Winter Memories | The Cut Shoppe

Hey friends! I’m back today to share a layout that was recently on The Cut Shoppe Blog using the Zig-Zagged Background Cut File and the Snow Day Background Cut File.

The Cut Shoppe | Snow Day and Zig-Zagged Background Cut Files | Simple Stories-Snow Fun

The Cut Shoppe | Snow Day Background Cut File & Zig-Zagged Background Cut File

Last year I purchased a warehouse box and received a few papers from the Simple Stories Snow Fun Collection, but I didn’t have any of the matching ephemera. I absolutely LOVE the papers and colors of this collection, but the colors are very specific. I was having a hard time finding products in my stash that coordinated well with these papers. So I turned to the cut files from The Cut Shoppe.

The Cut Shoppe | Snow Day and Zig-Zagged Background Cut Files | Simple Stories-Snow Fun

I started the layout by using one of the pattern papers from the Simple Stories – Snow Fun Collection as my background. I felt like the background was a little too dark so I added a white wash using white acrylic paint. I also used a dot stencil and Whipped Spackle texture paste to add a little more dimension to the background. I also love how the dots represent snow and play along well with the winter theme of my layout.

The Cut Shoppe | Snow Day and Zig-Zagged Background Cut Files | Simple Stories-Snow Fun

These photos were taken during a big snow storm in 2015. We had over 16″ of snow fall in just a few hours on a Sunday. It made for a perfect day to play outside. Aidan LOVES playing in the snow. Actually I think it’s more a love of a snowball fight! HA! He would stay out there for hours and it’s all about throwing the largest snowball…even if it includes using a shovel to throw it!

The Cut Shoppe | Snow Day and Zig-Zagged Background Cut Files | Simple Stories-Snow Fun

I used the Snow Day Cut File to cut various size snowflakes using silver glitter cardstock. If you are a Cricut Explore user, like me, then you can use a custom setting to ensure that you get a clean, crisp cut when using specialty papers. You can find out more info about this custom setting in my YouTube process video posted below.

The Cut Shoppe | Snow Day and Zig-Zagged Background Cut Files | Simple Stories-Snow Fun

I then used multiple pieces from the Snow Fun cut apart sheet for the layers behind my photo and for my title. I wanted to add another pop of color to the layout so I used the Zig-Zagged Background Cut File to cut a couple of chevrons and tucked them next to the vertical strips of paper.

The Cut Shoppe | Snow Day and Zig-Zagged Background Cut Files | Simple Stories-Snow Fun

I’m so happy with how this layout came together! I love that because of the cut files I was able use papers that may have sat in my stash for years until I came across ephemera that matched the papers! I’ve put together a process video that includes a Cricut Design Space tutorial.

Thanks so much for joining me today!

Kelly Janes

Crazy Smiles | Hip Kit Club

Hey crafty friends! I’m back with a new layout for Hip Kit Club using the December 2016 Hip Kits.

Hip Kit Club | December 2016 Hip Kits

I started with a white cardstock background and added a splash of color using the packaging technique with the yellow No Yoking Coloringz that was included in the April 2016 Color Kit.

Hip Kit Club | December 2016 Hip Kits

I then layered one of the Pink Paislee Take Me Away Collection pattern papers, included in the Main Kit, in the center of the white cardstock. I added my photos and created a journaling card using the Echo Park Silver Foiled Dot pattern paper and another of the Pink Paislee-Take Me Away pattern papers. I added my journaling using my WRMK Typecast Typewriter.

These photos were taken on Aidan’s 4th birthday and he was making all of these silly, crazy faces that just captured him perfectly at this age! I typically don’t scrapbook this many photos on a single layout, but I couldn’t choose just one or two to use. These are the faces that I would get each and every time I asked Aidan to smile for a picture. I love how these photos are just SO him! Melts my heart in a matter of just a few seconds!

Hip Kit Club | December 2016 Hip Kits

I also die cut a few faux stitched circles from another of the Take Me Away pattern papers. I added hand stitching around each of the circles using white embroidery floss. I added my title, from the Amy Tan Thickers included in the Main Kit, to the largest circle.  I wanted the title to pop off the page so I used the yellow Prima Oil Pastel from the August 2016 Color Kit. I just colored directly onto the words and used my finger to smudge the color. For final touches I added a few Carta Bella black enamel dots from the Embellishment Kit and a few more of the asterisks from the Amy Tan Thicker pack that are colored with the same Prima Oil Pastel.

Hip Kit Club | December 2016 Hip Kits

I’ve put together a video showing how this layout came together!

This layout is based off sketch #8 of the Hip Kit Club Facebook Forum sketch series. Be sure to head to the forum to check out the sketch and the other DT member’s interpretations!

Thanks for joining me today!

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