With Photos or Without?

 Someone told me that they prefer to look at artwork without the photos attached.  The photos are too distracting when browsing.  What do you think?  When you look at the layouts on my blog and on other blogs, do you prefer to see the artwork without the photos or with them?  I am undecided about this.   My blog was created to show off all the great things that Close To My Heart sells and things you can make with that stuff.  It wasn't created so I can show you my life and family.  Ok, so that doesn't sound right but you know what I mean.  My family is important to me but not necessarily to you.  So what do you prefer when you are looking at others blogs?  With photos on the layouts or without?  Let me know.  You can send me a private message or you can comment below.  I would like to hear your opinion. 

There is a lot going on with this layout. I loved making the banner for my title. To do that I took a 1 ¼ inch square and cut it from corner to corner. Then I sponged some of them with baby pink ink and the other ones with cotton candy ink. Then with Archival Black ink. I also used some of the black Epoxy Stickers and layers them with some stamped images. I also did some stamping right on the layout in a few places.


All supplies are from Close To MY Heart unless otherwise noted:
Sweetheart Papers X7134B
Colors are Black, Cotton Candy, Tulip and Baby Pink
Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment Epoxy Stickers Z1386
Sweetheart Stamp Set B1370
Friendship Alphabet

Thanks for stopping by…
Laurie

A Layout made with the New Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge!

This was a really fun layout to make. I got to play with the new Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. This cartridge is exclusive to Close To My Heart, you won't find it at any other store for purchase. 

I cut out the leaves on colonial white cardstock and then I stamped the coordinating leaves using a variation of the rock and roll technique. To do this I inked up the leaf stamp in goldrush ink. Then I dabbed on some color using Autumn Terracotta and Chocolate. I even used a bit on Olive too son a few of the stamps. This gives you a one of a kind look to the ink and leaves.

I also cut out the Blue patterned paper from the Art Philosophy Cartridge. So fun…

 

All supplies are from Close to My Heart unless otherwise noted:

Grace Paper Packet X7117B
Colors are Twilight, Goldrush, Autumn terracotta, Bamboo and Chocolate.
Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge Z1686
Happy Harvest Stamp Set C1436 (coordinates with Art Philosophy)
Color ready Cork Alphabet Z1450
Clear Buttons Z1391
Goldrush Waxy Flax (retired)
Corner Rounder Z578
Harvest Charms Z1633

To cut from Art Philosophy:
Leaf 2 B4 size 2”
Leaf 4 D6 size 1 ½”
Leaf 1 E2 size 2 ½”
Shape 8 C7 size 11”

One the keyboard I have named each key separate. What I did was name each row A, B, C, D and E starting at the top going down. Then I named each one across from 1-10. So 4 down and 6 across is D6. I hope that makes sense to you.

Thanks for stopping by…
Laurie

Happy Retirement Card

For this card I wanted to make it a “Use It Up” card. Which means going into my stash and using up some of the things that have been retired or I have had for ages. You know what I mean, we all have it…stuff we have bought years ago and have not used. I challenge you to “use it up” this week as well.


For the leaves I inked them up in Honey Ink and then dabbed random spots with autumn terracotta and Olive ink. I then stamped them onto Colonial white textured cardstock and cut them out.

All supplies are from Close to My Heart unless otherwise noted:
Black cardstock
Bamboo and Colonial White textured cardstock
Autumn terracotta B&T papers
Autumn Terracotta brads (unknown…they were a gift)
Party Pennants C1429
Natures Vein D1232
Autumn Terracotta Ink Z1201
Olive Ink Z2137
Honey Ink Z2162
Foam Tape Z268

Thanks for stopping by...
Laurie

Quick and Easy Layouts

These are very simple pages to do. The sketch is from the Magic book…magician’s choice. It uses very little patterned paper so leftovers from some other pages would do. Throw in a couple of cardstock and you have your layout!


All supplies are from Close To My Heart unless otherwise noted:
Sketch from the Magic Book…Magician’s Choice
Lucky Paper Packet X7137B
Colors are Olive, Outdoor Denim, Desert Sand and Colonial White
Ribbon, Green Collection (retired)
Buttons Green Assortment Z1372
Colonial White Waxy Flax Z1081
EK Success Bracket Border Punch

Thanks for stopping by…
Laurie

It has been a while...

I used to play a lot of Bingo a few years ago. It was sort of a family tradition in our family. So when the Lucky Papers came out I was really excited! They would go perfect with my Bingo photos. I really like the Lucky Level 2 Assortment Chipboard Accents. They are lightweight, thick chipboard with a shiny finish.

Again, Close To My Heart has a winner here with these coordinating accents.

All supplies are form Close To My Heart unless otherwise noted:
Sketch…Magic…Parlor Trick
Lucky Paper Packet X7137B
Colors are Desert Sand, Bamboo, Olive, Sunset, Outdoor Denim and Colonial White
Lucky My Stickease X7137C
Lucky Level 2 Assortment Z1356
Outdoor Denim Exclusive Inks Z2140
Moments in Time Stamp Set D1339

Thanks for stopping by…
Laurie