Monday, April 24, 2017

LIVE BEAUTIFULLY CARDS TUTORIAL & TIPS



Welcome!  I am thrilled you stopped by for a visit!  Over the next few posts, I'm excited to share with you some of cards, tags and layouts I've made with the Live Beautifully collection.   Since this collection will only be available May 1-31, consider this a bit of a sneak peak! Yay! These papers feature rich floral patterns, gold foil designs, Art Deco, and more.  

Today, we'll look at two of the cards that will be part of an upcoming Card Workshop for locals and as kits for those unable to attend.  


Let's start with the "hello" card.  I really like how this (and the others-lol)!) turned out.  I've layered sea glass, gold foil floral, white daisy, and gold foil dots papers.  The colors and patterns of these papers work so well together.   I used the "hello" thin cut with  seaglass cardstock for the sentiment.  

As you'll recall, thin cuts are metal dies that quickly and easily cut specific paper shapes.  They work well with most die-cutting machines.  I used my trusty Sizzix.  I like that the dies come on a magnetic sheet in a clear sleeve--easy to keep track of when crafting!  


I love the subtle color combination on this "be your own kind of beautiful" card. For this card, I used a classic diagonal striped paper with white daisy.  I stamped my flower with Pixie and the leaves with Sea Glass.  I then cut them out and used foam tape to adhere the rose.  The sentiment is stamped with Desert Sand.  These stamps are part of the Live Beautifully collection, shown above.  Using my Sizzix, I embossed White Daisy cardstock with the Happy Thoughts embossing folder.  Embossing is a great way to adds another element of dimension.  

If you have not used an embossing folder, I would like to share a little tip with you.  When you are using papers with a white core, which all Close to My Heart cardstock colors have, be sure to follow the grain of the paper.  If you emboss against the grain, you are more likely to crack the paper, allowing the white core to show through or even ripping the paper. Now, of course, if your intention is a distressed, shabby chic look, go right ahead!  However, if you want smoother embossing with little to no white core peeking through, emboss with the grain. So easy!

Not sure about the grain?  Well, no worries!  This is quite easy to do.  Just balance the paper on your fingers and observe how your paper naturally curves. The grain runs perpendicular to the arch.  If needed, mark the direction of the grain on your paper. Then, cut to the size you need, taking note of which way the grain runs.  Place your cut piece of paper inside the embossing folder, with the grain running vertically (toward the fold).  Place the folder between the plates, and run through the embossing/die cut machine.  Woo Hoo!  So easy!


Whether local or not, just let me know if you'd like to join in the fun of this Card Workshop, May 5 at 6:30 PM or May 6 at 10 AM.  I will be preparing extra kits "to go" while supplies last, as the Live Beautifully collection components are only available during National Scrapbooking Month, May 1-31.    

Along with the items mentioned above, I also used a Paper TrimmerNon-Stick Micro Tip ScissorsMy Acrylix BlocksTape Runner and  Foam Tape Adhesives.


Until next time --


Thank you so much for visiting!

I enjoy hearing from you!  Have a wonderful day!

Happy Papercrafting,

Gayle Piron

"Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing."
Story of a Soul, Chapter VIII

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

WHIMSICAL CARD TRIO!


Have you ever found yourself wishing you had a greeting card that's just a little bit whimsical on hand to send someone? Why not make some yourself?  

I absolutely love these adorable little critters and wanted to share them with you!  


This sweet little chickadee is such a fun character wishing the card recipient congratulations!  I love the raspberry accent color with the neutrals of black, white and whisper.  Look closely, and you'll notice I used just a touch of lemon as well.  


What playful colors surround our congratulatory turtle!  Absolutely delightful!  Whether someone was working on a task, lessons,or project, it often seems as though the finish line is so far off in the distance!  What a great card to extend your applause in a job well done!


The third card in our trio today is a simply sweet thinking of you card.  I stamped this little fellow with raspberry ink!  Yep! A raspberry fox!  How joyful!  I then colored him first with a bluish/gray pencil, and then with an orange/red combo overlay.  So fun!


Materials used creating this trio include:

Some Kinda Wonderful Cardmaking Bundle (Stamp & Thin Cuts) 
Whisper, Black, Raspberry & Lemon Inks
Some Kinda Wonderful Paper Pack
White Daisy Cardstock
Line It Up Stamp Set (this set is part of a Cricut bundle)
Black & White Dots
White Twine
White Cards & Envelope Value Pack
Watercolor Pencils


Tools include:
Paper Trimmer
Non-Stick Micro Tip Scissors
My Acrylix Blocks
Tape Runner & Foam Tape Adhesives
Big Kick by Sizzix

We'll be making these cards at an upcoming Card Workshop.  Whether local or not, just let me know if you'd like to join in the fun.  Until next time --

Thank you so much for visiting!

I enjoy hearing from you!  Have a wonderful day!

Happy Papercrafting,

Gayle Piron

"Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing."
Story of a Soul, Chapter VIII





Friday, April 7, 2017

ANNOUNCING 24-HOUR FLASH SALE!!!


Until next time --

Thank you so much for visiting!

I enjoy hearing from you!  Have a wonderful day!

Happy Papercrafting,

Gayle Piron

"Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing."
Story of a Soul, Chapter VIII 

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Words of Wisdom Wednesday



I found this quote years ago, clipped it, and have always kept it in mind.  It is so true!  I've always loved to think of all the wonderful gifts God has given to each of us!  In turn, what we do with these gifts, is our gift to Him! So, to use our talents to their fullest, let's not be afraid to try something new!

This page is created using Sea Glass, Sapphire, and White Daisy Cardstock, as well as the Gold Foil Swiss Dot paper from the Hello Lovely paper pack.  

I used the Quatrefoil Embossing Folder to add dimension to the Sea Glass.  My little flags were cut using the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  
It was adhered to the Sea Glass with Twine from the Rustic Home Fundamentals Ribbon Pack.  Of course I added a touch of Bitty Sparkles for bling!  


This little page is now included in my Words of Wisdom - Blush Mini Album.  
Let's live our lives to the fullest!    

Until next time --

Thank you so much for visiting!

I enjoy hearing from you!  Have a wonderful day!

Happy Papercrafting,

Gayle Piron

"Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing."Story of a Soul, Chapter VIII 

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Where Are Your Photos?  

Welcome!  I'm so glad you've stopped by!  Today I'm going to show you a super fast, simple and easier way to get your photos onto beautiful pages and into albums.  




I made these pages in minutes!  Woo Hoo!  Aren't they pretty?  This beautiful layout is made with the Forever & Always Cut Above kit.   I arranged the title sentiment to read "Always & Forever."  I love the beautiful gold foil stickers!  The flowers and doily halves are pre-cut die-cuts.  Faster! Simpler! Easier!

With the ease of being able to snap photos at a moment's notice, I know that I am guilty of having a multitude of photos lurking about in my camera, phone, computer, not to mention those still in boxes. 


Depending on the time available, I regularly implement a variety of scrapbooking methods.  I love making traditional and fundamental pages, as well as simply slipping photos directly into pocket sleeve protectors. Now, I'm thrilled to add Cut Above™ layout kits to my albums!  These are awesome whether you are a seasoned crafter or just beginning your memory keeping journey.

Currently, Close to My Heart has two designs—Little One and Forever & Always available.  During April, you will save 50% on these Cut Above™ layout kits!  As you can see, they are designed to make YOUR memory keeping easier than ever. 

Each layout kit includes:

 • Two 12" x 12" printed base pages
 • Die-cut paper pieces
 • Title and embellishment stickers
 • 12 coordinating pocket cards
 • Two 12" x 12" Memory Protectors™
 • Two pocket-style Memory Protectors™

Simple assembly suggestions to create your beautiful two-page layout in minutes are included.  Add even more memories using the coordinating pocket cards and pocket Memory Protectors included in the kit.  I think you’re going to love how quickly you can preserve your memories with Cut Above.



All you need to complete your kit are your photos and adhesive!  Faster-Simpler-Easier!  Woo Hoo!  As you know, I am a firm believer in noting the who, what, where and when of the memories you are keeping.  So, you'll want a good journaling pen to do this as well.  

Now that you've made your beautiful keepsakes, where do you keep them?  I use My Legacy™ Albums.  I love the variety of colors available!  I also love that I can purchase extra Memory Protectors, many in a value pack, and Flip Flaps, in many styles to add even more pages. Woo Hoo!  

Let's get our photos into albums to enjoy!  Let me know how I can help you!  

Until next time --
Thank you so much for visiting!

I enjoy hearing from you!  Have a wonderful day!

Happy Papercrafting,

Gayle Piron

"Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing."
Story of a Soul, Chapter VIII