SWEET!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner!  I thought I would share a super sweet two-page layout with you!  First let me say that Close To My Heart makes scrapbooking so easy!  They have how-to pattern books that give you the layout's you want, with directions and cut size's.  All you do is pick the pattern that will go with the pictures you want to use -OR- you pick the layout you want to take pictures to fit!!  The pattern for this layout comes from Jeannette Lynton's book, MAGIC, page 22, titled "Now You See It".  MAGIC is a great book, but it has become retired and take my advice, if you see a copy, pick it up!  You can search on Amazon and see that it is going for $57.00 + USED!  Never fear!  If you are one of my CTMH customers...I have the book.  Also, they are coming out with other paper backed pattern books that are just as great if not better because of the price!  The paper I used for this layout is called SWEETHEART and it is also retired.  But, I am sure that you could peruse the internet and find some if you really wanted to!  I will have two of these layouts for sale in my Etsy Shop.  :)

This is a fabulous layout for some engagement or couple pictures...exceptional for some black and white photo's!  The first page has space for a large photo, a little smaller than 8 x 8...an 8 x 10 could be cut down for it.  The second page has room for three vertical 4 x 6 photos.
On the first page, I used the CTMH exclusive Cricut Cartridge, "Art Philosophy" to cut out the word "sweet" at 2 inches.  I then took a flourish stamp and my tulip ink and highlighted each letter.  I used the "swiping" technique on the "Love" square.  Swiping means to take your stamp and "swipe" it across your ink pad.  It gives it a "brushed" look.  The stamp set I used is called "Love Ya" from 2011 as well.  The hearts, I stamped and cut out to add to my page.  I scallop cut the white paper to give it that "sweet" polish, adding bitty pearls (Z1707, $2.95) on every other scallop.

The two tags with ribbon were cut on Art Philosophy at 2".  I added white paper with pink hearts to them and a little white gelly roll pen across the top to give them dimension.  What do you think of the Happily Ever After ribbon??  It worked perfect for this project, which is COOL because I purchased it at the Big "M" on clearance.  I tied it onto the tags and made sure that the words were on there just right to see the "Happily" and the "Ever...After".  Then I tucked them behind my large picture mat!  That just left the two little black button brads for the bottom left corner.  :)
Speaking of buttons....CTMH announced to it's consultants that it will be discontinuing it's button line after the next catalog.  That catalog runs until June.  They have an EXCELLENT price on buttons, so pick some up by clicking on my "shop with me" button on the right of this post.  72 assorted buttons for $5.95 and they are gorgeous and of course color-coordinated!

Page two of my layout was just as fun to make!  The ribbon is on there loosely so that the pictures can be added later right underneath the ribbon and scallop border at the top.  There are three sweet little hearts on the top and more bitty pearls on the scallop.  Down below I stamped the sentiment, matted it and then "popped" it up with pop-dots.  I then added two more sweet little brads underneath.  The journal spot in the middle is just big enough to record the thoughts of the day.  I double matted it to bring some interest and attention to it.  Have a sweet day everyone!  xoxoxo