Farm Life from Best Creation

When Karen got the "Farm Life" paper by Best Creation into the store, I was excited to use it! I definitely have enough farm photos to create a variety of layouts.

First, I'll share the cards. I enjoyed mixing small bits of the pattern paper with solid color cardstock. When you use such small amounts of the pattern paper, you can make a whole lot of cards with one sheet of your favorite pattern!

 

For one of my layouts I used the project life page protectors with 9 4x4 squares-- it was a very easy way to slip some photos and pattern paper and build a simple yet creative layout.

 

And my second layout was simpler... I used a polkadot pattern paper and cut a creative edge to make it unique.  I printed an 8x10 photo but trimmed it to a 6x10 to give it a longer rectangle shape for the layout.

 

Do you have any farm life photos that you could use with this super cute paper?

Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells

Even if you're not into the steampunk look,  Graphic 45 does it right with the Steampunk Spells line.  Steam powered machinery plus the Victorian era plus Graphic 45s bold colors and  awesome designs equals funky, colorful scrapbooking layouts.  Karen has this line in at the store so you can be ready for fall, Halloween, and so many other things using your creativity!


At first glance at Steampunk Spells, you'll probably think Halloween.  Look again.  I focused on the papers and elements with clocks and created this simple, straightforward layout about my oldest son, Spencer.  The photos, taken 17 years apart, captured my sense that time is flying by much too fast!  One of his senior photos and one from when he just had learned to pull himself to standing by the sofa, prompted some reflective Mom-journaling.  Yes, this paper is busy, but by adding pops of color (the blue paper and orange rik-rak) and focusing on the clocks, I believe the emphasis is on the sentiment and the photos, not the paper.

Next, I turned my attention to telling a story about last year's Halloween dream come true for my DH.  For years, he has said, "how funny would it be to rent a gorilla suit and get up on the roof and scare kids?"  Oh boy.  2012 was that year.  The Halloween papers in the Steampunk Spells line set off the goofy antics of my DH and youngest child.  I loved using the embellishment "flags" - they are double sided and oh so versatile!   And just so you know, only 1 child was actually scared.  The DH received lots of "that's awesome, man" from Dads and their trick-or-treaters !!

 
Look closely - of course, my projects are not complete without Glossy Accents - 
but no glitter this time!  Ha! 

Complimenting this line is the beautiful sheet of blue flowered paper.  I loved using it to create a couple of unique cards. The back side of this paper is a two-tone orange houndstooth print, a nice unexpected surprise with you open the tri-fold card pictured below. 

 
Ali Edwards stamps lend themselves well to both scrapbooking and card making!  Karen has many to choose from - check them out!

 
Using dark paper for stamping or adhering sticker letters provides an interesting contrast and departure from the norm.  I used white ink on the Saying Hello card and went back over the stamped lines with a white embossing pen to make it pop a little more.   

There are so many other papers and embellishments in this line that the combinations are limitless!  Mini books, theme books, home/holiday decor (printer trays, wreaths, paper-pumpkins - just google these ideas or find them on pinterest) and enjoy!



To learn more about this line, click here - 
 http://www.g45papers.com/products/steampunk-spells-category 

 click on the photos and they will open to full size so you can see details:)