Dare to Fly Layout

I am so excited to share this ‘Dare to Fly’ layout with you- I LOVE it!! It has to be one of my favourite ones that I have created EVER.
dare to fly layout

Our Ariana paper was perfect for the shabby chic look I was going for.  I used our CTMH cricut Art Philosophy for the big circle in the back and then cut pieces of paper to layer over it.  I even tore the edges of some of the pieces- something I have not done in a long time.  I used two cards from the Chantilly Picture my Life set for my title and my journaling box (so perfect!) and then adorned with accessories from our Frosted collection last catalogue- I had one pack left and they were just the perfect addition.  And I added my last piece of lagoon zipper lace- so love this and now have to buy more!!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Picture My Life Layout

I have been creating more layouts using some of our unconventional products- this one using our Picture My Life pocket scrapbooking cards in my layout.  These are cards from our Later Sk8r set (and even though they paper is retired I had just enough left to use as part of this layout).

The quotes and images on these cards can add the perfect accent touch to your layout- like mine do here for our 4 wheel fun photos.  I also added some pieces and stickers from one of our My Crush Assortments (they are perfect for so many things!).  I finished the layout off with some epoxy bubbles, slate twist ties and a title cut from the CTMH cricut Artbooking.

big ideas layout

 

Here is a close up of one of the cards and you can see some of the My Crush Assortments used as a flag under the card and for the name on the top of the photo.

 

big ideas layout close 1

 

Have you tried out Picture my Life Kits yet?? What have you used them for?

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Scrapbooking ‘Older’ Photos

Scrapbooking ‘older’ photos can sometimes be a challenge- especially if you don’t want to use a paper that evokes the feeling of heritage.  That was the case for me with my photo- one of me as a wee baby (super cute!) on a lovely 70’s style sofa.  It was a small photo that had more couch in it then baby so the first thing I did was take it in to be resized so that I could show more of the baby and less of the couch.  Since photos in the 70s were taken once (no mass photo shoots of cute babies then) I had no choice but to use a one page layout.
love smiles single layout

I cut a circle on my cricut on the ‘fit to page’ setting and used it as a template for drawing my circles on the layout- three in total slightly overlapping.  I then layered my photo with bits of patterned paper and cardstock.  I added a tag and some stickers and then lots of fun (and matching) accessories around the circle. I LOVE how it all came out and am excited to tackle other photos from my childhood now.

Have you scrapbooked your childhood photos?

Share them in a link in the comments below.

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Technique Tuesday: Background Stamps

Technique Tuesday is back and today we are going to focus on using stamps but not just any stamps… background stamps.  We have sold a variety of these over the years and currently have a few to chose from- they are great and are VERY versatile!! Obviously you can use them to create your own background pattern – that is what I did in this layout but I inked my stamp with a sponge so that I could get the look I was seeking.
cousin fun background stamp

You also may notice I did not use CTMH paper for this one- it is pretty rare that I find something else like as much as what we carry but his time I did find one.  It was perfect in this layout (and I still used my CTMH white enamel marquee shapes and the Artbooking cartridge to really bring my layout together).

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Vellum Layout

CTMH has a new Idea book coming out August 1st (and I cannot wait)!! I leave in two weeks to partake of the unveiling of new products and all the excitement that goes along with it (and I will share once I return JUST how fun convention is).

I can say that I am going to make a prediction.  This one is based on our recent Free to be Me special for customers (it was a good one and the paper was yummy!).  My prediction (and secret hope) is that our new book will see vellum in it.  I have missed it and have noticed it featured more and more in paper crafting magazines, etc.  I know that in the past when CTMH brings something out in a monthly special it is often because they are testing how that item will do.  I think this item did well enough …. fingers crossed!

advisory vellum page

To create this layout I used a full piece of vellum as the base of my page and then layered pieces on it from there.  My favourite part is the polaroid frames along the bottom- they turned out really nice (and were cut out using my CTMH cricut art booking).

What would you like to see in our new Idea Book?  This one will be an annual book so think all four seasons!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Scrapbooking with Picture my Life

My daughter turns 3 in a  few months (a fact she never lets us forget as she reminds us every time someone else celebrates a birthday).  First of all I cannot believe how quickly she is growing and changing- everyday she seems a LOT more grown up than the day before.  I decided to chronicle what she is like at 2 in this layout- just to make sure I remember the funny and sweet parts!

  • She is a HUGE girly-girl- loves her dresses, tries to wear makeup (thanks to my Dad for this gift) and is a fan of all things purple, pink and princess (and is pretty obsessed with Minnie Mouse).
  • She has a smile that can melt your heart but also has her serious look- like she can see right into your heart and soul.

ellery at 2

 

To create my layout I used some of our Picture my Life cards (these are part of our pocket scrapbooking system and they have SO MANY great uses!)  They were perfect in this layout for my journaling and to add some nice images and quotes to the overall layout.

 

 

ellery at 2 close 1

 

In the bottom photo I cut the three hearts out of one of the PML cards and used foam tape to pop them up and add some dimension.

ellery at 2 close 2

 

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Technique Tuesday: Crush Assortments

Happy Technique Tuesday- I know that these have been a bit AWOL lately but things got REALLY busy in my business (it really is a good problem to have LOL).  But, we are back on track and since summer is right around the corner (and a whole new catalogue August 1st) then you should see lots of great posts on a variety of topics!

I want to share with you- in face I want to give you permission- to use products NOT intended for your layouts ON your layouts. I don’t mean things that may not be safe or that could be harmful to your photos in future but things that you may have purchased for other paper crafts- in my layout below I use things purchased to go with one of our Crush albums (similar to Smash books).  I know it may seem silly and maybe you were already using these things on your layouts but often I find that people don’t do it- they haven’t even really thought about it.  Then you try it on ONE project and that is it…. ADDICTION!! Throughout the month of June you will see a theme of my projects using either the Crush assortments or our Picture my life projects within more traditional layouts and projects- seriously I just LOVE the results and cannot stop!

Check out some of the fun I had below:

cinderella single page

 

You can see better in this close up a variety of fun images- tags, tickets, word bubbles and fun envelopes- all of these came from one of the Crush assortments (and these assortments are inexpensive and FULL Of good stuff!).

cinderella single page close 1

Of course I also added some other fun details- my title came off the CTMH cricut Artbooking – I wasn’t sure if I would like the white on white but in the end it was the perfect accent.  I added some accessories- our skylark assortment, sparkle assortment and white marquee enamel shapes and a stamp (that is the ONLY stamp that I own that is not CTMH but I fell in love with it recently at a show I was at).

cinderella single page close 2

 

A quote from Cinderella herself pulls it all together for me- I just love how this all turned out in the end!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


June Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the June stamp of the month blog hop- I hope you are ready for LOTS of inspiration in how you can use this VERY fun stamp set!  If you have just come from Dawn’s Blog then you are on the right path!  Just read on and follow the link at the end of my post!

june stamp layout

For my layout I used the stamp to add the small title and ticket details to my page.  I also used one of the small firework bursts in first and second generation stamping and added it to the bottom right corder of the page (where I had also used some spray from the spray pen).

 

 

june layout close 2

 

Other elements of my page came from the My Crush Assortments- these little bags of assortments are PURE GOLD!! They have lots of fun pieces that you can use in a variety of ways- I used mine for the letter stickers and the tag embellishment.  Added some baker’s twine and I love how this one page came out!

june layout close 3

june stamp layout close 1

Now hop on over to Traci’s blog to see what she has created!

Remember to leave some love!

 

 

 

 

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Here I come Hawaii!!

I am so excited to share the BIG news!! In only 7 months I have earned the Close to my Heart Incentive Trip to Hawaii!!!

I just received this email:

Aloha!

Congratulations on earning the Hawaii 2015 Land Tour!  We are so proud of your dedication to your business that made this trip a reality! This luxurious vacation at the Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa will be a vacation that you’ll remember for years to come and we look forward to spending time with you!

Enjoy exclusive entertainment, fabulous food and lazy lounging at this incredible location as well as explore and discover the natural beauty and culture of the shores of Oahu. 

Sincerely,
Close To My Heart

I am even more excited because it is at a Disney resort and we are planning to take our kids (my son went on one trip with me but this will be the first for both children).  They have been talking about it since I told them what we could get… now I have the fun of telling them we are going!!

Hey Disney…. here comes the Montgomery clan!

 

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Brae-er Team Blog Hop- Free to Kiss!

 Welcome to my Brae-er Team Blog Hop- since May is National Scrapbooking Month we decided to feature some really fun and useful techniques for scrapbooking! On this hop you will find tutorials and maybe even some videos!  Just follow along with the links at the bottom of my post and if you get lost come back here where I have the full list posted.

For my technique I decided to focus on Kissing! I love this technique as it really adds versatility to your stamp collection!

To ‘kiss; your stamps gather together one that is more of a solid image (like my fab in the picture below) and one that has a pattern that you would like to transfer onto the solid stamp.  Ink up your solid image and then ‘kiss’ it with the pattern.  (I like to make a little kiss-y noise when I do this – silly but fun).

kiss technique

This is what you get:kiss technique 2

Here are a few images I did- I used the April stamp of the month because it went so well with my pictures of my friends and I at our annual Swiss Chalet Festive Special Dinner.

kiss technique 3

 

and here is the final product! I used the Free to be Me paper (get it for only $5 with a $50 order this month) and some of our teal shimmer trim.

free one page layout

 

NOW- I am missing ONE thing! A title…. what title would you give this layout??

Now hop on over to Chris’s Blog to see what amazing creation she has for you!

Here is the full list:

1. Brae Montgomery- www.brae-er.com

2. Chris Robertson- http://chriscreativelife.blogspot.com/2014/05/national-scrapbook-month-blog-hop.html

3. Michelle Stewart – www.mycreationswithmichelle.blogspot.ca

4. Kimberly Clark – http://leokc34.blogspot.com/2014/05/ctmh-brae-er-group-hop.html

5. Carol-Anne Grenier – http://cargren-ctmh.blogspot.ca/

6. Carol Taggio-http://craftycarol55.blogspot.com/2014/05/national-scrapbooking-month-may-blog-hop.html

Until we craft again, The Brae-er