Paper Trail Blog Hop - Dreamin'

Welcome to the November Paper Trail blog hop. Thanks for stopping by. If you've arrived here from Mary's blog, you are in the right place. Don't worry if you are starting here - this hop is circular so you can start anywhere!

Now, let's get to the paper. I have been dreamin about this paper! It is the first pack that I bought from the new idea book, and I love it. I did the workshop and created a bunch of layouts (including this one). So for this month's hop I decided to create some cards instead. Cards are often daunting to me but I've found a few strategies that help me:

1. Make a few (or more than a few) cards at a time - even if you don't need them right now, you will someday!
2. Use similar (or identical) products - after all, if they work once, they will work again and the recipients aren't likely to notice.
3. Don't rely only on your brain (or Hallmark) for inspiration. I love to use CTMH's current idea book as a jumping off point.

When I sat down to create these cards I gathered my paper, kraft cardstock bases (4.25x5.5 standard size) the Dreamin' workshop stamp set, Colonial White Waxy Flax and some buttons from the blue assortment. I flipped through the idea book starting at the back and the tag card created using the Wicked stamp set (August SOTM) caught my eye (p 139). Here is the card I created inspired by the one on page 139:

On top of my kraft base, I added some Goldrush cardstock and B&T paper from scraps leftover from my layouts. The dandelion image is from the workshop stamp set. A little bit of waxy flax and one perfectly sized button, and I was very happy with the result.

Although my base was the same, my supplies were the same and my source of inspiration was the same, the other two cards look distinctly different.

I love working with what is already on my desk. This card takes advantage of the zip strip on one of the B&T papers and once again utilizes the workshop stamp set, waxy flax and button. I modified the design from a smaller square card I found on page 79. Can you see the resemblance?

I also created this one:

I plan to use it for a friend's birthday (happy coincidence I was already making cards.) For this one I had to supplement my supplies a bit. I dug into my embellishment bag and found a CTMH Just Blooms flower from the Big Pinks collection (now retired.) Like the two previous cards, this one took its design from a card in the Autumn/Winter idea book. Can you find the card? I will randomly choose one commenter with the correct answer to win a small prize.

There is more Dreamin' to see. Enjoy the rest of the posts, and start by hopping on over to Vicki's blog to see what she's created.

Winter Card Workshop

Check out the cards that I made in preparation for my workshop:

The pattern is Winning Combination from CTMH's Originals card confidence program. The papers are from CTMH's Wonderland paper packet. Using this pattern, you can make 24 cards from one packet. This workshop is based on the ideas of Linda Taylor.

Making 24 cards is what we set out to do, however, I had greatly underestimated how long things would take. Still, we had a good time and each of us completed some nice cards.

I gave my cards as examples, not necessarily models that needed to be copied, and I'm glad that I did. I loved the creativity around my table tonight. With the same papers, stamp sets and embellishments, the women created gorgeous - and sometimes very different - cards. I ended up crafting a card based on the example of one of my friends!

Thanks, ladies, for the inspiration and the laughs. Two big reasons I love crafting in groups!


If you would like a kit to create your own cards or if you would like information about future workshops, please contact me!

In addition to the paper, I used sparkles, bitty sparkles, the bling assortment (bling buttons and stick pins) and buttons from the blue assortment. Stamp sets used: Holiday Magic, Christmas Love, Made with Love, Wonderland workshop stamp.

Getting into home dec - Paper Thrills challenge #30

I have framed layouts before. I've even created framed pieces using my supplies that don't include photos, but still the current challenge at Paper Thrills - to create a fall wall-hanging - made me a bit nervous. I took my inspiration from Aly Dodsall who did a whole week about home decor at write.click.scrapbook last month and here is what I created:

I started with a Styrofoam wreath - a 12 inch one, I believe. I followed Aly's suggestion and cut some paper from the (retired) CTMH Olivia collection into 2X3 blocks (about 50 of them).When I started arranging the paper on the wreath, I found I liked tilting the blocks and creating the fun zig zag effect inside.

After the paper was on I was a bit stumped. I just couldn't decide where to go. My hubby suggested photos - after all Paper Thrills is a challenge blog for scrapbookers. That was the next burst of inspiration I needed. I used CTMH's new Foundry Pin Clips as my photo holders. The pin clips were perfect because in addition to fitting with the style of the project, I will be able to switch out the photos as I wish!  I found the ribbon and then added some Mocha Opaques from CTMH and voila, challenge complete!

Now head on over to Paper Thrills and check out what the rest of the design team created. While you're there, why not play along yourself? I can't wait to see what you create! 

I see you...

The current challenge at Paper Thrills is a fall color challenge. It was especially challenging for me since I had summer and winter photos! I chose some papers that reflected the color scheme (from CTMH's retired Olivia packet) and then started searching through my photos. I was pleasantly surprised when I found some summer playground photos that looked nice with the fall oranges and browns.

I have created multiple pages featuring my kids playing at our neighborhood playground. I wanted this one to be a little bit different. I chose to focus on the photo of my shadow and use that perspective to tell my story. Here is the result:

I embellished with a kraft border from CTMH (now retired) and a couple of stamped die cuts.

The focus of the layout was really the story rather than the embellishments as with many of my pages.
Here is the story.

Now head on over to Paper Thrills and check out what the rest of the design team created. While you're there, why not play along yourself? I can't wait to see what you create!