstock,

and then used Paper Studio patterned papers in spring floral designs

for some of the pennant shapes and for all the punched circles behind the letters.

Patterned papers were layered on top of lacey doilies.

I used the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge to cut the I LOVE YOU letters,

then embellished each with Opaque Pearls.

We'll most likely leave this hanging until Spring, and then

I look forward to hanging lighter weight and lighter colored draperies too.

It's been a long winter -- Spring can't come soon enough!

Sparkle & Shine Christmas Cubes

This trio of cubes was fun to make

using the CTMH Sparkle & Shine papers

and the CTMH Cricut cartridges too!

Turn the cubes and have a different message and scene each turn!

Autumn Harvest with Apple Pickers

Faithbooking Layout:  Psalm 145 selected verses

The Artbooking Cricut Cartridge, an exclusive product from Close To My Heart,

made this layout a simple task and a pretty autumn-themed story.

I cut the 10 inch tree overlay so I would have extra room 

for the additional gold strip across the top of page 2,

where the words of selected verses of Psalm 145 continue from page 1.

A variety of Fall colored cardstock

along with the die cut leaves, apples, and pumpkins

made this clean and simple layout perfect

for showcasing the grandgirls while apple picking and giggling together.

Because I have more vertical and horizontal photos,

I'll add a few layers of Flip Flaps

once the Memory Protectors are on these pages.

I like to "faithbook" these special times together,

and add Scripture verses to remind us all

how good God is, how abundantly He blesses us,

and how He is always with us, day in and day out,

even as we pick apples and make apple crisps--

gifts from His beautiful world.

We can simply give Him our praise and thanks 

from morning until night!

First Day of School

First Day of School -- Artbooking Layouts

For this "First Day" of school two-page layout, 

I used the CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge to cut the title, photo mats, 

and "Think-Grow-Learn" section.

The primary colors of the retired paper packets, School Zone and Rough & Tumble, 

will compliment the photos of first grader Ella

that her mommy will add to the layouts.

The big yellow bus -- the first day outfit -- the new lunch carrier & backpack ...

so much new Grade 1 FUN!

Have you used your Artbooking cartridge?

Tell me how much you like it!

If you don't have yours yet,

please visit my web site and read more about the 700 images that are included!

It's easy to order and have your items delivered right to your door!

Happy Back to School Days!

 

from summer sunrise to sunset

I love summers, and wish that summer would BE endless!

Though we're in the dog days of summer now with 

the thermometer reading near 100 degrees F each day,

I'd much rather be warm than cold!

And we always find a pool or a clean Missouri lake

where we can be refreshed.

I'm going to have to do a layout just showing our little "Goggles Girl."

She does everything in her hot pink goggles--eat breakfast, ride in the van,

play with her dolls, and even color and craft with me.

(I combined Surf's Up with Dream Pop papers

because of the great pops of color in the pinks and sorbets!)

These are my first attempts using the NEW CTMH Cricut Artbooking cartridge

for the layout title and overlays.

This new product provides 700 different patterns for titles, page overlays,

memory book page patterns, borders, and icons!

You can find it in the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book HERE.

 Journaling across the top in black marker reads:

"from summer sunrise to sunset, 

we're so happy to be playing in the lake or pool water together" 

I like to write memories by hand so that those browsing memory books in the future

will see my handwriting and read my impromptu thoughts.

Layout Left Side

Layout Right Side

I used:

Surf's Up! paper packet

Surf's Up wooden button embellishments

Dream Pop paper packet

CTMH Cricut Artbooking cartridge for title & overlays

"My Sunshine" -- April Stamp of the Month 
(for the sunshine words on the sun overlay and for the sunset)
Sorbet Ink

Family Reunion with Claire

(click photo to enlarge)

What's more fun than a family reunion?

Ours are always filled with laughter, hugs, jokes, games, good food and more.

Aunts, uncles, and cousins bring their smiles and memories to share.

At our 2009 reunion, we numbered more than 100 of all ages,

and a highlight was the silent auction table (no money involved, just names)

where handmade and awesome elephant gift prizes were given away.

The beautiful Elling quilt wall hanging (in the family photos) 

made by our cousin Peggy,

was one awesome gift giveaway, 

and it was won by our cousin Vickie 

(who is in yellow, smiling so big in the first page photo). 

At this reunion each of the seven Elling siblings' families wore a 

specific color shirt -- some went to great lengths to have their shirts

printed with special family trees and sayings.

To keep this to a two-page layout,

I used the fantastic Flip Flaps on page 2

so that each family group and special memory would be represented.

(Some aren't visible here since they are underneath the top layers.)

I used:

Claire Paper Packet (I love the peach, pink, and navy combo)

Claire Complements (canvas sentiments on pp 1 and 2)

Irresistables ("Family" title p 1)

and

TA DA!

The new CTMH Cricut ARTBOOKING Cartridge

available to customers August 1st!

Check out my business site here!

I cut the one-piece peach tree & frame for page 1

from the Claire CS at 11 inches.

Thanks to Rebecca Brown for sharing her cart while mine 

is coming via Fed Ex--maybe today, please? 

I can't wait to use this Artbooking cartridge even more!

An Artbooking Workshop will be coming up.

Thanks for stopping by and leaving some love in a comment.

Blessings on your day!