Scrapbook Those Summer Layouts: A Fun and Simple Beach Layout

 If you're like me, you take lots of summer photos. You also want to fit as many photos on your layouts as possible. You want those layouts to be easy and fun, and you want to make good use of those tools in which you've invested your hard-earned money. I'm going to show you how to make the two-page layout below with just a few sheets of patterned paper, cardstock, buttons, thread, and one foot of ribbon, as well as your Cricut machine. (If you don't have a Cricut, you can certainly use another machine or other pre-made embellishments.)

Use solid cardstock as the base for your pages.

Cut coordinating cardstock into two 12" x 6" panels, and adhere two inches from the top of each page.

Adhere your photos to the panels, which will serve as mats for your photos. This will allow you to include photos of different sizes and orientations, yet have them look cohesive and organized.

Cut patterned paper into eight 3" x 4" rectangles, and adhere directly below photo mats. I alternated both sides of double-sided papers.

Punch decorative border strips from remaining patterned papers, and adhere to the bottom edge of each page.

Using the Cricut with the Jubilee cartridge, cut your title from your choice of papers. I cut "summer" at 1 ½" and "FUN" at 2".

Cut three 3" scalloped circles from kraft cardstock.

Adhere the title "FUN" to scalloped circles, and outline with a white gel pen.

Adhere the title to the right side of the layout, placing "summer" on the top and "FUN" on the bottom.

Add the journaling circle to the left side of the layout.

Freehand cut three circles at approximately 1 ½" and three at approximately 1" in size, all from patterned paper. The circles should NOT be perfect. Layer one of each size to create a flower.

Tie twine through the buttons and attach to the centers of the flowers.

Add ribbon (cut into two 6" pieces) and the flowers to your layout for embellishment.

Here is a list of the supplies I used for this layout:



Brights Cardstock Stack by Die Cuts With a View

Little Yellow Bicycle Journal Tablet by Deja Views

summer-themed patterned papers, such as Barefoot and Bliss by BoBunny

Cricut machine and Jubilee cartridge by Provo Craft

Scalloped-edge punch by E.K. Success

twine, such as this Baker's Twine by We R Memory Keepers

striped ribbon

buttons from my stash

Ghost Earrings (Revisited)

These were such a hit last year that I thought I'd re-post this video.  Have a fun and Happy Halloween!

November Classes at The Ink Pad

Hi everyone!  Just thought I'd pop in and give you the info. about my upcoming classes at The Ink Pad.  On Tuesday, November 8th, from 7:15 to 8:30, I'll be teaching Distressed Holiday Tags.  Then on Tuesday, November 29th, from 7:15 to 8:30, I'll be teaching Mini Book Ornaments.  You can find all of the details on the store's website (http://www.theinkpadnyc.com/) within the next week or so.  I'll probably be posting photos soon, so stop by and check them out.

Until next time, remember to be your crafty self.

J

Two Thumbs DOWN for The Scrapbook Showgram

Hi everyone.  Sorry it's been so long since I last blogged.  I've been busy working at the Fab Ink Pad in the West Village.  You really should stop by if you love paper crafting.  And that's all of you, right?

Now on to something that isn't so fabulous.  It seems like The Scrapbook Showgram with Sandi Genovese is going the way of so many other "free" shows on the Internet.  Now they are forcing anyone who wants access to past "free" shows to pay a Gold Membership fee.  Of course, this special membership includes access to exclusive forums and a gallery where you can share your projects (be still my heart!).

When I expressed my feelings to Sandi and Jim (the producer), Jim replied that they are doing this because they can't get sponsors for the show.  What a lame excuse for charging a fee for access to "free" shows!  Yes, they will still continue to air a free show every week; but if you want to watch past episodes, you have to be a Gold Member (Oh, behave!). 

Oh, well.  There are still plenty of free shows and videos on the 'net.  And I'm off to watch some now!  Thanks for stopping by, and remember to always be your crafty self.

Echo Park's Summer Days Collection

Echo Park's Summer Days Collection

Price: The whole collection is $13.99, but individual double-sided patterned papers are available for $.89 each. You can also purchase double-sided solid cardstock for $.79 a sheet. Other add-ons include: cardstock stickers (including alphabets) for $2.99 a sheet, rub-ons for $2.99 a sheet and decorative brads for $4.99 a package.

Product Description:

The Echo Park Summer Days Collection has just about everything you will need to showcase all of your summer vacation, beach, and outdoor photos. The collection includes a dozen 12" x 12" double-sided patterned sheets of cardstock, one 12" x 12" sheet of alphabet stickers, and one 12" x 12" sheet of element stickers. All of the classic summer images are included: ice cream cones, ice pops, flip-flops, flowers, birds, trees, grass, roller coasters, ferris wheels, suns, pennants, and bicycles. There are stripes, checks, polka dots, scallops, clouds, balloons, and circles. The colors are bright, festive, and fun and just looking at them will bring a smile to your face.

In Use:

It's very rare that I love all of the elements of any scrapbooking collection, but Echo Park's collections are the exception, especially the Summer Days Collection. There isn't a single thing that I don't love about the papers, stickers, and embellishments. The best thing about Echo Park's collections is that the papers are so versatile. You can use them as the base paper for your layouts, or you can cut them apart into large pieces or strips. Some of the design elements are large enough to cut out and use as additional embellishments. One of the cardstock sheets has journaling spots on one side and a bright, summery print on the back. The journaling spots help you to incorporate your journaling into your layout seamlessly and easily. I've also been known to cut apart the display sheet that comes with the collection and use the pieces on my layouts and cards. Even the small sample on the bottom of the cardstock sheets, showing the pattern on the reverse side, can be used. You really get your money's worth with Echo Park!

Tips and Techniques:

Use the papers and stickers in this collection to make bright, fun scrapbook pages for all your summer photos and cards.

Use edge punches to create your own border strips and decorative edges.

Die-cut or punch shapes to use as embellishments for your pages and cards.

Make party decorations and invitations with the colorful, fun summer designs.

Use the papers and embellishments for birthday pages and cards too.

Haunted Window Card

I just have to share this awesome video from Hero Arts!  Enjoy!

Cute Cards for Kids

Hi everyone!  I hope that everyone has weathered Irene well, and that you are all safe and sound.  We seem to be doing fine, although the wind is kicking up now.

Today I'd like to share with you the details for the cards I showed at the end of my last video.  These cards were inspired by one of Gina K's videos. 

Instead of using sponge daubers to make the circles, I used the Round Designer's Block Cube by JudiKins.  In the centers of the circles, I stamped elements from the Circle Sampler set by The Angel Company.  The adorable dolphin and octopus stamps are from the dollar bin at one of the major craft stores.  I don't remember which one, but the stamps are made by Imaginisce.

I punched the corners with a punch from Fiskars.  For a finishing touch, I added a few small punched flowers and a little ribbon.

Thanks for visiting, and happy crafting!